Hellborg Mono 1000 or LWA-"R" 1000 ---any interest? :)

KevinK

KevinK

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I've had some time to experiment with my amp equipment this summer...and discovered some really desirable combinations:

***HB Pre (DI out) > PreSonus 16.0.2 mixer (xlr mono out w/trim control) > LWA (effects return) > cab x = simply outstanding tone! (mixer was used for the ability to adjust/increase the output signal to the LWA amp.

***Hellborg Pre > LWA1000 (effects return) > cab x = same outstanding tone/just needs way more amp master volume to keep up.

***HB Pre (DI out) > PreSonus mixer > Crown XLS2500 (stereo bypass mode/1 channel @4ohms/775w) > cab x = close to outstanding tone!

Imo, the Crown amp produces a slightly more sterile/less warm bass tone, compared to the LWA amp section, and definitely benefits from a higher input signal. Crown got the quiet fan/weight correct...but it's 2RU. :-(

(Btw, I've tried all these setups, using either the HB BigCab or a pair of Bergantino CN112s...)

I often use the LWA by itself, but I'm frequently adjusting the LWA pre knobs, trying to dial in a tone...whereas, with the HB Pre (set @flat eq)...basses honestly just sound awesome--->which makes me want to somehow keep using it!

In summary,

Using the HB Pre and LWA together, has me envisioning a couple of sick (20 lbs or under/2RU total) combo ideas!

Hellborg Pre (@10 lbs) paired with:

Choice A--->
Hellborg Mono 1000 (@4ohm) amp:
~HB brushed aluminum face
~Class D amp
~Input sensitivity @0dBu???
~1RU
~under 10 lbs

or

Choice B--->
Warwick LWA-R 1000 (@4ohm) amp:
~"R" for rack version
~silver or black (with a touch of bubinga somewhere on the face plate :-))
~Class D amp (same as current LWA) only/no pre
~Input sensitivity @0dBu???
~1RU
~under 10 lbs

As far as desired input sensitivity...I'm not tech savvy enough to know what the best spec number should be...I just know it needs to operate optimally with a lower preamp signal? My obvious preference would be Choice A...but, I'd jump at the availability of either! Maybe you already have a favorite pre you'd pair with a potential LWA-R for a powerful lightweight rack unit???

Using existing Warwick technology, wouldn't this be fairly straight-forward to develop? Wouldn't there be a market for something like this? At least food for thought...

What say you??? :-)
 
I would probably buy a LWA Poweramp only for the same purpose
 
This would actually be amazing as an option.

Hellborg Mono 1000, even using the existing 2RU faceplate, or downsize to 1RU. Have it switchable between 8, 4, 2 ohms, like the current Hellborg series.

I foresee 1 potential issue...

Could you use these with the Hellborg cabs? Which are specifically designed to be driven by an output transformer?

I run HB Pre > HB Mono 500 > HB Hicab for small / medium gigs at the moment, adding a HB Mono 250 and another Hicab for larger gigs.

Is there such a thing as a Class D OP transformer?
 
IIRC I used the HB cabs with tubepath amp before, and the sound was great
 
Both Class D (LWA1000 and Crown XLS2500) amps also sound amazing with the HB cabs! Though, I prefer the LWA (amp only via effects return) over the XLS. I'd simply like to have the LWA amp section put into a 1RU (or 2RU) rackmount design, that operates optimally with a lower preamp output signal (0), rather than what the XLS amps require (+1.4)... It could look like it goes with either the HB or LWA series amplification, although probably wider interest, if it looked like part of the LWA line.

Not taking anything away from the current LWA amp...just think it would also be nice to have a Warwick lightweight 1000w amp only offering, to sit under a pre of your choice! But apparently...I've only "sold" 3 so far! lol :-)
 
I got my hellborg from someone with an XLS who was having to put another preamp between the hellborg and the XLS to get a high enough input. too much faff so he traded it with me.

I run it into an ashdown power amp and only started getting on with the sound when I cranked the master on the hellborg all the way up.
Anyone know why it seems to have just slightly too little output?


I also am not sure a 1000w lightweight poweramp would be worth Warwick making... there are lots others on the market peavey IPR for example
 
LukeFRC said:
I got my hellborg from someone with an XLS who was having to put another preamp between the hellborg and the XLS to get a high enough input. too much faff so he traded it with me.

I run it into an ashdown power amp and only started getting on with the sound when I cranked the master on the hellborg all the way up.
Anyone know why it seems to have just slightly too little output?


I also am not sure a 1000w lightweight poweramp would be worth Warwick making... there are lots others on the market peavey IPR for example
Click to expand...

must be something wrong - pre has lots of clean gain
 
+1, Hellborg pre must have plenty of output, if you use the right gain settings.
 
Florin said:
+1, Hellborg pre must have plenty of output, if you use the right gain settings.
Click to expand...
do you know how much it's designed to give out at all?

A lot of the newer class D amps seem to need a bigger input.
the guy I picked mine up from had an QSC amp with a 1.2 Vrms input sensitivity and apparently couldn't get enough from the Hellborg without going via another separate preamp.
 
LukeFRC said:
do you know how much it's designed to give out at all?

A lot of the newer class D amps seem to need a bigger input.
the guy I picked mine up from had an QSC amp with a 1.2 Vrms input sensitivity and apparently couldn't get enough from the Hellborg without going via another separate preamp.
Click to expand...

HB Pre output is 0dBu...HB Mono 500 input sensitivity is 0dBu...obviously, a well-matched pair. +1 with your QSC comment, as I believe the 0 dBu = approx 0.7 Vrms???

The HB Pre DOES work with other amps (with Input Sensitivity requirements of 1.2-1.5) by using higher gain/master levels. Ime, it's not aaas clean...also the bass doesn't sound quite aaas good, as when using a higher (matching the amp) pre output signal. :-)
 
Used to play one HLF too, haha! Boomy cab, not very loud, but nice sounding
 
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