Need a decent power amp

[lhrocker]

I'm looking to build a small rack rig and need a power amp. I'm not picky about tube/ss as much as weight. I'd rather not have a 2 pound pre and a 50 pound power amp. I'd also like to stay under $500. I've looked at Rocktron Velocity and Marshall Valvestate for SS. What can you guys recommend?

Also, this is not a "sell me a power amp ad". I just want some information.

[Frigo89]

I've got one of the old 2-space Rocktron Velocity 300s

I had a Mesa 2:90 for a while, and moved it for the velocity, the tone is amazing and the price tag is too!

[jk2171]

Marshall 9100 is a great power amp for around that price, or under.

[Rockinloud]

I have an old Lee Jackson Perfect Connection solid state power amp that I bought new in the late 80's/early 90's & it's still going strong. Single rack space and not too heavy weight wise. I prefer my Mesa 2:90 or VHT 2:50:2 but it does a nice job. Not sure how hard they are to find.

[catzodellamarina]

Lightweight poweramps:
I've owned an ADA MicroFET 100. No balls. For strictly home use, it will do OK. Also makes a good bingo hall amp.
I've played through a guy's ADA MicroTube 200. Same single rack space as above model but it had much better tone and more guts. I'd take a chance if you can find.
I currently own a MOSValve 962. They are 2 rack spaces, light, always inexpensive, and dependable. I think it's rated at 80 w/p/ch into 4 ohms. It's OK but doesn't deliver the natural low-end and "girth" you get from a tube poweramp of same size.

Of the lightweight catagory, I would have to say that the Mesa 20/20 with the low-end mod has the best tone & balls per weight ratio. They are also at least 2X the cost of the above amps I listed.

[markD]

i had a valvestate 80/80 for awhile. i used it with a soldano SP77 and an ADA MP1. it was okay...loud enough, but didn't have any balls. then i got a peavey classic 50/50. it was pretty good. it was loud, had presence and focus controls, and wasn't that heavy. i liked the EL84 tubes also. it is a 2 space amp, so i don't know if that is bigger than you want.

[lhrocker]

I picked up a Crown XLS 1000. I'll use it and see how it works as I have 30 days to put it thru its paces. Worse thing, I could keep it for bass or sound reinforcement.

[chrisolson]

Another vote for Rocktron - I had the Velocity 300. It rocked.

[straycat]

I have a Randall RRM-2-120 and its a monster SS power amp.
Takes up two spaces.
I have an ADA microtube 100 and is OK just no bottom end.

[cornstar70]

Just slightly over your price range, but this looks like a great deal.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=TS100

[lhrocker]

I picked up a few pieces to try:

Crown XLS1000 - PA amp, 1000 watts bridged into 1100 watts bridged into 4 ohms - for the power it's supposed to put out, it's not extremely loud
Marshall Valvestate 8008, 80 watts per side, extremely loud, heaviest of the bunch
ADA B200S - 100 watts per side

I've got a lot of jamming to do, but hopefully one of them will be a keeper.

[Grim]

Mesa 2:90 or Atomic MB-50

[jgcable]

Another vote for the Velocity 300. Outstanding SS power amp. Extremely powerful and its really hard to tell the difference between it and a Tube power amp. Not heavy either.