NAMM: Peavey Pro 1600 Bass Head

(Click for a close-up)

Peavey announced the new Pro 1600 bass amplifier head, the latest addition to the Pro Series of bass amplifiers and enclosures.

Peavey crammed 1600 Watts of power into the Pro 1600 head, with several operational modes accessible through its built-in crossover. Users can switch among bi-amp, mono, stereo and full-range with sub modes to route the amp's power into various loudspeaker configurations. The power amp and supply use Peavey's Power Shift system, which allows the amp to be reconfigured when changing between modes.

When the amp is switched to stereo or full-range with sub modes, the amp puts out 800 Watts into 2 Ohms per side. When in mono mode, it automatically bridges the two amps to create a massive 1600 Watt amp that drives 4 Ohms. Since the sub output typically requires more power than the high output, the Pro 1600 automatically shifts the power to the sub when the amp is in bi-amp mode, resulting in a 1200 Watt amp for the lows and a 400 Watt amp for the highs. This Peavey Power Shift technology creates a bi-amped system that is as loud as if the amp were a typical 2400 Watt power amp, but without the extra size and weight.

The Pro 1600 also features three-band fully parametric EQ (low mid, mid and high mid) switchable from wide to narrow bandwidth and adjustable from 40 Hz up to 8 kHz for total sound control. This feature allows bassists to boost or cut amplitude and adjust frequency and bandwidth to carve out entirely individual tones. Traditional low and high EQ controls and a contour control also offer opportunities for tweaking tone.

Peavey DDT compression protects the amplifier and speakers from clipping and distortion. This bass amp head also features a tube preamp. This amplifier also includes a Mute function; Pad for reducing the input level by 10 dB; two effects loops; XLR line outs; and 1/4" and Neutrik outputs.

Features

• 800 Watts per side into 2 Ohms; 1600 Watts into 4 Ohms bridged
• Built-in crossover with four modes: bi-amp, mono, stereo and full range with sub
• Peavey Power Shift and DDT technology
• Three-band, fully parametric EQ
• Two individual effects loops
• Mute and Pad functions
• Switching power supply
• DDT speaker protection
• 1/4" and Neutrik inputs
• Two rack spaces
• U.S. MSRP $1999.99

The Pro 1600 will be available in April 2004.