Power amp for a Behringer V-Amp Pro

[joboo]

I'm thinking very seriously about getting a V-Amp pro and would like to use it in the studio and live. What I'm confused about is what power amp to buy if I want it to push a 4X12 cabinet. I'm not sure how much power I will really need and something like the Mesa 2:100 is probably way over the top. Any suggestions?

[veganMalcontent]

If you want to run it through a 4x12 cabinet, that will easily soak up 100 watts, and I wouldn't bother trying to power it with less than 50 watts. You know, like a typical 4x12 Marshall-type cab will have four Celestion 75-watt 8 ohm speakers wired in series-parallel which will give you a 150 watt capacity. Significantly underpowering speakers causes premature damage to them. So you're on the right track with the 2:100, but it's excessively expensive.

The question is, do you want it to sound good or bad when the amp distorts? If you don't mind it sounding bad, or you don't think you'll be cranking it very hard, you could consider a solid-state power amp which would cost a lot less than a Mesa tube power amp. But if you want to push the amp, and you want it to sound good when it breaks up, you're going to pay for it.

Incidentally, I haven't played through the 2:100, but I have a Mesa 20/20 that I like a LOT. But Mesa goes for very distinctive voicings of their power amps, so you really need to hear it to decide whether the sound will work for you. For instance, my 20/20 is very spongy. It adds a very crystalline, yet warm, sparkle to the input signal. I don't know how they do it, but I've never heard another manufacturer make amps that sound like that. It's definitely not just clean, flat amplification.

Edit: Maybe take a look at finding a used Mesa fifty-fifty.


Sam

[epic]

If you are just trying to add the pos to your live sound setup, then you could always just get a direct box, and have it run right to the board. Then you don't have to lug an amp around with you, when it really isnt needed. If you are looking to ad to your sound, with the aformentioned 4x12, then you will need something that sounds decent to power it like was suggested. I think a 4x12 is overkill for most venues. If you are playing a hall that needs a 4x12 or larger, and they don't have a decent PA, then maybe the place is not worth playing at. Personally I have gone the route of marshall 4x10 half stack, and within a year and a half i had traded to a smaller fender 2x12. Even that is a pain to lug around (thank goodness for wheeled cabinets). Some of the best amps that I have heard were just single 12's or 2x10 cabinets. they are small, and get the job done. If you need more sound, throw a mic infront of the speakers and run it to the PA. Thats just my perspective however. YMMV

[joboo]

Thanks for the replies. I think I am just not going to worry about a live sound since I won't be playing out much. I'll just run it slave in to a 2X10 that I have and go direct if I get the chance.

[Kaje]

I use a stereo 400watt power amp in to 2 laney 2 X 12"s and it rocks

It sounds great and has a nice stereo spread and its sounds so clean. But if you are going to do something simlilar make sure the speakers and the amp are matched well. Also sometimes depending on the venue i will split my cabs so i can make full use off running the amp stereo.

Here is a pic of how i usually have it set up at gigs. Sorry about the poor picture quality ive just sifted through a load of gig photos to get a picture of it and i had to zoom in a touch.