Greetings,
  Looking to gain info on the most effective power amps to use w/ the F-1X pre amp. I use several cabinet configurations ( 2-12, 1-15, 4-10). I figure the max output is 1000 watts
Thanks,
Free

I use a Crest ProLite3 with my F2B in stereo- it's a bit heavy but it's bullet proof.

I use Stewart World Amps. 1.2k for the main's and a 2.1k for the subwoofers. A bit heavy but I never warmed up to the Class D amplifiers.

Quote from: hdfixer on March 18, 2026, 04:54:18 PM
I use a Crest ProLite3 with my F2B in stereo- it's a bit heavy but it's bullet proof.

After 40+ years of lugging around BGW and Crest amps I find the 14lb weight of the ProLite 3.0 to be very tolerable. As far as Class D amps go it sounds really good but with a bit less weight to the sound than my analog amps had. Still have a Crest CA6 here that I really need to part with. It has been years since I retired it, that was a great amp for bass the CA9 even better and the old Yamahas were really good, too.

There are a ton of power amp choices of all shapes and sizes these days due to the Class D amps. Your choice may depend on whether you prefer a Class D, traditional solid state or tube amp.

I have the Crest ProLite 3.0 and Crown XLS 2502 paired with a F-1x or F-2B, both are comparable with plenty of power and both are nice amps.  Although I pretty much just play jazz now and my Walter Woods amp is perfect for that.

I have been pairing my alembic preamps with the Crown XLS series power amps for about 10yrs or so. No issues. I did have a 1U Synq class D, as my main amp until that failed last autumn. These amps are shallow rack so quite light to me sound great.

My F-1X rarely leaves the home rack, where it's paired with half of a Mackie M1400i, which I purchased because it was cheap.

If I do take the F-1X out of the house, it's paired with some lightweight class D power amp, I can't remember what kind, I haven't opened that road case since I moved 5 years ago.  Usually I use a Carvin class D head.

For the gigs I do, no one is listening to my tone close enough to care all that much.

I use the Crown XLS power amp and F-2B with my Series I guitars, I prefer the sound I get out of that over combo amps.

I have had a lot of success with the Yamaha PX8. I use a lot of different cabinet configurations as well and you can dial the impedance for each channel easily from the front display for the DSP. Actually dial in anything easily with that amp. My favorite thing I discovered about the DSP is the limiter function is measured in wattage. Not a "1-10" dial so my 400 watt sub can be limited to that or 800 if I want to allow it to work at it's peak volume. No guess work. Oh, it's loud as hell too!

I've read great reviews of Yamaha gear. But they are a tad expensive this side of the pond.

I used QSC plx amps for years. I still have 4 or 5 of them just resting comfortably in racks since I switched to Phil Jones gear.

I previously used a QSC PLX series amp and loved it. I only sold it because I was finding that, in a rack with fx-1, SF-2, DS-5, leads and cables it was a pain to carry. Sound wise it sounded fuller than the current class D amps I currently use.

I forgot about QSC. I used to use a QSC-GX7 with an F-2B, reliable, good sound, plenty of power, but it was a bit heavy, so I switched to the lighter power amps I mentioned above.

Quote from: jazzyvee on March 20, 2026, 06:14:57 PM
I've read great reviews of Yamaha gear. But they are a tad expensive this side of the pond.

Well, I bought mine used from a friend at a "friendly" discount and still thought it was expensive for a power amp. I agree with you and just looked up the price from sweetwater! It's a nice amp but I would never invest $1000 US in a power amp new.

A friend of mine uses a Demeter Minnie 800D: https://demeteramps.com/product/minnie-800d/

I've generally been impressed with all the Demeter class-D stuff.