Pedal size, Class D power amps

victorludorum

I've just picked up an EHX Caliber 22 as a back up that I can easily stick in a pedal bag, but I have to say it's quite a noisy little bugger; there's much more hiss than my valve amps at the same volume. I've read some posts on the web that suggest that this is quite common, and I'm imagining that it's due to the cheap parts and small size. Does anyone else have the same issue?

Rocker

Probably the PSU not filtering the DC output but what do I know?

simonk

Mine was noisy... I think they just are. Fortunately I never had to use it other than to check it was still working.

digitalscream

Best one is the Seymour Duncan Powerstage 170, but they ain't cheap.

victorludorum

For a back-up this one will do fine. It sounds pretty good I think, considering its size.

Wazmeister

digitalscream said:

Best one is the Seymour Duncan Powerstage 170, but they ain't cheap.

Bingo.

Had mine a week, and it is an unbelievable silent piece of kit. Cheap as chips for the sound it gives you...

victorludorum

Just as a little update for anyone that's interested, I plugged the Caliber 22 in again today, but this time into a cab with a Celestion Blue. I only had to turn the amp up a smidge to get a decent, clean, home volume, and it wasn't as noisy as when I plugged into a tiny cab with a Jensen 8" ceramic. I guess this is all down to the sensitivity of the Blue, which is much higher than the little Jensen. Maybe it's just my mind playing with me, as I would imagine that a higher sensitivity would amplify the noise more too, but it didn't seem like it to me.

Wazmeister

SD 170 - full stop. Superb.

victorludorum

Wazmeister said:

SD 170 - full stop. Superb.

Too steep for my needs.

John_A

I used a magnum 44 for a good while.  Yes they are a bit hissy when turned up, certainly not an issue for me when playing.