WSA: Amplify my Helix

JonHosker

WSA (Wanting some advice!)
I have recently moved back to a Helix and wanting to power it at home rather than always using headphones.
Mono is fine and have no space for powered stereo speakers anyway.

GRGuitars powered amp: Had a Redsound powered amp for a Kemper about four years ago which was great sounding.  They now appear to be sold as GRGuitars, made in Italy and back control panel looks identical to the Redsound I had.

Any thoughts? other options?

Line 6 Powercab - physically big, and sound?
Seymour D. power stage amp and Zilla Cab? - noisy fan?

Ta Jon

digitalscream

JonHosker said:

WSA (Wanting some advice!)
I have recently moved back to a Helix and wanting to power it at home rather than always using headphones.
Mono is fine and have no space for powered stereo speakers anyway.

GRGuitars powered amp: Had a Redsound powered amp for a Kemper about four years ago which was great sounding.  They now appear to be sold as GRGuitars, made in Italy and back control panel looks identical to the Redsound I had.

Any thoughts? other options?

Line 6 Powercab - physically big, and sound?
Seymour D. power stage amp and Zilla Cab? - noisy fan?

Ta Jon

The SD Powerstage fans are not loud - in fact, they're barely audible. They're also excellent, and the EQ is very good for getting a bigger sound at low volumes.

Helix -> SD Powerstage -> Guitar cab is exactly how I ran mine, both at home and gigging, and it sounded excellent no matter where I was. Best rig I've ever had.

Musicwolf

How much volume do you need (as you state home use)?

At home I run my Helix and Kemper through my studio monitors.  I have Neumann KH80's but you don't need to spend as much if you are not attempting any serious mixing.

flying_pie

If it's for home use and not dead loud then a small pair of monitors like Presonus Eris 3.5 takes up hardly any space

Sporky

I have Eris 8s for mine, because more = better

guitargeek62

I use(d) an AMT Tube-Cake 3w pedal amp for my HX, into a Zilla Fatbaby for home use, it was a bloody perfect combination and had no extraneous noise at all!




I've since reverted to 'real' amps again, but I've kept the TC3 just in case I ever go back to this type of rig.


I see they've now released a very neat version that could easily be integrated under a pedalboard, or even into a cab directly. That said, I'd rather not send monies to russian companies right now so I would look for used ones if this appealed to you (your politics may vary!)

NickB

I use a Fryette Powerstation and a 1x12 cab. Great for home use and gigging. 

Musicman20

guitargeek62 said:

I use(d) an AMT Tube-Cake 3w pedal amp for my HX, into a Zilla Fatbaby for home use, it was a bloody perfect combination and had no extraneous noise at all!




I've since reverted to 'real' amps again, but I've kept the TC3 just in case I ever go back to this type of rig.


I see they've now released a very neat version that could easily be integrated under a pedalboard, or even into a cab directly. That said, I'd rather not send monies to russian companies right now so I would look for used ones if this appealed to you (your politics may vary!)

Man that Zilla looks amazing! Nice and compact as well it seems?!

guitargeek62

@Musicma20 Thanks! Yep on both counts, the TC is crazy small, and the Zilla (vertical Fatbaby 1x12) doesn't take up much room either, but lifts the speaker up a bit too - no idea if that helps/hinders the sound, but I like it in action!  

I'm still using the Zilla with other amps, it's loaded with a Celestion G12H Creamback and covers a lot of ground - highly recommended.

JonHosker

That Zilla looks gorgeous!! Ta for the advice all

fretmeister

I have a pair of Yamaha HS7 monitors for home use.

Sounds great.

jaytmon

Those GR Guitars ones look very nice and have a price tag to match, especially the carbon fibre ones!

I’ve been using a Laney LFR112 which I also use for gigging. Not exactly compact but sounds pretty good. Also been considering the DV Mark Powered cab, mainly as it’s quite a bit lighter than the Laney. 

robinbowes

JonHosker said:

WSA (Wanting some advice!)
I have recently moved back to a Helix and wanting to power it at home rather than always using headphones.
Mono is fine and have no space for powered stereo speakers anyway.

GRGuitars powered amp: Had a Redsound powered amp for a Kemper about four years ago which was great sounding.  They now appear to be sold as GRGuitars, made in Italy and back control panel looks identical to the Redsound I had.

Any thoughts? other options?

Line 6 Powercab - physically big, and sound?
Seymour D. power stage amp and Zilla Cab? - noisy fan?

Ta Jon

As others have already said - what sort of volume do you need?

I use my Helix at home (both the Rack and Helix Native embedded in Logic) through my desktop monitors, which are Genelec 8040Bs.

Live, I use it through the PA with a HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 XA for monitoring. I sometimes bring one home if I want to dial in sounds, or be loud!

R.

JonHosker

I don’t need loads of volume, use a Spark 40 as well. Prefer a mono ‘amp’ solution, but quality sound and lightweight.

NelsonP

Laney LFR112 ot IRT-X

MtB

I have the helix on my office desk (80cm x 160cm) wired up to a pair of Presonus Eris 3.5 speakers and then a Sony SRS-XB13 bluetooth speaker linked to my laptop so I can play along to a backing track or recording.  

Jetfire

I have an LT I use with Presonus Monitors at home.  I tried the Sd170 and cab thing and via the fx loop of a tube amp, both weren't very good in my opinion 

Bod

I use the EHX 44 Magnum, works really well for home.  My lad even used it for a gig once, though the cab was miked

Jetfire

Bod said:

I use the EHX 44 Magnum, works really well for home.  My lad even used it for a gig once, though the cab was miked

Ummmm... Surely direct to desk from the helix would have been an option there?

Bod

Jetfire said:

Bod said:

I use the EHX 44 Magnum, works really well for home.  My lad even used it for a gig once, though the cab was miked

Ummmm... Surely direct to desk from the helix would have been an option there?

It was a college gig - 2 songs and something in the region of 12 acts.  It was easier to do it his way.

Lestratcaster

Not a Helix user but I normally run my Kemper through studio monitors (The Yamaha HS8's). I have a bit of a luxury I can turn them up quite loud and it sounds great. Having said that I plugged into my 1x12 cab for the first time in 2 years yesterday and I missed how good moving air sounds through a speaker cabinet!