Best solid state rack power amp ?

[Eagle]

Change your name from Eagle to Albatross, because you're chasing something that does not exist.

As far as I know, the best rackmountable currently produced solid state power amp on the market is the PS700.

View attachment 32502

Other than that, it's the Matrix amps, which I do not think are made anymore.

If you want something affordable that sounds amazing, you could always go with a Rocktron Velocity 100 or 300 power amp, I still think those are amazing after all this time.

Otherwise it's Fryette or Synergy if you're going rack. The PS2 / PS100 from Fryette are low profile and rackmountable, but they are mono.

Or do what I do and go big - Mesa 2:90. It's the bomb, I've used it with all kinds of preamps and it's just awesome.

I have two matrix’s gt1000s and I got rid of a SD 700. The SYN 50 is not as good as the fryette to my ears even though Steve designed both.
But the old HH V800 is practically as good as. So I am chasing a modern solid state amp as good as the 40 year old one. That doesn’t sound unreasonable.

 

[Eagle]

maybe one of those rocktron velocitys

I wasn’t impressed, they sounded a bit small to me, lacking dynamics. I haven’t tried all models though but the ones you regularly see I have.

 

[Eagle]

Those noisy fans can usually be replaced with a nice quiet Noctua fan. The are the brown ones.

I think someone needs to tell Marshall
The dual monoblock amps sound like a small helicopter.

 

[Blix]

Also suggestions for a compact stereo mixer FX pedal size to convert the series loop to a parallel one.

 

[Eagle]

View attachment 32504

Only one return on the amp connection side. I need two. I know the fx send and return are stereo but nothing in the manual about the other.

 

[Blix]

Only one return on the amp connection side. I need two. I know the fx send and return are stereo but nothing in the manual about the other.

Ah stereo, I read too quickly. Then this little guy should do the trick probably

Micro Line Mixer | RJM Music Technology, Inc.

High quality 4 input line mixer with mono and stereo capability. Use it to create parallel and wet/dry/wet effect systems. Very compact, ideal for pedalboards!

www.rjmmusic.com

Or this:

Mini Line Mixer v2.0 – RedSeven Amplification | Boutique Amplifiers and Devices

www.redseven-amplification.com

 

[Eagle]

The mixer needs 1 in 2 out on the dry side.
And a separate 1 in 2 out for the fx in order to make a parallel stereo loop. I am probably missing something but I am only used to using rack mixers and they have multiple channels.

 

[Eagle]

The red seven looks like it has the right connections . Has anyone used one?

 

[Blix]

As you see the Red Seven fits the bill. Never tried one, but they are said to be top notch quality.

 

[Eagle]

I like the look of the gig rig wetter but less keen on using a stereo jack split to two monos . The feature set and other applications look great. Also gig rig stuff always delivers sonically.

 

[texhex]

Have you ever checked out any of the Crown amps? I’m using a DriveCore2 XLS1002 to power some HiFi speakers and for that application it is incredible. ZERO fan noise even when really pushing volume.

Crown XLS 2502

Meet the new XLS DriveCore™ 2 Series The next generation of XLS got a makeover with a sleek n...

www.crownaudio.com

I just ordered these Speakon to 1/4 inch adapters and will try driving a 8 or 4 ohm 4x12 this weekend to see how it does. The XLS1002 is a little low on power compared to the Matrix 1600 I usually use but I’ll bet the 1002 could easily handle a single 4x12 at 4 or 8 ohms.

NPAD - New Power Amp Day: Crown XLS 1002

So apparently I always have to learn things the hard way. I was running the volumes too low on my Matrix because I was afraid of cooking these new Polks. Guess what, I cooked the tweeters anyway. This is a good read if you have some time: Why Do Tweeters Blow When Amplifiers Distort? Basically...

thegearforum.com

 

[Blix]

Have you ever checked out any of the Crown amps? I’m using a DriveCore2 XLS1002 to power some HiFi speakers and for that application it is incredible. ZERO fan noise even when really pushing volume.

Crown XLS 2502

Meet the new XLS DriveCore™ 2 Series The next generation of XLS got a makeover with a sleek n...

www.crownaudio.com

I just ordered these Speakon to 1/4 inch adapters and will try driving a 8 or 4 ohm 4x12 this weekend to see how it does. The XLS1002 is a little low on power compared to the Matrix 1600 I usually use but I’ll bet the 1002 could easily handle a single 4x12 at 4 or 8 ohms.

NPAD - New Power Amp Day: Crown XLS 1002

So apparently I always have to learn things the hard way. I was running the volumes too low on my Matrix because I was afraid of cooking these new Polks. Guess what, I cooked the tweeters anyway. This is a good read if you have some time: Why Do Tweeters Blow When Amplifiers Distort? Basically...

thegearforum.com

You don't need the adapters, you can plug a regular 1/4" plug right into them.. :)

 

[texhex]

You don't need the adapters, you can plug a regular 1/4" plug right into them.. :)

The pics look like they are combo outs but they Speakon only. I’m so impressed with this amp though for what I’m using it for, I hope it sounds good through the cabs I have. I still like the Matrix but the fan is so annoying.

 

[Blix]

The pics look like they are combo outs but they Speakon only. I’m so impressed with this amp though for what I’m using it for, I hope it sounds good through the cabs I have. I still like the Matrix but the fan is so annoying.

Ah ok, looks exactly like the combo jacks. Would like to hear what you think, I've been looking at these before.

 

[Eagle]

Have you ever checked out any of the Crown amps? I’m using a DriveCore2 XLS1002 to power some HiFi speakers and for that application it is incredible. ZERO fan noise even when really pushing volume.

Crown XLS 2502

Meet the new XLS DriveCore™ 2 Series The next generation of XLS got a makeover with a sleek n...

www.crownaudio.com

I just ordered these Speakon to 1/4 inch adapters and will try driving a 8 or 4 ohm 4x12 this weekend to see how it does. The XLS1002 is a little low on power compared to the Matrix 1600 I usually use but I’ll bet the 1002 could easily handle a single 4x12 at 4 or 8 ohms.

NPAD - New Power Amp Day: Crown XLS 1002

So apparently I always have to learn things the hard way. I was running the volumes too low on my Matrix because I was afraid of cooking these new Polks. Guess what, I cooked the tweeters anyway. This is a good read if you have some time: Why Do Tweeters Blow When Amplifiers Distort? Basically...

thegearforum.com

It’s class D . I have yet to try it but I haven’t come across anything in class D that holds a candle to a V800.

 

[texhex]

It’s class D .

If you want a quiet amp it’s gonna be tough to beat a Class D.

 

[Blix]

There's also the Xli 1500, appears to be A/B and thus twice the weight. And no DSP.

Crown XLi 1500

Powerful. Reliable. Affordable. The XLI Series of power amplifiers from Crown® represents a new ...

www.crownaudio.com

 

[Eagle]

If you want a quiet amp it’s gonna be tough to beat a Class D.

Quiet as well.

 

[texhex]

Quite as well.

If you are in the US you can pick these up for about the same price as a boutique pedal (open box).

I'm gonna try it out this weekend on a few 4x12 and a 2x12 at different ohms. I forgot I could bridge this down to mono too.

 

[Eagle]

If you are in the US you can pick these up for about the same price as a boutique pedal (open box).

I'm gonna try it out this weekend on a few 4x12 and a 2x12 at different ohms. I forgot I could bridge this down to mono too.

I’m in the UK.