Delberthot Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 (edited) I'm really happy with my Shuttle and bought it for the weight but am very happy with the sound after much tweaking. I have always fancied getting myself a proper tube preamp like an Ampeg SVP or an SWR Grand Prix or something like that. What's out there in the poweramp department that's reasonably powerful and reliable but not really expensive? Rack mount preferrably and under £500. Edited May 14, 2009 by Delberthot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 i run my ampeg svp-pro into a soundtech ps802. the soundtech is 1U and weighs next to nowt and is 800W bridged. it's pretty much tone heaven for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 The market is certainly catching on with the likes of D-Class power amplification.. Another variant is H-Class. I'll spare the details but most get referred to as 'Digital' power amps. Technically, they aren't and whether or not you have a D Class amp with a linear power supply or a Switch Mode Power Supply, the results are more or less the same.. light weight, loud and efficient. I'll spare the details as to which configurations are best for different applications, but there is a ton of info' out on t'interweb. Errrmmm lemme seee now... BK Electronics [url="http://www.bkelec.com/Pro/Amplifiers/MXF1200D.htm"]http://www.bkelec.com/Pro/Amplifiers/MXF1200D.htm[/url] - This is a great company who supply lots of OEM stuff, so you're unlikely to know the name, but their amps go into a lot of PA gear for example. Powersoft are amazing but likely to be out of your price range.. but if you can find a second hand one (theres a couple on ebay) they are pretty much the best. QSC Crown Chevin I think Crest as well? not sure... There's a few to be getting on with.. but be aware, if you are looking for D Class / lightweight you will be expected to pay more than a linear/AB amplifier. If you can deal with 12Kg and want a cheap but awesome power amp, see if you can find yourself a Yamaha P series, such as the 3500, 5000 or the big 7000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Ahhh... smart.. someone has done the typing for me:- [url="http://www.audioholics.com/education/amplifier-technology/the-truth-about-digital-class-d-amplifiers"]http://www.audioholics.com/education/ampli...ss-d-amplifiers[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 I've seen that before and it is really informative. Helped me before buying my Shuttle I've had a look and there isn;t a lot of choice as regards digital switching amps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 I've found this but can't locate it on the KAM website [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360154562303"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=360154562303[/url] My band used a regular KAM amp to drive the top cabs for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanSpeeltBas Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Do you really want a seperate poweramp? Why not use a head like the Hevos 400D (http://www.hevos.nl/engels.html) - tube preamp with digital poweramp in one rackspace and VERY GOOD sounding. As for the preamps you mentioned: I consider the SWR Grand Prix not a [i]real[/i] tube preamp, though it's marketed as "all tube" it has only a single preamp tube. And IMO it just doesn't sound as good as other (SWR)stuff. Had one for years but prefered the sound of the Groove Tubes preamp of my SWR Studio 220 (also single tube stage!). But then again, I'm really not into that tube sound... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 [quote name='JanSpeeltBas' post='488565' date='May 15 2009, 09:55 AM']Do you really want a seperate poweramp? Why not use a head like the Hevos 400D (http://www.hevos.nl/engels.html) - tube preamp with digital poweramp in one rackspace and VERY GOOD sounding. As for the preamps you mentioned: I consider the SWR Grand Prix not a [i]real[/i] tube preamp, though it's marketed as "all tube" it has only a single preamp tube. And IMO it just doesn't sound as good as other (SWR)stuff. Had one for years but prefered the sound of the Groove Tubes preamp of my SWR Studio 220 (also single tube stage!). But then again, I'm really not into that tube sound...[/quote] Ahhh Hevos! I'd forgotten about them! I seem to remember them getting lots of interest on TalkBass.. I'm off to surf their site to see what updates they have. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 That Hevos gear looks good. Why is it that irrespective of what you have, eventually you start thinking about changing for no particularly good reason? There is nothing I can think of that is wrong with my Berg, and it's size and convenience is more or less unrivalled. Yet I still find myself looking at large cabs with separate power section, despite my dislike of carrying more than is necessary. Ugh... I hate gear, such a pain! Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 [quote name='mcgraham' post='488613' date='May 15 2009, 10:34 AM']That Hevos gear looks good. Why is it that irrespective of what you have, eventually you start thinking about changing for no particularly good reason? There is nothing I can think of that is wrong with my Berg, and it's size and convenience is more or less unrivalled. Yet I still find myself looking at large cabs with separate power section, despite my dislike of carrying more than is necessary. Ugh... I hate gear, such a pain! Mark[/quote] Yeah, the G.A.S phenomena! - I love my gear! Infact every 'configuration' I have owned I have loved in one way or another, yet I still pain myself looking at and trying to improve on what I have already! Grrrr!! My favourite rig, admittedly I sold on for 'health' reasons, but my latest incarnation of backline is pretty damn cool. i don't know! Is it that us bass players just cant be satisfied? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 I wouldn't call mine GAS per se, it's more a querying mind/thought process. I think part of me knows that practically it's better to have a small-ish size rig (for portability) and that what I have sounds great for so much stuff. Also, my current gigs don't require serious volume or uber-powerful or complicated gear. The Berg is practical and sounds great. Awesome plug'n'play factor. However, I'd love a big cab. No reason for it. Just a desire to have a big cab with a clean flat sound. Something that can get the lows with no effort. Alex's Big One is something that makes me wonder about that. However by virtue of the fact it's large, it's not small! Which destroys the portability factor. Also, I'd need a power/pre or head again. Which opens up another can of worms as to which one to choose. Again, just not worth the hassle when I already have such a great plug and play sound. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finbar Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 [quote name='dood' post='488170' date='May 14 2009, 06:57 PM']Powersoft are amazing but likely to be out of your price range.. but if you can find a second hand one (theres a couple on ebay) they are pretty much the best.[/quote] You made me remember I wanted one of these, and looked on ebay. I still can't afford £900 for a second hand power amp D: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 If I were you I'd use the power amp in your Shuttle and run any outboard preamps in through your FX return. However the Shuttle 6.0 has as much of a tube preamp as the SWR/Eden offerings - you'll need to look at Alembic, Demeter, BBE B-MaxT, Warwick Quadruplet, Aguilar, Ampeg, DHA, for some seriously tubey action. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 So does anyone have any view on this? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360154562303"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=360154562303[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Yeah.... Cheap crappy DJ sh*te! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 [quote name='dood' post='488170' date='May 14 2009, 06:57 PM']BK Electronics [url="http://www.bkelec.com/Pro/Amplifiers/MXF1200D.htm"]http://www.bkelec.com/Pro/Amplifiers/MXF1200D.htm[/url] - This is a great company who supply lots of OEM stuff, so you're unlikely to know the name, but their amps go into a lot of PA gear for example.[/quote] I spoke to them last week about it and BK have discontinued that amp because the power modules they use are no longer available. [quote name='crez5150' post='489455' date='May 16 2009, 01:12 AM']Yeah.... Cheap crappy DJ sh*te![/quote] I bought one of these, a Technical Pro DA-B3000, last week and its turned out to be an excellent purchase! Great sound, very clean, super flat response and hi-fidelity, bringing out a nice firm midrange in my basses. If you paired it up with a decent preamp that wasn't too scoopy (like a Demeter or Alembic F-1X), you'll have an outstanding value for money system. Looked too good to be true but it wasn't. [url="http://www.audiosavings.com/index.aspx"]The company[/url] also shipped it very efficiently and someone monitored progress of the shipment every day. Ped's got one that is the same design but a different brand name...so these amps get the Basschat Mods Choice seal of approval! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 [quote name='Crazykiwi' post='489520' date='May 16 2009, 08:01 AM']I spoke to them last week about it and BK have discontinued that amp because the power modules they use are no longer available. I bought one of these, a Technical Pro DA-B3000, last week and its turned out to be an excellent purchase! Great sound, very clean, super flat response and hi-fidelity, bringing out a nice firm midrange in my basses. If you paired it up with a decent preamp that wasn't too scoopy (like a Demeter or Alembic F-1X), you'll have an outstanding value for money system. Looked too good to be true but it wasn't. [url="http://www.audiosavings.com/index.aspx"]The company[/url] also shipped it very efficiently and someone monitored progress of the shipment every day. Ped's got one that is the same design but a different brand name...so these amps get the Basschat Mods Choice seal of approval![/quote] Blue and Red LEDs!!! what a refreshing change! Wow! I want one ha ha ha ha!!!! Thanks Steve, I'll take a look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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