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This is an area where I've become quite the technophobe. On occassion I'd like to be able to combine certain features of separate amp heads, (as well as adding and combining different speaker cab configs).  I have a very basic understanding of impedance matching. In particular I have an Ampeg tube head that I was hoping to run into a higher wattage Trace Elliot amp <preamp "AH" series>, which I'd run into two cabs for a live gig.  Naturally I don't want to fry either component.  Do any of you know of any area's either online, or books that explain principles of daisy chaining, slaving, etc ?  I have almost no knowledge regarding Amp principles and aspects of outputs, line-in's, preamp line-in's, transformer balanced lines, balanced line-ins, signal out low level, high level, return lines, loops etc.  I'd appreciate any info as to area's where I might be able to read about these features,  What they mean,  what to never do,  how to run amp heads into other heads, preamps, power amps, etc.  Even running a direct line into a recording console. I don't wish to fry my equipment, or bother tech's each time I wish to try something.


Thanks.

Basicallly maximum power transfer occurs when the load impedance matches the source... Another factor to consider is the peak to peak output when the preamp has unity input ...  This should be less than the p-p input going into the unit being driven....
Over all gain structure requires a mid level (not unity or full blown gain) throughout the chain...

Asuming the Ampeg is a preamp such as the SVTMP mic preamp the outs should match the input to the Trace Elliot  Tubers z matching wasnt as critical as solid state....

 Google each term and there are tons of articles on each....Such as This

Give me a model # on the Ampeg and amp I'll try to find some specs and will have a better idea how to hook up...

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Older Ampeg B-25B (60 watt's Peak) into Trace Elliot AH150 (I believe). The Ampeg is ancient (7027's as opposed to 6L6's). The Trace is one of the older units that also went by the name Graphic Preamp 11 MP-5. In particular I like the EQ features on the Trace head and would like to run into two cabs which I have the option of doing with the Trace 8 ohm outs.  I don't with the B-25B. Problem is, I believe (yet don't know) when Daisy chaining tube into tranny, I lose some of the tone of tube, correct ?  Thanks Karyoker.  I really need to learn the basics of this stuff..   The B-25B is an older tube amp head, not a preamp.  The Trace however for some reason is referred to as a Preamp, yet works stand-alone as a 150W RMS head.  The Trace has several options for inputs. One is a preamp link line-in. Since I bought the amp without spec's, I'm not sure as to whether this is a passive, or active input. I assume it's ONLY safe to daisy chain a powered out to a passive input ?  Otherwise I'd be slaving the heads ?  Thanks for the google info btw.  What I was hoping for was a source where I could find out abit more about basic Amp principles. Just in terms of hookups really. Weber does Mod's, but to my knowledge doesn't have any sources out such as "Amp technology for dummies", the Weber (and Pittman) basic books require some prior knowledge of technical aspects. I'll check Amazon, see what's out there. Appreciate the help

Steve I'll do some more research From what I've found I think the ampeg is cab only they seem to prefer 2/15 cabs with it....  From my experience running a tuber preamp such as a mic preamp retains most of the vocal "richness"  going into tranny.....The richness I think is due to vibrations in the tube elements and the tranny amp actually has a better freq response than the tuber and is  linear which amps the input....

I'll see if I can find the specs on the Trace I cant remember the difference between passive and active inputs,  It should have capabilites for active or passive (active with preamp) Im getting tired will research more tomorrow....

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True,

   The B-25B was originally sold as a bass head with a matching cab that was 2x15. Just as the V-4B and SVT classic heads had cab configs as well (sold by Ampeg) to match their heads. I believe Ampeg used Celestion speakers throughout most of it's time. We used to refer to the SVT 8x10 cab as a refrigerator. Still own one. I had a friend put ElectroVoice SRO's  (I think that was the model) in aftermarket. Needless to say, the SVT cab doesn't move much these days (at 180 lbs)

The Trace prob has a 12ax7 for preamp and the tap (active) should go to pin 7 (12ax7 input)...Passive bypasses the preamp stage and is line level only....

Here is a good Link..

Note at the bottom the purist wants tubes throughout... I'm too old to be haulin fridges around I need whells for the eons

I'm gonna have to check when I go over to the farm turkey day I got some tube caddys prob dont have any 7077 but have 6L6 and 12ax7's  (they are tv caddys but have some)  anyway this thread took me back a few years I grew up workin on the tubers I could still shop out any amp if the filters are still availible....I like to stay original as possible.....
 Let me know what goes down I'm in area that my senilty cramps my expertise

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Trace is all tranny.   I think they have a higher wattage head that's hybrid, but not this one.


Yep,  I have a couple Class A amps. Vox, Marshall, and Soldano. I've picked up stuff over the years. (Hung onto it too). Don't know much about the tech aspects, left the tech stuff to the tech's. I just played the things, and have some knowledge of the specs. I just stay with the traditional amps, yet never spent money on the "Boutique" amps. Some of the less costly stuff sounds really nice too (such as the Peavey Classic series. Classic 30 & 25 are really nice amps.. Crate makes some decent older tube combo's as well, that were affordable). I've on occassion replaced and biased the heads during tube replacements, have an Eico tube tester but have become lazy and seldom use this stuff. If there's light coming from the tubes, (or I burn my finger's touching them) I assume they're fine. I think the SVT classic head is 6 6L66's, So glad I no longer have to replace those things with matching sets: Ampeg still makes that head, but they make it in many configurations. Still about 90 lbs too (for the classic), but not sure about the Pro series .

Collectible aspects I know abit about, (I'm a guitar collector).  I like tube amps for the styles I play, and can hear a difference between Tube and Tranny. Some of the tranny modeling amps come close, but not close enough IMHO for certain styles. The Marshall hybrid amps are nice; I couldn't tell the difference between hybrid and tube with the Marshall's, (yet didn't do a head to head either).  I have the older JCM-800 50 & 100 heads... 2205 and 2210 tube heads. Tube offers a warmer tone, and the distortion is nicer for stuff like Blues and Most classic rock.  All individual preference.  If I couldn't discern a difference, I'd make things easier for myself, and go with solid-state.

Thanks Much Karyoker.  I grew up in the same era.

Thanks for that link too !  I've marked that page and saved it. I especially like the "Unofficial Ampeg" page !

Take care !