Poweramps

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Wooooops some info here!
To Nate:
of course I consider Glockenklang too. But my friends, even if they are less expensive here than in the US, they are STILL expensive.
An example: I found out that a QSC-PLX 1202 is about 1000 ? (let's assume that $ = ?) retail price and the Glockenklang Bugatti (2x)300 is about 1 900?. The reports I got from friends and press about the Glockenklang are unanimously good to excellent. The problem I have is: do I have to spend TWICE the amount of money to something that in fact can be considered as a workhorse (i mean no offense with that) together with more valuable elements in the rig to come as the F1-X and the SF-2.
I got an offer from Americanaudio for the V1500 who is also 2x300, 1 unit high and sells for 500?!!!!
I start this discussion now not because I'm in such an urgent mood to spend the money but I want to be informed well BEFORE I make any move!
Thanks a lot friends for sharing the info.
 
Paul
 
PS1: I'll check the Ashdown stuff too.
PS2: Nate, I realize but recently that Glockenklang is REALLY high priced in the US. Brother Mikey (Pookeymp) tested the Quattro on my advice. He was knocked out by the sound but definitely by the price too!

[gale barchus (gbarchus)]

Damping factor is the ability of the amplifier/speaker system to control the movement of the speaker. The main effect of damping is to reduce the SPL produced by the loudspeaker's diaphragm moving because of its own inertia after the signal stops. Low damping factor can be perceived as boominess. Speaker cables can affect damping. Please correct me, if I'm wrong.

[Hartmut Engel (haddimudd)]

I was wondering, what's the word on Mackie Poweramps? Since they seem to be mainly manufactured for PA systems I keep seeing them in ads being used for bass setups as well. Is there any reason to stay away from non-bass-amp manufacturers?
 
Thanks!
 
Hartmut

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Thanks Gale for the input.
Is the damping factor something you can read from specs so you can compare?
 
Hi Hartmut,
I first went to see your bass again on the february 99 custom-of-the-month.
Man ...that's amazing. I hope you can handle that much guitar (no offence with that but ...an Almebic is already something to master but ...THAT Alembic ...wew).
Until know I received an answer to your question from onde dealer over here in Belgium. He said that  that for good and clear bass amplification you need power. Not necessary volume but power. The new PA-amps (read power amps) used in dancings, studio's etc... are used to handle a wide range of tone, something you have also when you play bass. Certainly an Alembic because the tonal range in these basses (our basses!!) goes from a crispy high to a thunderous low. In combination with preamps (f.i. F1-X ) and EQ or filters (f.i. SF-2) and the right speakers you can have the whole tonal spectrum between them.
I guess we don't really need the 3K-4K or 5K stuff but I've seen now the QSC-PLX 1602 and he delivers 2 x 300W with 8ohms and that fits perfect my Glockenklang spekaer set up. What I will BUY in the end I don't know yet. I'll keep you all posted.
 
Paul

[Hartmut Engel (haddimudd)]

Hey Paul,
 
Thanks for the answer. So where exactly does that put my Meckie related question? Does that mean that ANY non-bass-specific PA is top notch or rather just an average subsitute for what bass manufacturers do offer. From your answer I am tempted to even think with an Alembic we would RATHER get those non-bass-specific (man, what is the proper word for that?) PA for the full tonal range rather than one created for average basses in particular.  
 
I am still confused.
 
Paul, regarding my double neck: It is not that hard to handle, to be honest. OK, it weighs (almost 20 lbs), so I am still keeping my eyes open for the perfect back-reliefing strap-system on this cruiser (I was thinking towards something hip attached rather than shoulder attached - maybe similar like a steady-cam harness as used in the film industry, only less complicated, but at least to put the weight to the hips and away from the back). However, in the practical world I am mostly playing the bass on my lap in a sitting position, and it is great for that! When built, many effort was made to reshape the body to a usable size without loosing the original character. I am amazed to say this double neck playes wonderfully in lap position, since the fretted 4-string neck is way up like I would use it for slapping anyways and the fretless 6-string is as low as is very comfortable for finger style. So it is not hard to handle this much guitar at all :-) and very nice to being able to switch between fretted & frettless during a song.
 
Nevertheless, just to cover both extremes my next Alembic will be a small, small, small short scale. Don't ask me WHEN that will be :-)
 
Thanks for your nice comment!
 
Hartmut

[Edwin Hurwitz (edwin)]

Hartmut,
      I just upgraded from a Mackie 1400 to a QSC PLX2402. People keep telling me that I am playing better, but the reality is that I can finally hear what I want to hear for the first time since I quit using what I had before the Mackie (CM Labs). Mackie amps have a lot of positive qualities, but they really don't have what it takes to power a bass rig. Not only is the QSC 15 lbs lighter, it just sounds a lot better. It's an incredible combination with the F2B.
 
Edwin

[Hartmut Engel (haddimudd)]

Thanks Edwin! That was very usefull info to me.
 
Hartmut

[gale barchus (gbarchus)]

Paul,
 
Bass Player magazine did a shootout of 12 power amps (under $1500) about 5 years ago. Damping factor was one of the categories compared.
 
Gale

[Jerome Edwards (jerome)]

I just bought a Crown PT1.1 and I love it.

[palembic]

Hi friends,
 
my original thread was in november 2002. This message just to say that I bought a Dynacord L-1000 poweramp.
I heard the amp at work in non-bass situations and received a lot of good critics about it from the professional PA-people.
It was not too expensive (about 600$) via E-bay.
Alas ...it will take me some more months before I can give you all a playing report because the saving program for the F1-X is nearly finished except ...the F1-X is not found yet. (The SF-2 and DS5-R are done).
I know I can work with the SF-2 alone and go to the Power-amp but (tss-tss) I'd like to work with the complete set-up.
Thanks anybody who answered this thread.
 
Paul
 
PS: Dynacord is German. I heard it's in someway mixed up with Electrovoice. A sound-salesman I know over here siad bluntly: for amps is Electrovoice and Dynacord the same thing ()

[palembic]

I started this thread and I will end this too.
Yesterday-veneing I used the Dynacord L-1000 together with my secondhand F1-X on rehearsel.
oooh-myyyy-go-oo-od!
My brothers and sisters this IS great.
I play in Bi-amp (crossover from the F1-X) and the sound is EXTREMELY thight and direct.
The set-up really matches well my Glockenklang speakers (quattro and uno). I'll start another thread as soon that I can post pictures of the complete new rack (well...euh...new...it's mostly second and third hand) and give you some experience feetback.
 
May I thank you all for helping me.
The F1-X is EXTREMELY simple in use and EXTREMELY nice in tone.
Although the Dynacord L-1000 has just a damping factor of more than 300 (QSC has more than 500) I find the amp quick responding.  
 
Paul the bad one (and VERY happy)
 
PS: about the Electrovoice thing: Electrovoice and Dynacord joined their research dep's. The Electrovoice amps are using partly teh Dynacord technology.