Stereo Power Amp options

[CorrosiveMatter]

I am not totally against a large poweramp but I had bought a Seymour Duncan powerstage to stay somewhat smallish but the output jacks just fell out, took the top off and the jack just fell apart inside? Jack, washer and nut just came out. Looks super poor quality to me?

Anyway I called the RMA line.. have to call back a dozen times because you go on hold for maybe 20-30 seconds and it tells you they are all busy call by later... and anyway long story short a RMA could be done but it's 6-8 weeks. They either have so much RMA work it's scary or 1 guy trying to do it all. If I made a living with a PowerStage i'd be looking for a backup or something else for sure.

I will fix it myself but it made me think how Stereo could be so much fun!

Anyone have smallish stereo power amp sugestions that are not like something from a kids toy quality?

I have seen a ton of smallish non stereo but mostly just the big rack units when stereo.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Badonkey Kong]

Anecdotally, I've had my SD Powerstage 200 for a few years now, no issues like yours... Was that used/abused?

 

[CorrosiveMatter]

Anecdotally, I've had my SD Powerstage 200 for a few years now, no issues like yours... Was that used/abused?

Brand new. Like 11 days old. Maybe a defect because when I plugged it in I thought it felt a bit loose.

 

[MadMaxG79]

I've been watching the stereo power amp space for a while now and there's not a lot of options.

There is the Seymour Duncan PowerStage 100, but I can't blame you for not wanting to go that route...

I've seriously considered just getting something like a Mesa 50:50 or a 2:90 or a Marshall EL84 20/20.

The cheapest option would probably be getting a regular Class D rack power amp or two small bass amps such as the TC Electronic BAM200 or Warwick Gnome. I have the BAM200 which I use to run one side of my stereo signal, typically the very wet side, into my 2x12 stereo cab. The other signal is coming from a tube amp head.

 

[laxu]

If it's for running a modeler, I'd go for a stereo poweramp that allows you to control the volume of both sides with one knob. Otherwise it would be pretty annoying trying to balance the sides when you just wanted to adjust volume up/down. Unless you just do it from your modeler instead.

Definitely not a whole lot of options there, I'd probably look at PA poweramps which will all be rack format.

 

[MTB1973]

I am using one of these. I would definitely try one out if you have an opportunity.

 

[HotRats]

I am not totally against a large poweramp but I had bought a Seymour Duncan powerstage to stay somewhat smallish but the output jacks just fell out, took the top off and the jack just fell apart inside? Jack, washer and nut just came out. Looks super poor quality to me?
View attachment 52066

Anyway I called the RMA line.. have to call back a dozen times because you go on hold for maybe 20-30 seconds and it tells you they are all busy call by later... and anyway long story short a RMA could be done but it's 6-8 weeks. They either have so much RMA work it's scary or 1 guy trying to do it all. If I made a living with a PowerStage i'd be looking for a backup or something else for sure.

I will fix it myself but it made me think how Stereo could be so much fun!

Anyone have smallish stereo power amp sugestions that are not like something from a kids toy quality?

I have seen a ton of smallish non stereo but mostly just the big rack units when stereo.

Thank you in advance.

mmm sound like a one time issue there, very annyoing but I don't think you should worry about it.

I have a PS700 since 2018 I've brought around in my back pack for serveral years and is still perfect and I'm not aware of qualtiy issues with that line of products.

 

[dbagchee]

Brand new. Like 11 days old. Maybe a defect because when I plugged it in I thought it felt a bit loose.

If its 11 days old I would be returning it to the store for an exchange. Sounds like you just got a bad one. It happens.

 

[Nathan Explosion]

The ART SLA-1 and SLA-2 are maybe the most common lower-priced amps.

I have the SLA-1 for PC models/NAM etc. Use it with guitar cabs and a pair of EV PA speakers, depending on what I'm doing.

Basement rocking only. No complaints.

 

[HotRats]

A little anecdote about my PS700: I bought it for 500€ euros insted of 700€ due to an amazon price glitch.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I am using one of these. I would definitely try one out if you have an opportunity.

View attachment 52085

Do you like this better than the LX? Is it loud enough in a band setting?

 

[RGB]

I've been using the Rocktron Velocity 300 (1U version) for many years with great results with modelers. The definition and reactance controls make a huge difference.

 

[MTB1973]

Do you like this better than the LX? Is it loud enough in a band setting?

I do. No fan, no heat, and it gets very loud, I think more than loud enough for a band setting. I found the LX-II to be a great power amp, but for me, it had too much bass that I just couldn’t EQ out. I constantly struggled with getting the speaker impedence set how I wanted it in the Axe III. I will of course chalk this up to user error, but I tried both back to back and sold the LX-II immediately.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I do. No fan, no heat, and it gets very loud, I think more than loud enough for a band setting. I found the LX-II to be a great power amp, but for me, it had too much bass that I just couldn’t EQ out. I constantly struggled with getting the speaker impedence set how I wanted it in the Axe III. I will of course chalk this up to user error, but I tried both back to back and sold the LX-II immediately.

It's a good piece but it's also a good bit of change and if it ain't doing it for you, no matter how much it should be going it for you; dump it and get something that will! I'm "power amp" rich currently so I can't justify having anything else on hand

 

[MTB1973]

Post #177 explains it better than I can.

Best Power Amp for Modelers

Yeah it’s basically running right into the power section giving you direct access. I think there’s some impedance mismatches with the line in so you shouldn’t use it. It’s a night and day difference. Some poor impedance mismatch handling makes sense given that It's so much louder. I was running...

forum.fractalaudio.com

 

[MTB1973]

It's a good piece but it's also a good bit of change and if it ain't doing it for you, no matter how much it should be going it for you; dump it and get something that will! I'm "power amp" rich currently so I can't justify having anything else on hand

I hear ya! Power amps are my current rabbit hole. So far, out of all of the power amps I have tried - Powerstage 200, Pedal Baby, LX-II, Reload II, and the Avantone, the Avantone is my fave. Of course, stereo is a must, so that takes other potentials off my list.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I hear ya! Power amps are my current rabbit hole. So far, out of all of the power amps I have tried - Powerstage 200, Pedal Baby, LX-II, Reload II, and the Avantone, the Avantone is my fave. Of course, stereo is a must, so that takes other potentials off my list.

I've had the LX (great but MUCH prefer the Mk III that replaced it) and the Pedal Baby (blah). The Reload II would definitely be an option for me but I can play loud enough at home where I don't need the speaker load or volume restriction sooooooo....


it is!

 

[SonVolt]

Brand new. Like 11 days old. Maybe a defect because when I plugged it in I thought it felt a bit loose.

Why in the world are you dealing with customer service instead of just sending it back to where you bought it for a replacement? Something seems fishy.

 

[CorrosiveMatter]

Why in the world are you dealing with customer service instead of just sending it back to where you bought it for a replacement? Something seems fishy.

You’re correct I am a plant from some other power amp maker trying to sell my product! You caught me!

The store I got it from online says it’s a warranty issue is why I called them. A new switchcraft jack will be here today and an easy fix.

I think I am just old school and used to when a company would fix things lickety split to keep a customer for life rather than I got your dollars now and don’t care if you are ever back.

 

[JiveTurkey]

You’re correct I am a plant from some other power amp maker trying to sell my product! You caught me!

The store I got it from online says it’s a warranty issue is why I called them. A new switchcraft jack will be here today and an easy fix.

I think I am just old school and used to when a company would fix things lickety split to keep a customer for life rather than I got your dollars now and don’t care if you are ever back.