UK made 1u power amps

[franzbassist]

While looking for a lightweight (<10lbs), shallow (no more than 10" deep), ideally 1u power amp to run with my Demeter preamp and Euphonic Audio CXL112 and NL210 cabs. I've found two UK makes that seem interesting.

I like the idea of buying British-made amps, but before I do, I was wondering if anyone has any experience of these amps?

[b]PROAUDIO[/b]
I first spotted these on [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120565785823&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]eBay[/url], and I have to say they look great in terms of power, weight and size.

[b]McGREGOR[/b]
The [url="http://www.mcgregoramps.co.uk/amplifiers.html"]SA500[/url] could be okay, but at only 175 watts stereo at 8 ohms it may be a bit underpowered unless I take both cabs to a gig?

I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts. I appreicate a £200 amp isn't going to perform like a more expensive amp, but these may be a cost effective option if they are reliable.

Cheers

Gareth

[Toasted]

Those proaudio amps certainly seem to have the right spec!

[Ian Savage]

Class D (who seem to be tied in with the ProAudio brand somehow) haven't got a bad reputation for a young company, I might try some of their speakers myself - however, the power figures in that eBay listing are meaningless as it doesn't say whether they're RMS, program, peak or what. If they're RMS (and properly measured) that's a stupid amount of amp for the money, if they're peak (which in itself is meaningless really, as it's just a measure of how good the power capacitors are), it could be total garbage outclassed by a 200W per side amp with 'proper' specs.

[Toasted]

Good call Mr.Savage. I have messaged them on ebay to ask.

[Alien]

[quote name='Ian Savage' post='830209' date='May 7 2010, 12:01 AM']Class D (who seem to be tied in with the ProAudio brand somehow) haven't got a bad reputation for a young company, I might try some of their speakers myself - however, the power figures in that eBay listing are meaningless as it doesn't say whether they're RMS, program, peak or what. If they're RMS (and properly measured) that's a stupid amount of amp for the money, if they're peak (which in itself is meaningless really, as it's just a measure of how good the power capacitors are), it could be total garbage outclassed by a 200W per side amp with 'proper' specs.[/quote]


Looking at their amp modules, the claimed power seems to be 4x the RMS power rating. The 4000W/4x1000W amp is apparently 4x250W RMS.

I don't know if the same applies to their pre built amps though. The transformer in that 1600W 1u amp looks pretty meaty though.

A

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='Alien' post='830239' date='May 7 2010, 02:27 AM']The transformer in that 1600W 1u amp looks pretty meaty though.[/quote]

Is that cause its been made really wide and flat?

[Dood]

I hope that isn't meant to be the '1600' watt version in the video. I will eat my shorts if that is meant to be 1600W RMS. Not with only 4 'ALFET's. I'm off to investigate...

[franzbassist]

I've created a monster!

[BassBod]

But wouldn't it be nice if there really was a good one? I've been carrying 2U amps and only using the power amp for years now...

[crez5150]

Sorry I've had real negative experiences with Class-D products in the past.... I would not recommend them

If you want a very well built 1 u amp for not a lot of money then try this - [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/D-A-S-Audio-PS-400-Powered-Stereo-Amplifier-Amp-VGC-/200372927322#ht_1029wt_941"]DAS Audio PS-400[/url]

I used these in the past and they are extremely reliable....

[Dood]

[quote name='crez5150' post='830393' date='May 7 2010, 09:49 AM']Sorry I've had real negative experiences with Class-D products in the past.... I would not recommend them

If you want a very well built 1 u amp for not a lot of money then try this - [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/D-A-S-Audio-PS-400-Powered-Stereo-Amplifier-Amp-VGC-/200372927322#ht_1029wt_941"]DAS Audio PS-400[/url]

I used these in the past and they are extremely reliable....[/quote]


I've just been reading very long threads on the DIYAudio forum about Class-D and their produce.. .

[crez5150]

[quote name='dood' post='830396' date='May 7 2010, 09:52 AM']I've just been reading very long threads on the DIYAudio forum about Class-D and their produce.. .[/quote]


What did you find Dood?

[Dood]

It's a long read

[url="http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-bazaar/128163-lateral-mosfet-amplifers-250w-2000w-rms-power-amplifier-modules.html"]http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-baz...er-modules.html[/url]
[url="http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-bazaar/128916-free-amplifier-modules.html"]http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-baz...er-modules.html[/url]

discaliamer: These are just a couple of threads I have read without anymore than 5 mins internet searching - and they are a bit out of date now - so I hope that things have changed for them and they have sorted out their QC and comms issues.



- my Cat could solder better than the examples shown of kit that the folk on the forum received.

[crez5150]

[quote name='dood' post='830410' date='May 7 2010, 10:00 AM']It's a long read

[url="http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-bazaar/128163-lateral-mosfet-amplifers-250w-2000w-rms-power-amplifier-modules.html"]http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-baz...er-modules.html[/url]
[url="http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-bazaar/128916-free-amplifier-modules.html"]http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-baz...er-modules.html[/url]

discaliamer: These are just a couple of threads I have read without anymore than 5 mins internet searching - and they are a bit out of date now - so I hope that things have changed for them and they have sorted out their QC and comms issues.



- my Cat could solder better than the examples shown of kit that the folk on the forum received.[/quote]



Hmmmmmm similar experience here

[Toasted]

Response:

[i]Hi Joe We don?t like doing it but we have to compete with the American and German manufactures who do not quote RMS as standard but Max/Peak power which is around 4x the true RMS value. Because its new technology using ALFET lateral mosfets don?t be deceived by the ratings this amp it will give any Chinese 1600watt amp a run for it's money. This amp is 250Watts RMS at 4Ohms a side and 160Watts RMS at 8Ohms a side. Its bigger brother the 3200 gave the CrownXTI4000 a run for its money it was as loud and was a better quality sound. Regards Peter.[/i]

Joe.

[crez5150]

[quote name='Toasted' post='830459' date='May 7 2010, 10:49 AM']Response:

[i]Hi Joe We don?t like doing it but we have to compete with the American and German manufactures who do not quote RMS as standard but Max/Peak power which is around 4x the true RMS value. Because its new technology using ALFET lateral mosfets don?t be deceived by the ratings this amp it will give any Chinese 1600watt amp a run for it's money. This amp is 250Watts RMS at 4Ohms a side and 160Watts RMS at 8Ohms a side. Its bigger brother the 3200 gave the CrownXTI4000 a run for its money it was as loud and was a better quality sound. Regards Peter.[/i]

Joe.[/quote]

Well I'm convinced.....

[franzbassist]

Well, I sold out in the end and picked up one of the new Peavey IPR1600 amps.


(image lifted off Talkbass)

It's a bit bling, but it is light (7lbs), plenty powerful enough for my needs, and very loud!

Edited May 10, 2010 by walbassist

[crez5150]

[quote name='walbassist' post='833173' date='May 10 2010, 04:06 PM']Well, I sold out in the end and picked up one of the new Peavey IPR1600 amps.


(image lifted off Talkbass)

It's a bit bling, but it is light (7lbs), plenty powerful enough for my needs, and very loud![/quote]



Oooooooooo priddy lights..........

[Dood]

[quote name='walbassist' post='833173' date='May 10 2010, 04:06 PM']Well, I sold out in the end and picked up one of the new Peavey IPR1600 amps.


(image lifted off Talkbass)

It's a bit bling, but it is light (7lbs), plenty powerful enough for my needs, and very loud![/quote]


I think, in the light of the responses read above - you made the right choice! - Tombboy sold me one of his Peavey power amps recently and have to say, I'm really impressed with it's capable output and fuctionality. I will probably use it as a spare now, as my Hartke rig has now arrived - but yeah, good on ya!

[franzbassist]

[quote name='dood' post='833378' date='May 10 2010, 06:23 PM']I think, in the light of the responses read above - you made the right choice! - Tombboy sold me one of his Peavey power amps recently and have to say, I'm really impressed with it's capable output and fuctionality. I will probably use it as a spare now, as my Hartke rig has now arrived - but yeah, good on ya![/quote]

Thanks Dan. Yes, I must say I've used a lot of Peavey heads over the year, mainly for PA but a couple of DPC1400Xs for bass rigs as well, and they've always been really reliable workhorses. My main requirement was something light, and at 7lbs this is perfect. Happy days!

[Dood]

[quote name='walbassist' post='833641' date='May 10 2010, 09:17 PM']Thanks Dan. Yes, I must say I've used a lot of Peavey heads over the year, mainly for PA but a couple of DPC1400Xs for bass rigs as well, and they've always been really reliable workhorses. My main requirement was something light, and at 7lbs this is perfect. Happy days![/quote]


Lots of power - not lots of weight! Sounds good to me! - AND pretty lights! Bonus!

[obbm]

Doesn't look very 1U to me.

[franzbassist]

[quote name='obbm' post='833778' date='May 10 2010, 11:23 PM']Doesn't look very 1U to me. [/quote]

Indeed no Dave, it isn't

As I said in the original post, the main criteria was a light and shallow amp; 1u was simply because I like the look of them. Fickle I know....

[RichardH]

I've been eyeing up those Peaveys for a little while. If only they had a variable sweep on the crossover I'm jump on 'em. Even so, might wait for the more powerful brethren to come out and see what the prices are like.

[cetera]

VERY tempting!
Only £295 from Thomann too!