Matrix GT800FX is perfect for what you need and they are $599 brand new. They have PLENTY of power to compete with cranked 100 watters, sound great, take up only one rack space and weigh next to nothing. I use one in my W/D/W rig. It's the last box in my rack:Mr. Willy":26j2lr00 said:I'm contemplating buying a solid state power amp to use with my SLO for a wet/dry rig. I have no idea how much power I need or which brands are better than others (build quality, reliability, etc.). What should I look for and how much should I expect to spend?
godgrinder":1qv33awy said:~$350 will get you a brand new 1500W SS power amp. Crown XLS1502, Carvin HD1500 etc.
For solid states more watts are ideal, but 800-1000W would be more than enough.
mismas1":2tb21ntg said:I have an old Valvestate 8100 Half Stack. If you play metal, it rocks the house. Its the same rig Chuck Schuldiner from Death used before he passed away.
psychodave":3tmn5hag said:I think a lot are missing the point... I want my would state amp to sound good as well as amplify. I've tried a lot of solid state power amps and all of them, except for the HH V800 have never has the balls to keep up. They tend to sound thin compared to the original "dry" sound. Keep in mind my "wet" cabinets also are setup to pass "dry" sound as well. I also use a Mess Boogie Strategy 400 to color my wet cabs and add extra umph to my sound.
Note that I haven't tried any Matrix power amps. I was close to buying one, but wasn't convinced it would be better than my HH's and resale on them is terrible. lol
psychodave":2lpdcia0 said:I think a lot are missing the point... I want my would state amp to sound good as well as amplify. I've tried a lot of solid state power amps and all of them, except for the HH V800 have never has the balls to keep up. They tend to sound thin compared to the original "dry" sound. Keep in mind my "wet" cabinets also are setup to pass "dry" sound as well. I also use a Mess Boogie Strategy 400 to color my wet cabs and add extra umph to my sound.
Note that I haven't tried any Matrix power amps. I was close to buying one, but wasn't convinced it would be better than my HH's and resale on them is terrible. lol
7 Stringer":2as5imdq said:psychodave":2as5imdq said:I think a lot are missing the point... I want my would state amp to sound good as well as amplify. I've tried a lot of solid state power amps and all of them, except for the HH V800 have never has the balls to keep up. They tend to sound thin compared to the original "dry" sound. Keep in mind my "wet" cabinets also are setup to pass "dry" sound as well. I also use a Mess Boogie Strategy 400 to color my wet cabs and add extra umph to my sound.
Note that I haven't tried any Matrix power amps. I was close to buying one, but wasn't convinced it would be better than my HH's and resale on them is terrible. lol
I was running a bit of dry in my wet cabs and didn't like the effect, no phasing issues but the sound wasn't as punchy and sounded well, SS. Maybe if used on of those HH it would be different. I know Eddie did that too with his setup. Also maybe could of tried an EQ but i mostly think if one wants some dry in the wets, you need a better power amp with some power behind it.
But when using a dash of chorus or the micro shift mixed in, ha ha, stand back folks, you'll get your balls rattled. Lol
But just for effects, any will do.
Chris
That sounds monstrous. Hell I'm just enjoying a simple wet/dry with the 2C+ and the Strategy you sold me.psychodave":3j3ou1sl said:7 Stringer":3j3ou1sl said:psychodave":3j3ou1sl said:I think a lot are missing the point... I want my would state amp to sound good as well as amplify. I've tried a lot of solid state power amps and all of them, except for the HH V800 have never has the balls to keep up. They tend to sound thin compared to the original "dry" sound. Keep in mind my "wet" cabinets also are setup to pass "dry" sound as well. I also use a Mess Boogie Strategy 400 to color my wet cabs and add extra umph to my sound.
Note that I haven't tried any Matrix power amps. I was close to buying one, but wasn't convinced it would be better than my HH's and resale on them is terrible. lol
I was running a bit of dry in my wet cabs and didn't like the effect, no phasing issues but the sound wasn't as punchy and sounded well, SS. Maybe if used on of those HH it would be different. I know Eddie did that too with his setup. Also maybe could of tried an EQ but i mostly think if one wants some dry in the wets, you need a better power amp with some power behind it.
But when using a dash of chorus or the micro shift mixed in, ha ha, stand back folks, you'll get your balls rattled. Lol
But just for effects, any will do.
Chris
I brought out my rack to Rockinchippys house last week and everyone loved how good it sounded. So much so, that I had to explain what I was doing:
I run a Shur ISO box with my main amp going to a dedicated cabinet. Next I take the line level signal from the ISO box and split it into two signals (I simply wired up a single jack into two leads). One jack goes into my effects unit (I used a Korg DL8000R and TC 2290), the other Jack goes into a mixer (I use an RJM mini mixer). Then the signal from the effects goes into the mixer. The mixer will now have dry signal from the ISO box and a wet signal from the effects. Now I take TWO jacks (one for each side of your power amp...it will give you stereo) into a clean power amp (I use an HH V800). Then go out to two different speaker cabinets. You can use 1x12's or 4x12, etc. the mini mixer will now mix BOTH wet and dry signal to your power amp. This will make everything sound huge since you will now have 3 sources of your original tone (one going through the ISO box and two from the power amp). The mini mixer will also allow you to kill the dry signal for just a wet sound...but it won't be massive sounding. Of course you can also add an EQ to the rig for even more tonal opportunities.