[B]Carvin BX500 or Hartke LH500???[/B]

[bassben12]

Carvin BX500 or Hartke LH500??? let me know what you think, I've got the cabs picked out two 2x10 8ohm cabinets rated at 400w each. Just can't decide which amp head.

[lposavad]

I can't speak for the Hartke, but I like my BX500. It's voiced midrange heavy, so you have to bump up the lower frequencies, but it delivers just fine. I ran two Berg HT112's (8 ohms each) or a Berg HT322 with lots of output.

[onosson]

Originally Posted by bassben12

Carvin BX500 or Hartke LH500??? let me know what you think, I've got the cabs picked out two 2x10 8ohm cabinets rated at 400w each. Just can't decide which amp head.

I love my LH500, but I've never tried the Carvin. I stopped using my GK 700RBII after buying the Hartke.

[MysticMichael]

The two amps would seem to have relatively little in common - other than their 500-watt power ratings and the 12AX7 tube in the preamp. One has a stripped-down, traditional tone stack EQ in the preamp, plus (I'm guessing) maybe a Class A or Class A/B power amp (Samson doesn't say). The other has all the bells and whistles on the front end, and a Class D, SMPS output section.

Kind of the proverbial apple and orange, aren't they?

MM

[dukeisdog]

Don't own either, but I did play the Hartke. It's a great amp, lots of power, with great tone. Cant speak for the Carvin.

[45cmckay105]

If you aren't hung-up in the "super portable" aspect of a bass rig, I would recommend the Hartke. The tone stack sounds great with anything from 1x12's to 8x10's.

Unofficial word on the street was some aspects of the LH series pre were adapted from the Alembic F1-X.

I love mine, and am considering a second one for cross town rehearsal space.

Only complaint I have heard regarding the BX500 was numerous "factory upgrade/recalls" in early versions, and way too many EQ options...Is that really a problem?