Author Topic: Recommended pairings with Alembic preamps? (Read 620 times)

notfadeaway · « **Reply #15 on:** June 19, 2012, 02:47:13 PM »

Everything is in flux for me now. I got the Alembic bass, then preamp and superfilter. I have a decent cabinet for practice, but none for gigs anymore. Right now I want to aim for enough juice for small venues. I have played the Phil Jones stuff and loved it. Out of my price range for now. Just going to get some sort of power amp. Hammer's advice about buying as much clean power as affordable will be taken to heart. How much is overkill? I see some power amps with unbelievably high specs.

sonicus · « **Reply #16 on:** June 19, 2012, 04:57:44 PM »

HI friends ,
This is a popular topic here and has been discussed a few times ; My comments are in these old threads. ( sorry , I am too tired right now to write any new reviews) http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/129915.html?1335704373

Wolf

sonicus · « **Reply #17 on:** June 19, 2012, 05:01:18 PM »

More !

notfadeaway · « **Reply #18 on:** June 19, 2012, 05:04:57 PM »

Thanks sonicus!

sonicus · « **Reply #19 on:** June 19, 2012, 05:21:17 PM »

You are welcome , There might be a local deal on an older gem just around the corner!

notfadeaway · « **Reply #20 on:** June 19, 2012, 05:28:43 PM »

I have sure been combing CL and trying to make some trade deals with folks on other lists I haunt.

hieronymous · « **Reply #21 on:** June 19, 2012, 06:44:14 PM »

I don't have much to offer - I don't have much experience using my Alembic pres live, though I've done it. In rehearsal I've used my F-2B with the power amp section of my Glockenklang Soul Head with pretty good results. One thing I don't like is that when you do it that, way all the controls on the Glock are diabled, so no master volume - it's controlled via the F-2B's volume knob. Not necessarily a bad thing, just catches me off-guard.

What I wanted to say is that when my band opened for Edwin's band Shockra back in the early-'90s, I was blown away by his sound. He let me play through his rig, and I thought, THIS is the way it's supposed to be! I'm almost certain it was an Alembic preamp through some power amp - blew me away! And I'm sure he has kept tweaking the rig through the present day! (Wolf's setup ain't bad either - he's kind enough to bring it to the Alembic Gatherings.)

essenceman · « **Reply #22 on:** June 20, 2012, 05:58:55 AM »

I've been using a Yamaha P5000s since 2006 with my F1-X SF-2 combination. It sounds great and has never given me any trouble. I use a couple of old, small EA cabs - the 1x10 and 2x8. Wonderful sound.

notfadeaway · « **Reply #23 on:** June 20, 2012, 06:03:55 AM »

Thanks essenceman. I also have an EA Wizzy 12M right now... Love it.

David Houck · « **Reply #24 on:** June 20, 2012, 01:31:08 PM »

I use the QSC PLX2402, and it has been sufficient for my needs. You mentioned Carver amps, I have two PM-900s (that I would like to let go of) (manual pdf) and when Art comes over he plays through my F-1X into a PM-900. He hasn't brought his bass over in a while, but my recollection is he sounded great (but then he's playing an Alembic).

jbybj · « **Reply #25 on:** June 20, 2012, 03:45:20 PM »

QSC amps have a rep of being very reliable and sturdy. I have no complaints for my PLX 1602, in service for about 4 years, casual use, with an F1-x and an SF-2. It has been driving a single Eminence 3015 and an Epifani UL-112 in mono bridged mode (4 ohms). This rig is LOUD, clean, simply delicious.

I just swapped it out of my rack for a Peavey IPR-3000 (7lbs under $500 new) and my rack instantly lost 14 lbs. This weekend will be my first jam with the Peavey. I'm hanging on to my QSC just in case, but I look forward to loading my new lighter rack.

Some times though, I choose to leave that stuff at home, and drag out my old Traynor YBA-1A, when I'm feeling manly........

notfadeaway · « **Reply #26 on:** June 20, 2012, 04:09:09 PM »

I have been eyeing one of those Peavey IPR3000. Know what you mean about dragging the old Traynor out. Sold my YBA1, but miss it. I have a Marshall Super Lead when I want that sound. Looking for something lighter and with more oomph.

jimbobv · « **Reply #27 on:** July 19, 2012, 07:50:03 PM »

I started out with the F1-X + Crest FA-901 (turn power amp all way up - 10) running in bridge mode, driving an SVT 810. Plenty of volume.
I added a Superfilter, and switched to the Crest CA-6 - again bridged-mode into an 810, turn the Crest all the way up. Oodles more volume. Other than the occasional blown fuse, no thermal issues were experienced. My EDEN WT-800 regularly ran into thermal shutdown so I off-loaded that.
Now I've completed my 'run-in' with a Mesa 400+, and will use the F1-X + Superfilter pre setup going into the tube power section of the 400+. I'll give it the workout on the 810, then try it out on bag-end 1-15's - 2 or 4 of those.
I've not been afforded the opportunity yet to try the MacIntosh.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #28 on:** July 20, 2012, 12:20:58 AM »

Thats interesting Jimbobv, turning the power amp all the way up. Is that the best way to run a power amp to get the best sound?
I tend to have my about a third of the way open.

I'd be concerned about tearing the speakers into oblivion.
But I will try that and gently play to hear what the difference is.

Jazzyvee

jimbobv · « **Reply #29 on:** July 20, 2012, 08:14:17 PM »

Try with caution - square waves kill!

- my understanding is the FA- and CA- Crests run extremely clean with little distortion driving a 2 ohm load, plus I understand that you get the added headroom by running them full on - so as they say turn them up to 11. I tried it and liked it, cool factor aside. I drove the A***g 810 like that for about 2 years on 100+ gigs, replacing 2 of the 8 speakers in that time - one was coil damage, the other the magnet structure actually de-bonded from the frame. The Crests would rarely clip per the LED's on the front. Main bass is a Modulus TBX with Alembic pups with a touch of overdrive and a touch of compression.

I'm not sure about driving the all-tube boogie that way but will give it a shot. If the power amp is not relatively clean, i.e. more distorted, it will clip, resulting in square waves which will shred your speakers.