PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
- Thread starter Mincer
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Re: PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
Yes, there are two rack ears and mounting screws. More of a manual would be useful. I found the same issue with the Andromeda. Many of these demo videos by the manufacturers are artistic but not that instructive.
One thing that wasn't clear to me prior to owning it was that there is no front volume or EQ control when using the XLR side out. The controls are for going out the speaker side. Also, it does need the ventilation around the unit. It is very powerful, which is good, like most amplifiers, you need some cooling air space. The demo video shows vents on the left side, but my unit only has a vent on the right side. Both sides would be useful if possible. The foam padding in the box is good (mine came from Sweetwater) but some of that padding had melted to the side of the unit. It's been a hot summer so it could've happened on the truck or if it was put back in the box hot after testing before shipping. I'm going to try to find a suitable case if I don't rack mount it.
Now the good stuff. The thing sounds amazing. Clarity and punch. Put all kinds of things in front of it. I've been running the Vai Legacy Drive into it and it is a very nice sound; not the same as either Legacy with EL34 or 6L6 in the slots, but a tasty alternative of its own. And both could go in luggage easily. Now if there was a folding Les Paul...
Yes, there are two rack ears and mounting screws. More of a manual would be useful. I found the same issue with the Andromeda. Many of these demo videos by the manufacturers are artistic but not that instructive.
One thing that wasn't clear to me prior to owning it was that there is no front volume or EQ control when using the XLR side out. The controls are for going out the speaker side. Also, it does need the ventilation around the unit. It is very powerful, which is good, like most amplifiers, you need some cooling air space. The demo video shows vents on the left side, but my unit only has a vent on the right side. Both sides would be useful if possible. The foam padding in the box is good (mine came from Sweetwater) but some of that padding had melted to the side of the unit. It's been a hot summer so it could've happened on the truck or if it was put back in the box hot after testing before shipping. I'm going to try to find a suitable case if I don't rack mount it.
Now the good stuff. The thing sounds amazing. Clarity and punch. Put all kinds of things in front of it. I've been running the Vai Legacy Drive into it and it is a very nice sound; not the same as either Legacy with EL34 or 6L6 in the slots, but a tasty alternative of its own. And both could go in luggage easily. Now if there was a folding Les Paul...
JimmyAhovalli
New member
Re: PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
Got mine like a week ago and today I've been messing around in my home studio with it. Just plugged it straight in my audio interface with the xlr outs but no cabs plugged in. Missed that it says in the quick start guide I risk damaging it doing so. Now I got worried... what can happen?
Got mine like a week ago and today I've been messing around in my home studio with it. Just plugged it straight in my audio interface with the xlr outs but no cabs plugged in. Missed that it says in the quick start guide I risk damaging it doing so. Now I got worried... what can happen?
Riley
New Products Specialist
Re: PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
My understanding is that with Class D power amps there shouldn't be a risk in using it without a cabinet. The warning in the manual is perhaps erring a little too far on the side of caution. You can also use the XLR outputs while the volume control is turned off, as it doesn't affect the signal going to the XLR.
Thanks for the feedback! I'll look into the issue with the foam.
My understanding is that with Class D power amps there shouldn't be a risk in using it without a cabinet. The warning in the manual is perhaps erring a little too far on the side of caution. You can also use the XLR outputs while the volume control is turned off, as it doesn't affect the signal going to the XLR.
Thanks for the feedback! I'll look into the issue with the foam.
Max Gutnik
Seymour Duncan
Re: PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
You don't need a cab plugged in. Just go straight into your interface! Also, remember to turn the cab sim on for the best sounding results.
You don't need a cab plugged in. Just go straight into your interface! Also, remember to turn the cab sim on for the best sounding results.
Sirion
Well-known member
Re: PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
Is there any chance a smaller version of this, to fill in the gap between the 170 and this, might be released in the future? I really want to give this a try, but it is quite simply too much power for a rig that uses old-fashioned guitar speakers. (I will be using it with a guitar preamp, mind you, not a modeller) Even at 16 ohms each channel should be able to blow up two 4x12s with 20 w speakers in them. On the other hand, the 170 will arguably be too weak to be effective with a 16 ohm rig, and it is also slightly less convenient for rack-based stereo rigs.
Something like a PowerStage 400 would have been perfect. Pretty please?
Is there any chance a smaller version of this, to fill in the gap between the 170 and this, might be released in the future? I really want to give this a try, but it is quite simply too much power for a rig that uses old-fashioned guitar speakers. (I will be using it with a guitar preamp, mind you, not a modeller) Even at 16 ohms each channel should be able to blow up two 4x12s with 20 w speakers in them. On the other hand, the 170 will arguably be too weak to be effective with a 16 ohm rig, and it is also slightly less convenient for rack-based stereo rigs.
Something like a PowerStage 400 would have been perfect. Pretty please?
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Sirion
Well-known member
Re: PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
True, but too large a discrepancy will leave little room for fine-tuning the volume, and make blowing things up by accident easier. I Don't really know how class d reacts, but for solid states I'd usually go with something slightly more powerful than I am able to use… but not that much.
True, but too large a discrepancy will leave little room for fine-tuning the volume, and make blowing things up by accident easier. I Don't really know how class d reacts, but for solid states I'd usually go with something slightly more powerful than I am able to use… but not that much.
Re: PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
for a bass rig or pa, which is where most of my ss experience lies, i always over power things. better to have 1000w running on 4, nice and cool and clean, than 400w running on 9 at the edge of its ability with occasional clipping and tons of heat being thrown off
for a bass rig or pa, which is where most of my ss experience lies, i always over power things. better to have 1000w running on 4, nice and cool and clean, than 400w running on 9 at the edge of its ability with occasional clipping and tons of heat being thrown off
Re: PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
I want to use two cabs stereo with the two channels
Does the powerstage 700 have 700Watt @4Ohms per channel (2x 700W stereo) or only 350W@4Ohm per channel (2x350W stereo)?
Can it be bridged like other ss amps ?
It's not clear in the manual.
I want to use two cabs stereo with the two channels
Does the powerstage 700 have 700Watt @4Ohms per channel (2x 700W stereo) or only 350W@4Ohm per channel (2x350W stereo)?
Can it be bridged like other ss amps ?
It's not clear in the manual.
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Re: PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
Welcome to the forum!
These are the stated specs (I don't believe it can be bridged, but someone will correct me if I am wrong):
LEVEL: 0 dB to 47 dB
TREBLE CONTROL: +/- 13 dB @6.61 kHz
MID CONTROL: +/- 13 dB @712 Hz
BASS CONTROL: +/- 13 dB @87 Hz
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: 4-8 Ohms
POWER: 350 W at 8 Ohms, 700 W at 4 Ohms
DIMENSIONS: 11.5” x 2.2” x 6.9”
WEIGHT: 6.3 lbs.
Welcome to the forum!
These are the stated specs (I don't believe it can be bridged, but someone will correct me if I am wrong):
LEVEL: 0 dB to 47 dB
TREBLE CONTROL: +/- 13 dB @6.61 kHz
MID CONTROL: +/- 13 dB @712 Hz
BASS CONTROL: +/- 13 dB @87 Hz
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: 4-8 Ohms
POWER: 350 W at 8 Ohms, 700 W at 4 Ohms
DIMENSIONS: 11.5” x 2.2” x 6.9”
WEIGHT: 6.3 lbs.
Re: PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
description of the powerstage 700 on the SD webside
"The PowerStage 700 is a stereo power amp that offers 700 watts of power per channel, a clean preamp section and precision 3-band global EQ."
Can anybody confirm the actual power specs of the separate channels?
Normally the spec of a ss poweramp is e.g. 2x450W@4ohm and 900W@4ohm bridged.
I want to buy the ps700, but I want to know the specs of each channel.
What about bridging the outputs?
I don't want to blow up my speakers. Thank you.
description of the powerstage 700 on the SD webside
"The PowerStage 700 is a stereo power amp that offers 700 watts of power per channel, a clean preamp section and precision 3-band global EQ."
Can anybody confirm the actual power specs of the separate channels?
Normally the spec of a ss poweramp is e.g. 2x450W@4ohm and 900W@4ohm bridged.
I want to buy the ps700, but I want to know the specs of each channel.
What about bridging the outputs?
I don't want to blow up my speakers. Thank you.
Re: PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
You may be right. I don't have one here, and my thought is that there isn't a 'manual' that ships with it, just the safety manual and the other connection manual. Those are available on the product page.
You may be right. I don't have one here, and my thought is that there isn't a 'manual' that ships with it, just the safety manual and the other connection manual. Those are available on the product page.
stratoskier
New member
Re: PowerStage 700 Now Shipping!
I'm intrigued by the PS700 for use as a stereo power amp + direct box with a modeler (currently a Boss GT100 but that might change). I realize that the 700 isn't just like two PS170s as it covers a lot more bases: stereo capability, speaker outs for stage cabs, balanced XLR outs (with or without cab sims) for the FOH, and certainly plenty o' power on tap. I'm still concerned about the excessive power and, naturally, the price. However, if I factor in the cost of a high quality stereo DI with cab sims, the price of the PS700 seems a little less daunting.
My question: Is anyone here now using one of these with a modeler? Any comments on the quality of the cab sims? I asked the same question in the digital modeling section over at The Gear Page and got exactly 0 responses. That leads me to think that there still aren't a lot of these in circulation, probably because they're seen as overkill unless you're a big time touring musician.
I'm intrigued by the PS700 for use as a stereo power amp + direct box with a modeler (currently a Boss GT100 but that might change). I realize that the 700 isn't just like two PS170s as it covers a lot more bases: stereo capability, speaker outs for stage cabs, balanced XLR outs (with or without cab sims) for the FOH, and certainly plenty o' power on tap. I'm still concerned about the excessive power and, naturally, the price. However, if I factor in the cost of a high quality stereo DI with cab sims, the price of the PS700 seems a little less daunting.
My question: Is anyone here now using one of these with a modeler? Any comments on the quality of the cab sims? I asked the same question in the digital modeling section over at The Gear Page and got exactly 0 responses. That leads me to think that there still aren't a lot of these in circulation, probably because they're seen as overkill unless you're a big time touring musician.
