Linking two amps together??

[Gear_Junky]

el19, you're right, I misunderstood (because it IS confusing).

you're still gonna have to wire up the 2 speakers together as a single load. from what i'm reading online (i am NOT an expert, i'm only participating, because i've had similar thoughts and also have an SCXD).. so, from what i'm reading online you can either connect the 2 8-Ohm speakers in series and that gives you a 16-Ohm load, which will work, but likely won't give you the increased volume with this amp (unless i'm wrong, but that's how i read it) or if you wire them up in parallel you'll get a 4-ohm load, which is a no-no here.

also, from what i'm reading you do need speakers to be matched (identical) for best performance.

Now, what I was talking about, which still applies regardless of me misunderstanding what you meant:

SCXD consists of a fully-digital preamp (let's call it Pre-XD) and a Class A/B tube power section (Pwr-XD). The amp comes stock with a "line-out" (preamp-level signal), but has no "line in" or "return" - a way to inject signal (like from an external preamp) into the power section. But there's a mod where you can add the "Line In" and create a valid "FX Loop".

So then, if you found another preamp you like (SansAmp or a tube preamp or whatever), you could do this:

1) guitar -> A/b Switch -> Pre-XD -> Pwr-XD -> whatever speaker load you design (either just the internal SCXD speaker OR driving a cab)

2) guitar -> a/B Switch -> Preamp 2 -> Pwr-XD (via line-in) -> speaker load

From what I know the FX Loop would function either way and you'd be switching between 2 preamps.

Cost of 1 extra SCXD's (they went up in price) = $330

vs.

Cost of buying a new preamp - $30-200 (you can find a used Tech 21 SansAmp or you can even try the Behringer GDI-21 - it's a clone of SansAmp GT2 and only costs $30 - it's really good, but you'll really have to audition these)
Cost of a Crate closed-back V-series 2x12 = $120 shipped

The benefit of just driving a closed-back 2x12 vs. having a virtual open-back "2x10" is really it's gonna sound bigger/better. Maybe you even have a cab.

That's how I would do it. Cost of parts/wiring you'll have either way.

But personally, if I was looking at having a $600+ rig, I'd start looking at all-tube amps with 2 channels. I'm not bent on Fender sound, so I'd audition the Epiphone Blues Custom 30. I also tried the Crate V-Series head/cab rig (total cost $300) and thought it sounded good. I'd get it, but I don't have room

 

[elenore19]

el19, you're right, I misunderstood (because it IS confusing).

you're still gonna have to wire up the 2 speakers together as a single load. from what i'm reading online (i am NOT an expert, i'm only participating, because i've had similar thoughts and also have an SCXD).. so, from what i'm reading online you can either connect the 2 8-Ohm speakers in series and that gives you a 16-Ohm load, which will work, but likely won't give you the increased volume with this amp (unless i'm wrong, but that's how i read it) or if you wire them up in parallel you'll get a 4-ohm load, which is a no-no here.

also, from what i'm reading you do need speakers to be matched (identical) for best performance.

Now, what I was talking about, which still applies regardless of me misunderstanding what you meant:

SCXD consists of a fully-digital preamp (let's call it Pre-XD) and a Class A/B tube power section (Pwr-XD). The amp comes stock with a "line-out" (preamp-level signal), but has no "line in" or "return" - a way to inject signal (like from an external preamp) into the power section. But there's a mod where you can add the "Line In" and create a valid "FX Loop".

So then, if you found another preamp you like (SansAmp or a tube preamp or whatever), you could do this:

1) guitar -> A/b Switch -> Pre-XD -> Pwr-XD -> whatever speaker load you design (either just the internal SCXD speaker OR driving a cab)

2) guitar -> a/B Switch -> Preamp 2 -> Pwr-XD (via line-in) -> speaker load

From what I know the FX Loop would function either way and you'd be switching between 2 preamps.

Cost of 1 extra SCXD's (they went up in price) = $330

vs.

Cost of buying a new preamp - $30-200 (you can find a used Tech 21 SansAmp or you can even try the Behringer GDI-21 - it's a clone of SansAmp GT2 and only costs $30 - it's really good, but you'll really have to audition these)
Cost of a Crate closed-back V-series 2x12 = $120 shipped

The benefit of just driving a closed-back 2x12 vs. having a virtual open-back "2x10" is really it's gonna sound bigger/better. Maybe you even have a cab.

That's how I would do it. Cost of parts/wiring you'll have either way.

But personally, if I was looking at having a $600+ rig, I'd start looking at all-tube amps with 2 channels. I'm not bent on Fender sound, so I'd audition the Epiphone Blues Custom 30. I also tried the Crate V-Series head/cab rig (total cost $300) and thought it sounded good. I'd get it, but I don't have room

Alright, I'm glad some things are cleared up.
As far as linking the two speakers together, I wouldn't be doing it for increased volume, but rather to "spread out my sound". I'd have one speaker on one side of the stage and one on the other. Due to me being the only REAL instrument in the group. (yeah, burn on drummers. And yes, I am joking). So it helps out my volume right there. I've already been doing it more or less daisy chaining a cab on one side back to the speaker in the scxd.


As far as the digital/preamp all that jazz goes. I'm still SUPER confused. Would it make a difference if I used the "Speaker Out" as opposed to the line out? Or are you just giving a suggestion on what would be easier?

Either way I'm pretty much decided on not doing this whole dealio. But it's still fun to learn, and this is helping understand things better.

Just to clarify: So daisy chaining any two speakers together makes them a 16 ohm load?

Thanks again for all the input.

 

[Anfontan]

Alright, I'm glad some things are cleared up.
As far as linking the two speakers together, I wouldn't be doing it for increased volume, but rather to "spread out my sound". I'd have one speaker on one side of the stage and one on the other. Due to me being the only REAL instrument in the group. (yeah, burn on drummers. And yes, I am joking). So it helps out my volume right there. I've already been doing it more or less daisy chaining a cab on one side back to the speaker in the scxd.


As far as the digital/preamp all that jazz goes. I'm still SUPER confused. Would it make a difference if I used the "Speaker Out" as opposed to the line out? Or are you just giving a suggestion on what would be easier?

Either way I'm pretty much decided on not doing this whole dealio. But it's still fun to learn, and this is helping understand things better.

Just to clarify: So daisy chaining any two speakers together makes them a 16 ohm load?

Thanks again for all the input.

The difference in Speaker out is-this is the power output of the preamp & the power amp-the 15 watts of the scxd Fender amp.
The line out is the preamp by itself and would not drive a speaker.

I used a 12" extension speaker with a combo amp years ago to fill out the sound and also give the bass player-on the other side of the stage-a monitor of my guitar. It worked well and I didn't have to run the guitar through the Mains/monitors, so setup was very quick and easy.

 

[Gear_Junky]

el19, to "spread your sound" you need to mic your amp and have it go through the PA and floor monitors. that will sound better and it's "free"

re: daisy-chaining speakers, google "speaker impedance matching" and read up on that. I mean, I still don't understand what it means (of all the science they taught in school i am still hazy on most electrical stuff), but I know "that's how it is" so I just go with that.

 

[stevieb]

Alright, so here is a rough diagram of what I was thinking.

I diagrammed it with the speakers outside of the amps to make it more clear. Just think of the speakers as separate cabs, and the SCXD's don't have speakers.

Would this work?

Actually, the hardware DOES exist to make that work, although you need to think outside the box a bit.

GUITAR: any guitar will work.

AB BOX: Get an A-B-Y Box- it takes the place of the Y-plug, has switch positions to send guitar signal to one amp, the other, or both.

AMPS: You are fine there>

EXTENSION SPEAKERS: Here's where original thinking comes in- find two 8-inch AUDIO SUB WOOFERS that each have TWO speaker coils, and an extended upper range. The place we all love to hate- Radio Shack- used to sell just such an animal- I have two. Install them in separate cabs, each with two inputs, and there you go- but watch out for speaker inpedence issues.

If you want to lighten the load, take the chassis's out of the SCXD's and find or build some "head" boxes, install the chassis into them. You could "decouple" the chassis from the speaker/cab and achieve the same thing- it would be easy to reverse if you needed to bring an amp in for warranty.

ALTERNATIVE: Use a multi-effects pedal, such as a Digitech RP-7, that has stereo outputs, instead of the ABY box. Not quite the same results, but close.