Author Topic: Recommended pairings with Alembic preamps? (Read 638 times)

notfadeaway · « **on:** June 18, 2012, 05:17:43 PM »

Hi folks, I am in the process of getting an Alembic preamp. Do you pros recommend a power amp that pairs well with either the F1X or Superfilter? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

edwin · « **Reply #1 on:** June 18, 2012, 06:41:47 PM »

My favorites for sound are McIntosh and Crest. However, there are more portable options. These days I'm using the install equivalent of the QSC PL2 and it's great. I also used a Crown XTi4000 (see classifieds) which worked very well and is very versatile, in terms of the DSP.

In this day and age, most modern power amps that aren't the cheapest series in a brand do very well.

notfadeaway · « **Reply #2 on:** June 18, 2012, 09:05:14 PM »

Thanks edwin... Food for thought. I remember Crest from the old days. True lead sleds weren't they? Could you elaborate more on what using the install equivalent means. Not sure I understand that part. Thanks so much.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #3 on:** June 18, 2012, 10:28:41 PM »

I've found QSC PLX2402 very good and clean with loads of headroom. But I haven't gigged with it a great amount or played at loud volumes and the sound quality is extremely good at low volumes and from a noise point of view i've found it very quiet.
I use it with F1-x and sf-2
http://www.qscaudio.com/products/amps/plx/plx.htm

Jazzyvee

dnburgess · « **Reply #4 on:** June 18, 2012, 10:53:23 PM »

Jazzy - I tried an F1X with a few QSC poweramps over the years - and I never found them as loud as their rated outputs would seem to suggest. I put it down to switchmode amp watts being subjectively different to normal solid state amp watts in a similar way that solid state amp watts are different to valve amp watts.

The same might be said for the new generation micro bass heads. They just don't seem to be particularly loud for their rated output. e.g. An all valve 100W amp will take your head of - but a 300W switchmode, not so much.

I wonder whether others have the same experience?

edwin · « **Reply #5 on:** June 18, 2012, 11:58:44 PM »

The install version means that it came with screw terminal inputs and outputs and is designed to run at 70V or 130V for running long chains of transformer isolated speakers. A lot of amps set up for this won't really work that well for bass (or PA) work, but the QSC CX1202V is essentially a Powerlight 236 Series II. All I needed to do was drop in the Speakon output connectors and 1/4 inputs and I was good to go. The circuit boards in the amp were all set to install them. So, at 700 watts per channel at 8 ohms, it's plenty powerful and the low end is incredibly present. It's pretty close to the Crest CA9 lead sled I was using.

I have used a PLX 2402 in the past and it never felt like it gave me the bottom end at concert levels that other amps have. The CX1202V is a switch mode amp, but it seems to really deliver. I think there is a performance difference between the Powerlight and PLX series. Maybe the new PLX series are better.

pierreyves · « **Reply #6 on:** June 19, 2012, 12:29:37 AM »

the best choice I never had: CARVIN DCML 3800 6kg (!!) et 2 X 1200 Watts @ 4 ohms and not expensive, about 900?, sheaper in USA
http://www.batraciens-reptiles.com/rack3.jpg
light weight, no heat, no noise, perfect and great sound

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #7 on:** June 19, 2012, 06:34:07 AM »

Your turn, Wolf.

Peter

notfadeaway · « **Reply #8 on:** June 19, 2012, 06:46:31 AM »

Keep the ideas coming please. I gotta figure out something fairly quickly.

mtjam · « **Reply #9 on:** June 19, 2012, 07:18:37 AM »

I recently bought an F1-X and found myself wondering what power amp to get. I read about how I could connect the preamp to my Eden's effects return, bypassing the Eden's preamp and just using the power section of the bass head I already owned. I have found this works great and it saved me the expense of buying a power amp in addition to the F1-X. This also gives me the option of using the Alembic preamp with either of my Eden heads, or my Carvin combo (which also has an effects return). This is the sound I have been seeking for many years! Furthermore, I put the F1-X in a rack bag, which keeps it lightweight and very portable.

Since I got the F1-X, I have used it every time I play my basses. It has really added to the tonal flexibility of my Alembics, and brought new life to the passive basses I have played less and less since becoming an Alembic owner.

You could give this a try, but if you are determined to go with a pre and power amp setup, the suggestions here are excellent. My ultimate setup would be, like Edwin recommends, a McIntosh or Crest power amp with the F1-X. I am assuming you are a huge Lesh fan like myself, and I'm sure such a setup would bring you closer to that sound if you wanted it. Enjoy that F1-X; I know I really like mine!

notfadeaway · « **Reply #10 on:** June 19, 2012, 07:33:57 AM »

Yes, I am getting the F1X. Yes, I am a huge Lesh fan. Just look at my username! Love your username too!

notfadeaway · « **Reply #11 on:** June 19, 2012, 07:43:40 AM »

I am also going to be using the SF2, if that changes anything...

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #12 on:** June 19, 2012, 08:10:31 AM »

I second the Carvin recommedation.

notfadeaway · « **Reply #13 on:** June 19, 2012, 08:45:00 AM »

What do you guys know about old Carver amps? I have read that they pair well with the F1X.

hammer · « **Reply #14 on:** June 19, 2012, 12:07:34 PM »

I'm certainly no expert in this area but based on my personal experiences a lot of this is dependent on: (a) the venues at which you will be playing; (b) the cabs you are going to use and how much power they need;(c) how much $$$/Euros you have available; and (d) how strong a back you have (unless of course you have your own roadies to do the heavy lifting). I use a Yamaha 7000s which in bridged mode provides more than enough power to drive my Phil Jones cabs and I picked it up used for just under $500. Now I'm not going to playing in any stadium venues, but the Yamaha provides clean sound, it doesn't weigh that much, and is powerful enough for me to be heard in just about any situation. If I had to make one recommendation I'd say that it's a lot better to buy as much clean power as you can afford than to end up under powered and in search of another/additional power amp.