THE ULTIMATE GUITAR POWER AMP

STUDIO POWER AMP - $4,000

You may also be interested in:
STUDIO PREAMP - $3,000 (see our STUDIO PREAMP page)
STUDIO-SYSTEM (power amp + preamp package deal) - $6,300

The STUDIO was the first variable-power production amplifier and it still outperforms all others in sheer flexibility and tonal range. All of the sonic textures available from previous versions of the STUDIO are here - plus worlds more!

The STUDIO model was the first production guitar amp with Power Scaling. That simple 0-10W amp has evolved into a state-of-the-art component system comprised of a power amplifier and preamplifier. Splitting the system into two chassis provides extreme flexibility. There is enough panel space to give the player control for every parameter - things that only the amp designer could see or choose. Now the player can configure the circuit however it sounds best.

The STUDIO POWER AMP

Considering the tonal versatility of a single STUDIO amp, having two in the same chassis is a mind-boggling proposition - and a wonderfully useful tool in the recording studio!

POWER UNDER CONTROL

STUDIO POWER AMP is a dual amplifier with two complete 0-25W amplifiers in one chassis. This topology allows independent use of the two paths, or lets the unit be used like a channel switcher - all while driving a single cabinet or separate cabinets. The Linking switches program how STUDIO POWER AMP responds to foot-switch inputs, and controls input and output connectivity.

With this much power, clean headroom is not a problem in the recording environment. With Power Scaling, being "too loud" is not a problem either, and accessing power tube compression and distortion at low-SPLs is easy. Over 44dB of dynamic power range is available, allowing you to dial down to "unusably quiet".

Each path has its own set of tubes and controls, so it really is like having separate amplifiers. Any octal power tube with the standard pin-out can be fitted in pairs or in any combination: 6CA7, 6L6, 6V6, 5881, 6550, EL-34, KT-66, KT-77, KT-88, or any variant.

POWER WITH FINESSE

Like the STUDIO amps that came before it, STUDIO POWER AMP has the usual array of unique power amp controls London Power originated. Of course, the POWER SCALE control governs output power. There are separate BODY controls for each power tube, allowing either to be dialed in or out for single-ended tones. Dial tones from the tiniest "champ" to the largest push-pull amp. Single-ended power is 1W clean and 5W distorted.

Each power tube has its own T-U-P switches (Triode/Ultra-linear/Pentode) allowing different operating modes for the output tubes. Pentode sound is punchy and loose; triode sound is tight and restrained; ultralinear is in between. Use VIBE to expand or restrain these sonic characters. VIBE also controls how tightly the speaker behaves, particularly for bass and mids. SHAPE acts as a low-frequency contour, and SPARKLE is like a 'presence' control.

The bias method and level can be set with the K (Cathode-bias) and H (heat) switches, respectively, providing pure fixed-bias, pure cathode-bias or a mix of both. Access the sound of true class-A performance - not what others claim to be class-A.

UNRIVALED INPUT ADAPTABILITY

The input accepts signals from anywhere you wish to derive them: from a guitar, from effects, from a preamplifier, even from another amp's speaker output.

The LO-Z input accepts signals from low-impedance sources such as preamp or effect outputs, mixer outputs, or speaker outputs from another amplifier. A switchable 20db pad reduces hot levels to something closer to typical line levels. The ISO-LO-Z input is a transformer-isolated version of LO-Z. LO-Z takes priority over the ISO-LO-Z input.

The HI-Z input accepts signals form any guitar or bass, including raw peizo outputs. Inserting a cable into HI-Z prioritizes this input over both LO-Z inputs.

Gain switches B1 and B2 allow this wide range of signal adaptability along with voicing shifts. This can be thought of as being similar to a 'plexi' input with a "bright" and a "fat" path. Selecting either boost switch is akin to jacking into one input on a 'plexi'. Selecting both boosts is like having a 'plexi' with bridged inputs.

You don't really need a preamp with STUDIO POWER AMP. It can do it all. But... it also works well with any preamp you wish to connect to it. Note that STUDIO POWER AMP's low noise and wide bandwidth will reveal surprising noise output from certain brands of preamplifier.

The low-level stages use standard-pinout dual-triodes: 12AT7, 12AU7, 12AX7, 12AY7, 5751, 7025, ECC-81, ECC-82, ECC-83, or any variants in any combination. Optimal clean headroom is with three 12AT7s per channel.

OUTPUT FLEXIBILITY

There are taps to provide maximum power bandwidth for 4, 8 and 16 ohm speakers - otherwise, just set the tap to any value that sounds good. The speaker phase can also be reversed or muted via front panel switch R. This allows the relative phase and the absolute phase to be controlled in critical applications where a specific sound must be matched. Like all Power Scaled amps from London Power, you can operate the amp without a load and just go direct into a board.

Each path has its own transformer-isolated line output. The LINE control sets this signal level after the rest of the amp is configured. The line signal is derived at the speaker output, so everything except the speaker frequency shaping is captured. Just like all Power Scaled amplifiers, STUDIO POWER AMP can be operated without an actual speaker load at reduced Power Scale settings.

SYSTEM FLEXIBILITY

STUDIO POWER AMP can be used as a channel-switching guitar amplifier into one cabinet, or as a channel-switching amp into separate cabinets. Use front-loaded effects and guitar speaker cabinets - just play.

STUDIO POWER AMP can be used just as one would use a stereo power amplifier, through either guitar cabinets or full-range monitor speakers. Each channel can be used independently for different functions or for different instruments.

STUDIO POWER AMP accommodate's London Power's STAGE LINK system. Either channel or both channels can be placed under STAGE LINK control, or one channel can be with the other used independently.

4U with front tube access, front bias adjust and measurement access.

STUDIO-POWER AMP Front Panel - click to enlarge

Interested in purchasing a STUDIO POWER AMP, STUDIO PREAMP, or both? We are now taking new orders! Please contact us at amps@londonpower.com, or 807-473-0952, and we can inform you on lead-time and shipping costs.