Suitable power amp for F-1X > SF-2

[Ray Raydecker]

Hey now,

I have an F-1X and an SF-2 that I plan on using as a pre-amp set up and need to get a proper power amp.

I play a 1997 Series 1 but also play non-Alembic basses from time to time. 

I have a 2 X 10, an 8 X 10 and a 1 X 15.   

Any help to get me started on narrowing down this search would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you.

[StephenR]

Hi Ray... welcome to the club! If you get a chance please post a couple of pictures of your Series I (if I hadn't asked first someone else would have).

As far as power amps there are quite a few good choices out there. After years of using either BGW or Crest solid-state power amps I finally decided there was no longer a point in lugging around a 60+lb power amp but if you don't mind weight the used price on older amps has never been lower. I ended up replacing my Crest CA6 with a Crest ProLite 3.0 digital power amp that I have been very happy with, it weighs around 13lbs. To give you more targeted suggestions it would help if you let everyone know the power handling capabilities of your various cabinets and a sense of what kind of gigs you will be playing, size of rooms, whether you normally have FOH support. If you plan to use the crossover in our F-1x you will definitely need a stereo power amp.

[jazzyvee]

Hey, welcome to the club. I have a setup like you are considering. I previously had a QSC PLX 2402 which is 2400w into 2 ohms. I loved the sound clarity of that amp and it’s response was superb. AsA you know alembics have an incredibly fast and powerful attack and that was a great combination. However the weight made it less desireable to carry around for gigging so i replaced it with a Crown XLS1502 class D amp which is a great match too. I do feel it is not as good sounding to my ears. Less organic (warm sounding) probably but it is a compromise i can live with. For my small lightweight 3U rack i use a DS-5R an SF-2 as a preamp and Synq 1K0 power amp which gives 2x 540w into a 4ohm cab or 1080w into an 8 ohm load in bridge mode. But thankfully i don’t do gigs where i need a loud volume behind me but all of these class d amps still give me a great clean sound at all volumes and I am happy with the sound.

[Mark 63]

I use that rig into a QSC GX-7 into a Gentler 410-3. The GX-7 is clean and powerful, and it weighs less than 20 lbs in a rack case.

[cozmik_cowboy]

Hi, Ray - we're glad you're here!

I lurked on this forum for quite a while; I actually got around to joining because the 900th or so post asking this very question made it so I could my tongue no longer.  I will say now what I said then:

The only power amps I would spend my own money on are Yamaha - and I would only spend your money on something else if you absolutely insisted. 


Over 7 years as full-time professional soundman, plus a few years before and 36 years since as an occasional one, I have used Crown, Crest, Peavy, BGW, Traynor; just about everything.  Each adds its own coloration to the sound - except Yamaha, which just gives back exactly what you put in (except of course, a bunch louder.......).  Every one of them crapped out on me mid-gig - except Yamaha, which never once did (nor has any other soundman ever told of that happening to them).


Acoustically transparent and thoroughly bullet-proof; what more could you ask for in a power amp??
Well, OK, you could ask for it not to weigh more than the chick singer - but nothing's perfect.


Peter

[hammer]

I totally agree with Peter here on the Yamaha recommendation. I use one with an F1-X and SF-2 through two Phil Jones cabs and its the cleanest sound I’ve ever experienced. However, I also agree as to the weight limitation. The seven year old amp I use weighs 29 lbs. The newer Yamaha class D amps are about 10 lbs. lighter but mine is so clean and reliable that I’d have a difficult time justifying a replacement. Yamaha ages well - one of the stereo systems I have still uses a Yamaha power amp I purchased in college...in 1976 and it’s still going strong.

[keith_h]

I use QSC PLX series amps for both my bass rig and PA. My bass rig goes into one or two Bag End 2x10 and for many years one or two 1X18 ELF subs. I don't drag the subs around anymore (which are for sale by the way).