Rack power amps?

[bhuether]

I was wondering if there are any very good rack power amps that are easily portable. Ideally tube but I will entertain good solid state options. Ideally under $1000. It would be for live playing at small venues. I would run it with a rack pre like 11 rack or something.

thanks

 

[jcj]

Not sure what your definition of portable may be, but most tube power amps are pretty heavy..

Any of the VHT or Mesa stuff sounds great, and can be had for under a grand (used).

For light, portable and (relatively) inexpensive, try the Rocktron Velocity, the Mossvalve, or the (more expensive) Matrix line.

 

[metalmaniac93]

VHT for tube/Matrix GT1000FX for SS.

 

[PeteLaramee]

VHT 2/50/2 was the best power amp I ever had/tried.

 

[SDMF38]

Try the mesa 20/20, its one space fairly light and tube powered with el84.

 

[Mr. Burton]

Mesa or Marshall 20/20. Maybe the Matrix Gt800. ART SLA-2 on the cheap. Latter 2 are solid state. All one space.

 

[daveg62]

+1 for the Matrix GT800. Just got one, it's small, light and sounds great into my 2x12 cab!

 

[shred-o-holic]

ENGL also makes (or made) a lower powered power amp if you can find one used. I've seen a couple on ebay from time to time. Like others said though the Matrix would be a great portable SS option....I use a Randall RT 2/50.....but although it sounds great (just re-tubed it with Ruby ELBHT 34's thank you Doug's Tubes ) it weighs a ton....

 

[shred-o-holic]

+1 for the Matrix GT800. Just got one, it's small, light and sounds great into my 2x12 cab!

The Matrix is on my future gas list for sure......lots of great portable power it sounds like...

 

[rsm]

I dig my Engl E850/100, it is not portable, light or inexpensive (IMO) and is 2U.

There is the E840/50 which is about $1500 new, I saw one on ebay recently under $800 asking or current bid.

The older ADA power amps can be found at reasonable prices, and Marshall made a 20/20 poweramp with EL84's, the dual monoblocs are 4U and much heavier, but some recent posts showed them going for under $1K on Craig's List, solid.

Rocktron has a few SS that are popular for / with modelers, new and used.