Good solid state racmount power amp?

[dnewhous]

I have an aging Rocktron Velocity 150, one of the first issues of that famous line, with a scratchy pot. I'm thinking that it may not be worth trying to get it fixed up. But I don't see a modern equivalent and I don't see that anything as good was ever made. I do not want a vacuum tube power amp.

If I were to get something brand new I suppose I could just replace it with a stage monitor amplifier.

 

[CTN]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

I don't know why you WOULDN'T want a tube power amp...they sound a lot nicer.

but in any case, this might do you just right.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=DCM200L

 

[dnewhous]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

I don't know why you WOULDN'T want a tube power amp...they sound a lot nicer.
http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=DCM200L

A tube power amp is a tone generator. If I ever get to record myself in the studio where I can use an Eventide or Lexicon unit to add effects after the mic, you can be ****ed sure I'll use a tube power amp cranked to the max.

 

[metlking]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

I've got a Mosvalve I keep on hand, they can be had pretty cheap and do the trick...............But tubes rule!

New? Hmmm.......I don't know. I think the demise of the rack killed that!

 

[dnewhous]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

MosValve has been out of production for years. I wouldn't replace one used piece of gear with another that is inferior to the original. If I have to go inferior, I'll at least buy something brand new.

 

[metlking]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

Just throwin' out what I have experience with..............only trying to help!

 

[Ray 911S]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

Crown, especially 80s vintage. Check out D75, D150, or D300. Ultra clean, no cooling fan, solid power. Bi-amp with a pair of D75s, each bridged to mono and you will have no trouble - if super clean is what you're looking for.

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

I bought 4 Randall RP2/200 power amps for really cheap when Randall stopped making them. I have used them for everything, powering my P.A., slaving out from bass amp, listening to music on cerwin vega floor speakers....never had a problem with any of them. You may be able to get one used for about $100.

 

[dnewhous]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

To put it succintly, nobody makes good solid state power amps specifically for guitar players anymore.

Doing a little more research - the Velocity 150 and 300 were made before GHS bought out Rocktron and the best engineers left the company. They exist in a class by themselves that may never be equaled.

I would say the best replacement would be some modern, high grade amplifier like QSC.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

To put it succintly, nobody makes good solid state power amps specifically for guitar players anymore.

Doing a little more research - the Velocity 150 and 300 were made before GHS bought out Rocktron and the best engineers left the company. They exist in a class by themselves that may never be equaled.

I would say the best replacement would be some modern, high grade amplifier like QSC.

Since you believe any replacement would be inferior, I would think a repair becomes your best option. Otherwise this question is just an exercise in negativity.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

I have an aging Rocktron Velocity 150, one of the first issues of that famous line, with a scratchy pot. I'm thinking that it may not be worth trying to get it fixed up. But I don't see a modern equivalent and I don't see that anything as good was ever made. I do not want a vacuum tube power amp.

If I were to get something brand new I suppose I could just replace it with a stage monitor amplifier.

A scratchy pot is pretty easy to fix. I'd give that a try before turfing the thing.

 

[cvansickle]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

I don't know why you WOULDN'T want a tube power amp...they sound a lot nicer.

but in any case, this might do you just right.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=DCM200L

I was going to suggest this too, although I really think the TS100, the stereo tube model, is more bang for the buck.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

I have the Carvin DCM200 in my travel rig, powering 2 10's mainly for my own guitar monitoring, not miked. It sounds okay, but one channel started making a crackly sound upon power up, which subsides after a few seconds. I realize I'm just one case, and I got it used, but this issue wasn't there when I got it. It developed over time. So there's a possibility it's no more reliable than your Rocktron. I had a Velocity 50 as well, I thought the Carvin sounded just as good.

 

[Hellion]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

I've got a Marshall 8008 that I've been using for about 15 years that has had its moments, but has been relatively trouble free. When it WAS giving me fits, I had a single space QSC that I bought used and has NEVER given me any problems. They're both solid state amps. I don't think tubes necessarily sound better, just different.

 

[dnewhous]

Re: Good solid state racmount power amp?

There were only 3 Rocktron Velocity models that had a good reputation. The solid state 150 and 300 and the (very rare) tube amp designed by Bruce Egnater. It's a high powered pure class A rack mountable tube power amp. The ultimate tube power amp, without any equal. When Egnater started up, I recall them having a clone of it with the Egnater badge on it. It's so rare it's hard to find a reference to its existence with google.

Anyway, speak of the devil

http://www.9mileguitar.com/product.sc?productId=1444&categoryId=3

It has a reactance knob, the distinguishing feature of the original Velocity issues.