Power Amps for Bass

[pasewark]

Recently I've been thinking about switching my bass setup back to a power amp and pre-amp. The last time I did that I used a Crest 4801 and an Alembic F1-X. I'm wondering what folks are using these days. I see the Crest amps can be had for $500 or less on EBay. I'm also thinking about a lighter weight Power Amp like one of the QSCs. Any comments or recommendations would be great!

[sonicus]

I really like Crest Power amps . I have a VS900  and a FA901 .  I played through a CA9 and fell in love with it as well !
 
  Wolf

[edwin]

Crests are still the gold standard for me. However, they are way too heavy for me to deal with now. I had a CA9 for a while and it was a revelation, but I couldn't hack hauling it around. If I had roadies, I'd use a CA9, if I had an unlimited budget, I'd play a 8200. If I had both, a McIntosh MC2500.  
 
 
As chance would have it, I am now playing a QSC, and have managed to violate the rule of loud, light and cheap. Pick two. I am using a CX120v, which is the install version of the top of the line Powerlight series 2. Something like 700 watts per channel 20-20khz at .05% distortion and 2000 watts into 8 ohms in mono. It was $175 on Craigslist, so those deals are out there. It's about 23lbs and sounds amazing. I did modify the inputs and outputs to make it a little more user-friendly, but that was just $30 in parts and a couple hours with a soldering iron.
 
Before that I was using a Crown XTi4000 and it was also very nice. Not quite as quick and deep as the QSC but very close and the DSP was actually very useful and being able to adjust via USB with a laptop was awesome. They have a new version out that seems somewhat upgraded. I give these the thumbs up.
 
As weird as it sounds, I wouldn't rule out the Peavey IPR 3000 DSP. They own Crest these days, so I'm sure there's a sharing of technology and they are super light weight.
 
So, I would just scour Craigslist and other sources like that and see what comes up. Since you are in the Bay Area, I'm sure there are great deals every week.

[edwin]

Oops. Somehow it posted twice.
 
(Message edited by edwin on February 26, 2013)

[JuancarlinBass]

I use sometimes a QSC GX5 power amp (unfortunately not with an FX-1 but a Yamaha PB-1 which I like very much) on biamp with the 2x15 EV and the 2x10 Mesa RoadReady. It's lightweight, versatile (Plug, RCA or XLR for input, post and speakon for output, can do filtering for biamp on separate channels, mono or mono bridge), and sounds quite nicely at a not too expensive price.

[afrobeat_fool]

I am now using a QSC GX7. I like it! Clean and powerful, it is a wonderful amp for both my Series Alembics and the old Starfire I recently purchased.  
 
   The reason I got the amp is due to the fact that the Starfire is stereo. I am using my SF-2 as a pre-amp and tonal enhancer. I could use more push from the Starfire, but that's cause the p-ups suck. For my Alembics, it's almost too much power. (who said that?)  
   
   I was able to cut 45 lbs out of my road case by using this amp, and as I am not getting younger, I can really dig that!
 
Previously I was lugging around Hughes and Kettner Bass Bass 600's
 
Nick

[cozmik_cowboy]

OK, I tend to write a dissertation every time power amps come up, so this time I'll just say one word.
Yamaha.
 
Peter

[pasewark]

Hey Afro Beat,
What pickups are in your Starfire? Is it the single pickup model? You should try the Alembic Instrument cable that has the Blaster in it. They're really good.

[afrobeat_fool]

Sorry about the hijack! But.... They are the stock guild, post Bi-sonic. It is a dual p-up stereo from factory model. Edwin has offered me some really nice custom Barts to install in it, but I have been having family problems and haven't decided. Thanks, Edwin!
 
 I talked to Mica about several options, including a stereo blaster, but I am lagging on this one.

[bassman10096]

I can't claim to be a purist in practice - I humbly acknowledge the ultimate technical superiority of the lead sled, with its fantastic damping numbers, reliability and everything else.  However, since I have to carry what I buy, my pre-power rigs have focused on the best-possible lower weight candidates.  I've accumulated several of the original QSC PLX amps with great results.  
 
Then it happened... Crown released the ultralight XLS line, I racked an XLS 2500 (7 lb) with my Eden Nav and I never looked back.  It's served me very well (not to mention weighing less, rack included, than my Mesa M6).  Plenty of power, good sound, reliable, no danger of pulling my shoulder apart.  If I were gigging 10+ times/month, I'd consider a technical upgrade, but my rack sounds great with my Alembic and other basses.

[lidon2001]

I've been looking to get back to tubes, at least for a preamp, then came across this interesting piece if you like class d amps. Pricey but tempting.
 
Demeter Minnie 800

[edwin]

I've been looking at the class D amps and one thing that's disturbing to me is that the amp companies have gone back to some really meaningless specs. I'm sure the amps sound fine, but for instance, the XLS 2500 claims 440wpc at 8 ohms but that's only at 1khz. Then, when they discuss frequency response, it's 20hz to 20khz +0db/-1db but that's only at 1 watt. So, the power levels at bass frequencies could be much less. It's also unclear if these are RMS levels or peak levels. It seems like amp companies were trying to be a lot clearer about what their products could do up until about 10 years ago. Again, I'm not saying that these aren't fine sounding amps, it's just really misleading for them to publish these kinds of specs, especially for us bass players who want to know what the amps can do where it takes the most work to get the power we need.

[peoplechipper]

Something to remember about these class D amps; if they're about the size and weight of a pedal, they're just as easy to lose or be stolen at a gig...Tony

[edwin]

Ha ha! I can just imagine someone reaching up to the stage to grab a Crest 9001 and trying to take off for the door!

[5a_quilt_top]

:-)
 
su-PRISE!