paulmapp8306
Fractal Fanatic
So, I see many posts here with questions on the Art SLA-2 (200W per channel into 8 Ohms - 520W bridges into 8 Ohms).
I myself have ran the SLA-1 since getting my Axe (100W per side into 8 Ohms, 260 W Bridged into 8 Ohms).
i would like to share my experiences with volume/performance of the SLA series.
I recently did a check against a backing track played through my PA. Now its not the best quality, being the Wharfedale EVP Powered series but giving 129db max SPL it compares favourably with quality PAs like FBT (123 db) HK (128 db) and QSC (131db). Add to this the fact Im running a Pair of 12" tops, a pair of 15" tops and a pair of 15" subs it moves a considerable ammount of air at a considerable volume.
So - I played a rock and a blues backing track, with the PA wound up so the limiters on all 6 speakers were just flickering. This is going to be pretty much full SPL.
I played my Guitar/Axe over the top of the backing track. I use the SLA-1 Bridged into a VHT 2x12 Cab.
The guitar was quite a bit louder than the backing track - certainly up to solo volume levels if not a bit higher. To achieve this I had the amp set to -9bd and the Axe running at around 3 O'Clock ( so just over 3/4 max O/P). I also played a clean rhythm part over the blues track. I had to turn the Axe down to get the right mix with the backing track. No problems with headroom at these volumes at all.
The sound was crisp, full, punchy and LOUD. The Amps clip protection didnt blink at this level, and I susspect that there was some room to go higher still if needed before clip protection set in.
My conclusions here is that for anyone running a single cab - be it 1x12, 2x12 or 4x12 the SLA-1 is well up to the task (because you run the amp bridged for a single enclosure) and there is no need for the extra headroom the SLA-2 provides.
If you need to run 2 cabs for either a stereo set-up, or a full stack (although you could drive 2 x 4 Ohm 4x12s in series fine from the SLA-1 Bridged mode!!!) then the SLA-2 would be preferable. theres a slight drop in headroom (260W down to 200W) BUT as the SLA-1 was running at -9db in this test thats fine.
Quality of the amp is definately up there with anything else. Its quite for the studio - the fan is hardly noticeable, seems decent build (no problems at all in the 10 months Ive owned mine) and seems fine to be pushed for extended periods (often 4-5 hours at rehersals). All this in a 1U package at a decent - if not downright cheap price makes it hard to resist for potention users.
I myself have ran the SLA-1 since getting my Axe (100W per side into 8 Ohms, 260 W Bridged into 8 Ohms).
i would like to share my experiences with volume/performance of the SLA series.
I recently did a check against a backing track played through my PA. Now its not the best quality, being the Wharfedale EVP Powered series but giving 129db max SPL it compares favourably with quality PAs like FBT (123 db) HK (128 db) and QSC (131db). Add to this the fact Im running a Pair of 12" tops, a pair of 15" tops and a pair of 15" subs it moves a considerable ammount of air at a considerable volume.
So - I played a rock and a blues backing track, with the PA wound up so the limiters on all 6 speakers were just flickering. This is going to be pretty much full SPL.
I played my Guitar/Axe over the top of the backing track. I use the SLA-1 Bridged into a VHT 2x12 Cab.
The guitar was quite a bit louder than the backing track - certainly up to solo volume levels if not a bit higher. To achieve this I had the amp set to -9bd and the Axe running at around 3 O'Clock ( so just over 3/4 max O/P). I also played a clean rhythm part over the blues track. I had to turn the Axe down to get the right mix with the backing track. No problems with headroom at these volumes at all.
The sound was crisp, full, punchy and LOUD. The Amps clip protection didnt blink at this level, and I susspect that there was some room to go higher still if needed before clip protection set in.
My conclusions here is that for anyone running a single cab - be it 1x12, 2x12 or 4x12 the SLA-1 is well up to the task (because you run the amp bridged for a single enclosure) and there is no need for the extra headroom the SLA-2 provides.
If you need to run 2 cabs for either a stereo set-up, or a full stack (although you could drive 2 x 4 Ohm 4x12s in series fine from the SLA-1 Bridged mode!!!) then the SLA-2 would be preferable. theres a slight drop in headroom (260W down to 200W) BUT as the SLA-1 was running at -9db in this test thats fine.
Quality of the amp is definately up there with anything else. Its quite for the studio - the fan is hardly noticeable, seems decent build (no problems at all in the 10 months Ive owned mine) and seems fine to be pushed for extended periods (often 4-5 hours at rehersals). All this in a 1U package at a decent - if not downright cheap price makes it hard to resist for potention users.