SWR Marcus Miller Preamp - anybody got one?

[JPJ]

Howdy folks,

Bit of a narrow question but, does anybody on here own an SWR Marcus Miller preamp?

I'm current using an SM1500 which is a little bit heavy for my ageing back. I love the sound/power of it though and wouldn't really want to compromise too much on that, so I'm thinking about replacing it with the SWR MM Preamp and a lighter weight power amp.

Before I push too far down this road, I'd like some advice from a MM user, hence the question!

[Mark Medlin]

i own one of those fella,
i want to use it with the swr 750 power amp but cant afford one just yet.
think the amplite might be the way instead,
i use mine through a tech21 landmark300 which i had first,love this amp.
overall bass tone really improved when i bought swr cabs over hartke.

mark

[warwickhunt]

Just to give you some options Kev... I have a Warwick Hellborg 1U rackmount preamp that you can borrow. I know it isn't 'exactly' what you want but it might be worth experimenting (I have a power amp to go with it but it isn't one of the uber-light ones).

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1345222389' post='1775246']
Just to give you some options Kev... I have a Warwick Hellborg 1U rackmount preamp that you can borrow. I know it isn't 'exactly' what you want but it might be worth experimenting (I have a power amp to go with it but it isn't one of the uber-light ones).
[/quote]

how is the Hellborg?

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1345222926' post='1775253']
how is the Hellborg?
[/quote]

Fabulous! I'm sitting noodling through it at the minute (coupled with my pair of DB12's and a 1200w power amp it is 'overkill' for a practice rig but... what the hell ) and it is a great bit of kit but then again so is the TF and unless I can find a very lightweight power amp (ideally 1U), the TF will remain my main amp!

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1345223165' post='1775255']
Fabulous! I'm sitting noodling through it at the minute (coupled with my pair of DB12's and a 1200w power amp it is 'overkill' for a practice rig but... what the hell ) and it is a great bit of kit but then again so is the TF and unless I can find a very lightweight power amp (ideally 1U), the TF will remain my main amp!
[/quote] very lightweight... but you don't like class D right? So you want a big transformer in a little box. Might look like this....

Edited August 17, 2012 by LukeFRC

[warwickhunt]

Peavey used to do a 1U light-weight power amp that wasn't class D; added to which I think it is manufacturers of bass amps building down to a budget which is what I personally think is giving the resultant tone that I don't like with those style of switching amps, I'm 'hoping' that a dedicated power amp may not have been built down to a price and as a result might give me what I want!

[JPJ]

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1345222389' post='1775246']
Just to give you some options Kev... I have a Warwick Hellborg 1U rackmount preamp that you can borrow. I know it isn't 'exactly' what you want but it might be worth experimenting (I have a power amp to go with it but it isn't one of the uber-light ones).
[/quote]

Cheers John, sounds like its time for a mini-bash round your place

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1345224257' post='1775270']
Peavey used to do a 1U light-weight power amp that wasn't class D; added to which I think it is manufacturers of bass amps building down to a budget which is what I personally think is giving the resultant tone that I don't like with those style of switching amps, I'm 'hoping' that a dedicated power amp may not have been built down to a price and as a result might give me what I want!
[/quote]

I know what you mean. I've been trolling around the interweb trying to find a decent power amp using this lightweight class D malarky that can put about 900w in 8 ohms 1500w in 4 ohms. Can't believe that there isn't a dedicated mono musical instrument power amp available like this.

If Orange can do a 1000w Terrorbass that is basically their front end in front of a B&O power amp module, surely somebody somewhere will have thought of using a similar amp module to produce a decent mono power amp?

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1345224912' post='1775281']
Cheers John, sounds like its time for a mini-bash round your place



I know what you mean. I've been trolling around the interweb trying to find a decent power amp using this lightweight class D malarky that can put about 900w in 8 ohms 1500w in 4 ohms. Can't believe that there isn't a dedicated mono musical instrument power amp available like this.

If Orange can do a 1000w Terrorbass that is basically their front end in front of a B&O power amp module, surely somebody somewhere will have thought of using a similar amp module to produce a decent mono power amp?
[/quote]
I guess most power amps aren't designed to be moved much, unlike musician's amp which have to be cleared on and off stage.

[warwickhunt]

I'm on hols for the next 2 weeks Kev so just give me a shout and I'll stick the kettle on... in fact I had Michael B round just yesterday and we were plonking on with a few things so I have my cabs and various amps set up in the living room!

Your also welcome to take the Hellborg away if you want to try it in a band environment.

[lee650]

I would truly love to try that hellborg system with my accugrooves ! I take it you gave the massive power amp too john?

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='lee650' timestamp='1345849959' post='1782526']
I would truly love to try that hellborg system with my accugrooves ! I take it you gave the massive power amp too john?
[/quote]

I've got a Hellborg pre and a QSC power amp and even though the QSC is rated @ 1200w (into x2 4 ohm loads) it isn't like you can tear your cones out of their baskets even with it on full... just ensure you don't fully crank the preamp output!

If you are visiting family and friends (and can hide the Accugrooves in the boot from SWMBO) and want to give it a blast just let me know.

[lee650]

Cheers John, that sounds great , just a thought for the OP I think Mick Butler (Bosshog) has Marcus miller pre, shoot him a PM