Crate Powerblock for $99 @ MF!
- Thread starter milkbone
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beggar_guitar
New member
Re: Crate Powerblock for $99 @ MF!
I pulled the trigger on one for my POD. Once I get it in I will let everyone know what I think with some hands on time.
I read pretty mixed reviews about it. Some people say it seems to shut off when ran at high volumes. I was considering one and at $99 I couldn't pass it up. If it turns out to be a good deal I may end up buying a second as a back up.
I pulled the trigger on one for my POD. Once I get it in I will let everyone know what I think with some hands on time.
I read pretty mixed reviews about it. Some people say it seems to shut off when ran at high volumes. I was considering one and at $99 I couldn't pass it up. If it turns out to be a good deal I may end up buying a second as a back up.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Crate Powerblock for $99 @ MF!
Holy crap, that's a sweet deal!
They're great amps IMO. I played through one plugged into an open back 2x12, and the crunch was surprisingly good. And it doubles as a stereo power amp! POD users rejoice!
For that price, it's really tempting. My current Pod XT -> Power Block -> a used 1x12 = a very inexpensive, very portable, and extremely versatile rig. Hmm ...
EDIT: forgot to mention - XLR line out! No more mic-ing to the PA!
Holy crap, that's a sweet deal!
They're great amps IMO. I played through one plugged into an open back 2x12, and the crunch was surprisingly good. And it doubles as a stereo power amp! POD users rejoice!
For that price, it's really tempting. My current Pod XT -> Power Block -> a used 1x12 = a very inexpensive, very portable, and extremely versatile rig. Hmm ...
EDIT: forgot to mention - XLR line out! No more mic-ing to the PA!
beggar_guitar
New member
Re: Crate Powerblock for $99 @ MF!
Is that your current rig? Or are you considering that rig? Maybe I still have a slight bit of "Bigger is Better" mindset, but I never considered running anything smaller than a 2x12 live. I had to play a lot of shows without mic'ing my cab though. Obviously with mics a 1x12 would be fine...
Is that your current rig? Or are you considering that rig? Maybe I still have a slight bit of "Bigger is Better" mindset, but I never considered running anything smaller than a 2x12 live. I had to play a lot of shows without mic'ing my cab though. Obviously with mics a 1x12 would be fine...
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Crate Powerblock for $99 @ MF!
No, I don't even have an amp right now ... that's why I am so tempted!
The 1x12 would be fine for now. I'm not playing anywhere big and noisy. If I needed more volume I could get a bigger cab in the future. That's the beauty of an amp like this.
No, I don't even have an amp right now ... that's why I am so tempted!
The 1x12 would be fine for now. I'm not playing anywhere big and noisy. If I needed more volume I could get a bigger cab in the future. That's the beauty of an amp like this.
beggar_guitar
New member
Re: Crate Powerblock for $99 @ MF!
Yeah I can see that. Since I have this on the way I was considering investing in a 2x12 cab or 2 1x12 cab's. I just can't really decide. I have 2 4x12 cabs, but they are Overkill for anything I do right now.
I like to have 'em for looks, but they really aren't practical for me. The idea of a small and very portable gigging rig is so appealing after lugging a head and a 4x12 cab everywhere.
Yeah I can see that. Since I have this on the way I was considering investing in a 2x12 cab or 2 1x12 cab's. I just can't really decide. I have 2 4x12 cabs, but they are Overkill for anything I do right now.
I like to have 'em for looks, but they really aren't practical for me. The idea of a small and very portable gigging rig is so appealing after lugging a head and a 4x12 cab everywhere.
beggar_guitar
New member
Re: Crate Powerblock for $99 @ MF!
Ooo.. Mine comes tomorrow too! Maybe a couple of us that got them can post some reviews over the weekend. At worst I bought myself a back-up amp, but if it turns out to be a catch I may purchase a 2nd one.
Ooo.. Mine comes tomorrow too! Maybe a couple of us that got them can post some reviews over the weekend. At worst I bought myself a back-up amp, but if it turns out to be a catch I may purchase a 2nd one.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Crate Powerblock for $99 @ MF!
Your cab is 8 ohms, the amp will see 8 ohms regardless.
The amp wants to see an 8 ohm load when run in mono.
It wants to see a 4 ohm load per side when run in stereo.
You could run both of your 8 ohm cabs in stereo with it without any issues.
Since the amp would see 8 ohms per side instead of 4 ohms per side, the output wattage will likely drop a bit.
Your cab is 8 ohms, the amp will see 8 ohms regardless.
The amp wants to see an 8 ohm load when run in mono.
It wants to see a 4 ohm load per side when run in stereo.
You could run both of your 8 ohm cabs in stereo with it without any issues.
Since the amp would see 8 ohms per side instead of 4 ohms per side, the output wattage will likely drop a bit.
AdmiralB
New member
Re: Crate Powerblock for $99 @ MF!
In where? It's totally enclosed. And it doesn't even get warm, you can run it full-tilt all day long and it's hardly above room temp. The operating mode is really fascinating, it's like PWM applied to audio power.
If you run it into a too-low impedance, overcurrent limiters kick in.
In where? It's totally enclosed. And it doesn't even get warm, you can run it full-tilt all day long and it's hardly above room temp. The operating mode is really fascinating, it's like PWM applied to audio power.
If you run it into a too-low impedance, overcurrent limiters kick in.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Crate Powerblock for $99 @ MF!
Hey, does anyone know when this sale ends?
Hey, does anyone know when this sale ends?
DankStar
Her Little Mojo Minion
Re: Crate Powerblock for $99 @ MF!
shoot. I can't figure out which output I should use for my 4-12 cab (wired for 4 ohms). should I go out the 8 ohm mono and suffer lower output there, or go out the left or right stereo output, set at 4 ohms. they make it sound like if you use the stereo outs, you need to have both L and R being used. perhaps not though (I would think they are on separate signal paths)....please advise.
at any rate, the manual makes it sound like you can't really screw it up because it's "protected" from ohm mixups as they happen.
shoot. I can't figure out which output I should use for my 4-12 cab (wired for 4 ohms). should I go out the 8 ohm mono and suffer lower output there, or go out the left or right stereo output, set at 4 ohms. they make it sound like if you use the stereo outs, you need to have both L and R being used. perhaps not though (I would think they are on separate signal paths)....please advise.
at any rate, the manual makes it sound like you can't really screw it up because it's "protected" from ohm mixups as they happen.
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devastone
Well-known member
Re: Crate Powerblock for $99 @ MF!
A 4 ohm load on the 8 ohm mono output will make it try to put out more than it can, so that's definitely not recommended. If your cab is stereo, it is probably 8 ohms per side, you could run one of the stereo outs into each side of the cab.
I stopped at GC on the way home and picked up a PB for $99.99, figured it was worth the few extra $ of tax just to get it now
A 4 ohm load on the 8 ohm mono output will make it try to put out more than it can, so that's definitely not recommended. If your cab is stereo, it is probably 8 ohms per side, you could run one of the stereo outs into each side of the cab.
I stopped at GC on the way home and picked up a PB for $99.99, figured it was worth the few extra $ of tax just to get it now
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