Hi Enzo,
If you shake the hell out of something, there is a higher likelihood that you will break something at some point in time. That's compared to the same amp board in a quiet, non-vibrating location.
-Chris
If you shake the hell out of something, there is a higher likelihood that you will break something at some point in time. That's compared to the same amp board in a quiet, non-vibrating location.
-Chris
I understand the rationale, I just don't find it in practice, at least not in professional gear. We can disagree and still have a beer after work with a smile.
In guitar amps I cannot say that A fender Twin reverb combo amp fails any more often than a 100 watt Bassman head style amp. I repair as many crossovers and blown tweeter diaphragms in passive speakers as I do amps in powered speakers. Mackie SRM450s and 15" active subwoofers come in for repair, but it is not usually for failed connections or broken part leads, it is usually they blew it up trying too hard to fill the sky with sound. When the same DJ comes in for new diaphragms three times a year on the same powered speakers, my advice is get heftier speakers and learn how to control your volume, rather than buy passive speakers.
In guitar amps I cannot say that A fender Twin reverb combo amp fails any more often than a 100 watt Bassman head style amp. I repair as many crossovers and blown tweeter diaphragms in passive speakers as I do amps in powered speakers. Mackie SRM450s and 15" active subwoofers come in for repair, but it is not usually for failed connections or broken part leads, it is usually they blew it up trying too hard to fill the sky with sound. When the same DJ comes in for new diaphragms three times a year on the same powered speakers, my advice is get heftier speakers and learn how to control your volume, rather than buy passive speakers.
Hi Enzo,
My respect for the way Fender made those amps will never be diminished. But tube gear and high voltage has other failure modes not common to the average solid state amp, like a speaker amp combination. A normally long lasting solid state amplifier will show the defects that guitar heads tend not to. But you're right as far as your experience is concerned. I won't argue that - and we can have that beer. Maybe listen to a master with a Twin while the beer disappears. 🙂
-Chris
My respect for the way Fender made those amps will never be diminished. But tube gear and high voltage has other failure modes not common to the average solid state amp, like a speaker amp combination. A normally long lasting solid state amplifier will show the defects that guitar heads tend not to. But you're right as far as your experience is concerned. I won't argue that - and we can have that beer. Maybe listen to a master with a Twin while the beer disappears. 🙂
-Chris
well i guess because i'm a scotch drinker i differ on philosophy with respect to powered speakers and vibration as a failure source/cause i do think mechanical stress and abuse rank higher.
cheers gents
cheers gents
Wow.. I really opened a can of worms there didn't I. I own a bunch of professional powered speakers but also racks of amps and passive speakers and both are superior to a powered mixer IMO. I get that these powered heads make for a nice compact PA for the gigging musician but they often become needlessly restrictive once you move past a basic 2 speaker setup.
As for the OPs original proposal a modern SMPS power supply would certainly lighten the load but I don't see adding upgraded amplifiers as being cost effective. High powered rack amplifiers are dirt cheap these days and you can even have some DSP processing with those which will vastly improve overall performance. The quick and relatively easy solution would be to replace the old heavy iron supply and amplifiers with a modern SMPS with just enough current output to feed the mixer section, and then put the money you would have spent on DIY amplifier kits into a Behringer inuke DSP or similar. Just my thoughts of course, this is a DIY site so if you want to tackle a full swap with amps then go for it, I'm sure somebody here can suggest a good source for kits.
As for the OPs original proposal a modern SMPS power supply would certainly lighten the load but I don't see adding upgraded amplifiers as being cost effective. High powered rack amplifiers are dirt cheap these days and you can even have some DSP processing with those which will vastly improve overall performance. The quick and relatively easy solution would be to replace the old heavy iron supply and amplifiers with a modern SMPS with just enough current output to feed the mixer section, and then put the money you would have spent on DIY amplifier kits into a Behringer inuke DSP or similar. Just my thoughts of course, this is a DIY site so if you want to tackle a full swap with amps then go for it, I'm sure somebody here can suggest a good source for kits.
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From the SpeakerPower Tips and Tricks PDF:
"• Leave the back of the amplifier open to the inside of the cabinet. Do not put into a sub enclosure."
That said, SP do make very nice stuff and I have been happily using one for quite a few years -- (wait for it) in a rack.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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