Checking out power amps...

Alex6534 · September 25, 2014 at 12:11 PM

Right folks, I'm looking at buying a power amp for my next Kemper (probably unpowered rack), I'm looking for a cheap and portable solution that will allow me to use cabs when necessary. At the moment kemper goes to FOH and we usually use Alto TS115As for monitoring but a few venues prefer to mic up cabs, so we would like to have that option. I'm looking at the magnum 44 as well which looks promising. In this band I primarily play hard rock/metal with cleans here/there, do you think the 44 would have enough headroom? Also open to suggestions for other power amps, although not the matrix series as they are out of budget.

Pick909 · September 25, 2014 at 1:55 PM

ISP Stealth

KPA-Solutions Camplifier

paults · September 25, 2014 at 2:19 PM

Crate Powerblock (using just the power amp of the Crate).

Gitarrenschlumpf · September 25, 2014 at 3:24 PM

Quote from Pick909

KPA-Solutions Camplifier

The Camplifier series is for the lunchbox version only.

Ingolf · September 25, 2014 at 3:51 PM

Quote from Gitarrenschlumpf

The Camplifier series is for the lunchbox version only.

Therefore I'd recommend buying an unpowered head + Camplifier or go the whole way and buy the powerrack.

Lokasenna · September 25, 2014 at 11:19 PM

I've got a 44 Magnum and it's fucking LOUD. I can't turn it up very far without things falling off my shelves. However, if I had the extra cash, my first choice would definitely have been an ISP Stealth.

As it happens, I also own a Crate Powerblock... it's alright, but not the best-sounding amp in the world. It also has no volume control if you're running direct in (via the Effect Return, to bypass the preamp), which may or may not be annoying.

Pick909 · September 26, 2014 at 4:06 AM

I think that the ISP is rackable so it would be a better fit for KPA rack.

HourOfPenance · September 26, 2014 at 12:23 PM

I would definitely recommend the Magnum 44 , it sounds beast.. and it's very light and small.
The only thing i don't like about it it's the lack of a standby - power off button , so every time you want to switch off/ on you have to unplug it from the power outlet , but that doesn't really affect on the quality of the product.

nightlight · September 26, 2014 at 12:25 PM

You could always go for a powered cabinet with an non-power amp Kemper. Something like the Yamaha DXR 10, or even a Tech 21 Power Engine 60. Some users have also reported good results running into the FX return of the older version of the Fender Mustang combo amps.

jimosity · September 27, 2014 at 2:27 AM

Has anybody tried the Quilter ToneBlock 200?
http://www.quilterlabs.com/index.php/prod…/tone-block-200

twulf · September 27, 2014 at 12:41 PM

I'm playing my 19" Kemper trough a Rocktron Velocity 120.
Build in a 4HE lightweight Rack.
Very neutral sounding and Lord enough to blow your ears away.
The definition knob is very useable to bring a Little More bite in the Sound when needed.

Alex6534 · September 29, 2014 at 10:59 AM

Thanks for all the replies guys, I play primarily metal but with a few clean/crunch sections so a bit more headroom would probably be better. If only they did a Magnum 88! I'll have a look at the velocity, although I've heard it can be quite noisy?

tylerhb · September 29, 2014 at 11:07 AM

I would get the unpowered rack KPA and an additional 19" fanless class D poweramp with 1 rack unit.

Something like this:
http://www.justmusic.de/de-de/pa-licht…alendstufe.html

jazzfromhell · February 6, 2015 at 2:31 PM

Quote from Lokasenna

As it happens, I also own a Crate Powerblock... it's alright, but not the best-sounding amp in the world. It also has no volume control if you're running direct in (via the Effect Return, to bypass the preamp), which may or may not be annoying.

This is only 6 months late but what the hey
New user here, I just got my KPA a week ago, and Ive got the Powerblock too. Just a quick FYI: you need to run the KPA into the CD input of the Crate, otherwise you get the Crates build-in speaker simulation.

greenblob · February 6, 2015 at 5:44 PM

I'm a happy ISP Stealth user. Sits in the gig bag for most shows but it has been pulled out to run a real cab at rehearsals etc on many occasions. Very handy.
If your looking for a stand alone portable power amp on the cheap (ie: used), I'd be looking to pick one up before the 3.0 FW release, as I suspect finding a good deal online for used one (whichever small poweramp your looking at) might become a bit tougher with the increased interest the DI profiling will bring.

PBGas · February 6, 2015 at 11:04 PM

I'm definitely considering one of the Stealth units with the rack mounts. Looks like the perfect setup for using a cab and my non-powered rack. Price is great as well.

djazz · February 6, 2015 at 11:54 PM

The pdf says with respect to using the DI profile that should be exactly like the pre-amp and power amp profiled, "The result is thus highly authentic, and ready to be amplified by a solid-state amp, orthe optional, built-in class- D power amp of the PowerHead and PowerRack." This has me searching for a power amp as well. I want one in stereo. The Camplifier stereo one would be nice, but by the time I get it shipped to the USA and pay the extra exchange rate it would probably cost $500. Not that it's out of the question, but for that money, there are many other choices. So, I've looked into the ISP stealth, Matrix GT800, Carvin DCM200L, EHX Magnum (would need two). Because it specifically says "solid-state" amp, I would think that you would want a power amp that will not color the sound (otherwise, why not use my Mesa Boogie 20/20P stereo tube power amp). I'm thinking that the ISP and the EHX and the Matrix have been tonally colored to be more like a tube amp, with breaking up characteristics etc. tailored to guitarists. What do you guys think the characteristics to look for are? Shouldn't I be looking for a clean solid-state power amp? Having said that, what is recommended.

djazz · February 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM

This is the even better statement that has me concerned about the type of power amp you would want to have to use the DI profile to play through your own speakers: "When this profile is later run by the Profiler's internal class-D power-amp, or a separate solid-state power-amp, into a guitar
speaker, it will faithfully recreate the sound and feel of the original tube-amp.". I would think using any power amp that tries to be more like a tube guitar power amp may sound fine, but you then won't sound exactly like the original tube amp (preamp and power amp).

The matrix says "Using premium quality components and high quality MosFets allows the GT800FX to give a sound that many users have compared to high end valve power amps"

ISP Stealth says: "The STEALTH is based on analog class A/B amplifier design for excellent sonic and saturated clipping performance, not found with Class D power amplifiers and will exceed the stringent tone characteristics of the professional guitarist.

The EHX says: "The new 44 Magnum guitar amp head provides 44 watts of clean and natural power but can also deliver a true amplifier overdrive at the turn of a knob."

greenblob · February 7, 2015 at 1:08 AM

The ISP is not made to clip. When they state "excellent sonic and saturated clipping performance" I can only assume they are attempting to say that it has "excellent performance at avoiding saturated clipping".

I've never been able to make mine noticeably clip. It has crazy amounts of headroom. I run mine through a 2x12 and have never gone above noon on the dial in full rock band rehearsal. The Stealth is not designed to emulate/simulate anthing. Its extremely transparent imo.

The_Playstation · February 7, 2015 at 2:20 AM

Hello,
I build my one amp and pass him into the emty space in my kemper profiling amps. So i can create the amp, i like. I am an elektronik-technic-fan and good, neutral amps are easy to build.

best regards Jorrit