Greetings gents! I just took ownership of a Matrix FR212 that my buddy was selling at a steal. I'm liking the cab so far but I am in need of a power amp to go with it. I was originally looking at powered cabs but he ...made me a deal I couldn't refuse - (godfather voice).
So anyway, I really want to make use of the flattest amp I can find to get the most authentic amp sounds from the AX8. Not sure if I want a rack amp like the Matrix but if that is the best pairing, I'm all for it. I've been considering pedalboard/mini head types that have come out recently, such as the Quilter (fx return). I had an ISP Stealth when I had the Amplifire and remember liking it but this cab is 4 ohm and the Stealth only does the full 180 watts into 8 ohms minimum, plus that insanely huge power supply! I also tried the SD PowerStage 170 and did not like it. My buddy is letting me try out his Fryette Power Station this weekend so we'll see how that goes.
I also thought about converting this cab to active by getting a plate type power amp, such as the Dayton, etc. The only thing I'm not sure about is the crossover. The Matrix has a custom crossover already so would I be able to disable or not use the one on the Dayton? Also, I'm not sure how cutting a large hole in this cab will affect the tone. It would definitely be more convenient tho!
Again, I'm really digging this cab so I'm looking to hold on to it for awhile and I don't mind carrying another piece of gear for great tones. And may I say this cab really does have that "amp in the room sound". I stayed up way too late last night playing because it just "felt" so good; even had that cab "bounce" when I stopped the strings after playing!
So what would you recommend as a good, clean, flat, quiet (i.e. fan noise), power amp pairing for this cab? Anyone have this exact cab? What worked for you or gave you the best results? I apologize if this had been beaten to death but I haven't seen a whole about this particular cab. Thanks!
So anyway, I really want to make use of the flattest amp I can find to get the most authentic amp sounds from the AX8. Not sure if I want a rack amp like the Matrix but if that is the best pairing, I'm all for it. I've been considering pedalboard/mini head types that have come out recently, such as the Quilter (fx return). I had an ISP Stealth when I had the Amplifire and remember liking it but this cab is 4 ohm and the Stealth only does the full 180 watts into 8 ohms minimum, plus that insanely huge power supply! I also tried the SD PowerStage 170 and did not like it. My buddy is letting me try out his Fryette Power Station this weekend so we'll see how that goes.
I also thought about converting this cab to active by getting a plate type power amp, such as the Dayton, etc. The only thing I'm not sure about is the crossover. The Matrix has a custom crossover already so would I be able to disable or not use the one on the Dayton? Also, I'm not sure how cutting a large hole in this cab will affect the tone. It would definitely be more convenient tho!
Again, I'm really digging this cab so I'm looking to hold on to it for awhile and I don't mind carrying another piece of gear for great tones. And may I say this cab really does have that "amp in the room sound". I stayed up way too late last night playing because it just "felt" so good; even had that cab "bounce" when I stopped the strings after playing!
So what would you recommend as a good, clean, flat, quiet (i.e. fan noise), power amp pairing for this cab? Anyone have this exact cab? What worked for you or gave you the best results? I apologize if this had been beaten to death but I haven't seen a whole about this particular cab. Thanks!
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