Boos LS-2 in place of preamp

[AM]

Not a stompbox build question, more of a rig-build question.
I was thinking of utilising a Boss LS-2 Line Selector as a preamp for a very portable rig I'm building.
Signal chain is as follows: od->preamp->delay->power amp->cab.
Boss states at the manual that the  LS-2 can provide up to +20 dB boost. Does this mean that the pedal could successfully drive a power amp?
Output impedance is 1k.

[AM]

A quick update: I tried the LS-2 between my guitar and the line in of my mixing board. It seems to boost the signal enough. I didn't even have to max out the volume knob. Still not sure if it could do the job driving a power amp...

[PRR]

> not sure if it could do the job driving a power amp...

You could try it?

If you must *think* about it, you need numbers for how much signal comes off a guitar, how much off an "od", and how much signal a power amp Input needs.

[charmonder]

If the 20dB is not enough, I think you might be able to use a patch cable to use both A and B channels in series. double boosted

[AM]

You could try it?

Unfortunately I don't have a power amp designed for guitar purposes yet. I would like to make sure that my experiment can work and then buy it.
This is why I tried it in front of my powered studio monitors (which have built in power amps in them) and through one of the "line in" inputs of my mixing desk. It gave plenty of signal in both cases.
I've heard there is some voltage number (about 1v) the pedal needs to put out in order to drive a power amp properly...have no idea if that's true and what it really means.

[AM]

A gentle bump in case anybody has more info.

[JFace]

Most power amps require 1 to 1.4 V(rms) input to produce full output (check the manual, the parameter is called sensitivity). If the LS-2 produces 20 dB of boost, that is a gain of 10. To get 1V(rms) out of your LS-2, your guitar needs to produce approximately 100mV(rms) which is not out of reason. Especially if you are using hot pickups, or a pedal driving the LS-2. The quality of the setup is an entirely different matter.

[PRR]

> I don't have a power amp designed for guitar purposes yet

> in case anybody has more info.

So what would you get? Brand/model? Specs-sheet?

The specs for straight clean PA power amps are pretty standardized.

But "a power amp designed for guitar purpose" could be quite different. From PA amps, and even one brand to another.

I think JFace's numbers are plausible. Depending on power-amp specs.

However nearly all post-1950 guitar amp rigs can be driven to full power with 20mV. For many players, having to whack-out 100mV just to touch breakup will be tiresome.

An LPB in front does get you into the zone. But you say "very portable".

I don't see the double-boost path mentioned in another post.

"Many" players like some tone control in the path. A "dead clean and flat" signal path is usually boring. Naked steel strings need help.

[PRR]

"Whether used as a guitar amplifier or as a home stereo amplifier, the tube purist can enjoy the sounds of the TS100."
http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/TS100
http://www.carvinguitars.com/manuals/76-10111C-TS100.pdf

[AM]

...To get 1V(rms) out of your LS-2, your guitar needs to produce approximately 100mV(rms) which is not out of reason...

I have a set of DiMarzios on the guitar. PAF 36th Anniversary on the neck, Chopper T on the bridge. Taken directly from DiMarzio's site the specs are:
PAF 36th Anniversary output: 250 mV
Chopper T output: 260 mV
I'm assuming this is max and not rms though. Not sure...I don't find those pickups hot. Especially the 36th Anniversary, but if those numbers mean anything they should be able to provide what I need, right?

"Many" players like some tone control in the path. A "dead clean and flat" signal path is usually boring. Naked steel strings need help.

My intension is to use this "rig" as a super portable solution for certain rehearsals and some dive bar gigs where all I need to do is back a singer-pianist. I just need a vanilla clean tone for those situations. I'm not really chasing some great tone with it. In one place I rehearse there is a cab sitting there on a permanent basis. I thought carrying just one guitar and a tiny pedalboard with overdrive, LS-2, Delay and a small solid state power amp might do the job. Super easy to transport, set up, etc. The Carvin you linked to looks interesting but is too big for what I want. I'm thinking more towards a single 19" rack space solid state solution. Something like an EHX magnum would also be desirable size-wise but I hear the headroom on those things is practically non existent.