Ampeg PF500/PF115 vs Carvin BR515N

timber22 · #1 11-13-2011, 02:34 PM

I'm considering these two combos and I'd like to know if anyone has been able to play them side by side, or has experience with both.
I play classic and some modern rock and blues, using passive G&L basses (SB-1, SB-2, JB-2).
I'd like to be able to use the combo for small/medium gigs and add a second 115 cab (probably of the same manufacturer/design) for situations were more volume is needed.

Similarities?
They are similar in specs in many ways. 300W at 8 ohms and 500W at 4 ohms. About 50-55lbs. Both have a 115 cab from the same manufacturer and similar design that can be added.
Differences?
Carvin has many more EQ possibilities. Good and bad in my opinion. I like EQ to be pretty simple, but I also do like graphic EQ. Maybe it's just easier for me to see or visualize. Carvin has a tube pre, but the Ampeg can get somewhat "tubey" with the gain turned up.
Carvin can go to 2 ohms. Nice to have, but I'm not sure it'll matter for what I'm looking to use them for.
Carvin has tilt back capability, which is nice.
Carvin is about $700 shipped. Ampeg is about $800 shipped.
I've read good things about both, and also some bad.
Carvin BX500 was problematic when first released but I understand they've been pretty trouble free after initial problems.
Ampeg PF500 has had some reported clipping or cutting out issues by some people, and some complaints about not being particularly loud for 300W.

Having said all of this, any opinions on the comparison of these two? Yes I know this is another "help me pick an amp" thread and the best answer is to play them both and decide for myself. But, I have no way to try the Carvin. I've never even seen one in person. I have played the Ampeg in a music store and liked it a lot. But, it's difficult IMO to really test an amp in a music store. I've had other Carvin gear in the past and liked it a lot, with no problems.

JimmyM · #2 11-13-2011, 02:39 PM

Never heard any issues about the PF500 not being "loud enough" for 300w at 8 ohms. I've heard of a small handful of people having cutting out issues, but the vast majority of folks don't have it. My PF350 doesn't have it, for sure. Don't know which one you'd like the best, but there's never been a Carvin amp made I liked better than Ampeg.

timber22 · #3 11-13-2011, 03:44 PM

Thanks Jimmy. I appreciate your opinion. Most of what I've read on TB is that people love the PF500/PF115 combination.
As I said, I did play through one in a store and really liked it, but I did feel I needed to crank the gain pretty good to get some grit, and isn't that when some people are experiencing the cutting out issue?

JimmyM · #4 11-13-2011, 04:16 PM

I thought it was closer to the point of trying to get more power out of it than it's capable of delivering, and not just because the gain was cranked. I've cranked the gain heavily in all those heads and have yet to get any of them to cut out. This makes me think that it's either the protection circuit doing what it's supposed to do by shutting it down temporarily when someone tries to exceed the amount of power it's capable of putting out, or it's isolated manufacturing problems here and there, for which Ampeg will make good.

JeepSahara · #5 11-13-2011, 04:58 PM

I bought the Carvin combo about 3 or 4 months ago and I absolutly LOVE it!!! I will say I never tried the Ampeg so I am biased and I am sure that you can't go wrong with either. In my opinion the price is what drew me to Carvin. I had never owned any Carvin gear before and this was my first big boy amp that I bought to use in the number of different gigging bands I play in. That being said about a month after getting the Carvin I bought an add on cab which just made the whole setup up totally amazing. I have never had a single problem with mine. I will say too that I like having something a little different than anyone else too. The sound is great and with the EQ that it comes with you can really dial in your sound. One of the things that I also really like that you mentioned is the tilt back design I can't tell you how nice this is and again something new to me with this combo. I am not sure this is any help but save the $100 bucks get the Carvin and put that money towards an add on cab.

timber22 · #6 11-13-2011, 05:13 PM

Thanks Jeep. You aren't from the Eastern end of PA are you?

TravTrav · #7 11-13-2011, 05:40 PM

Can I derail real quick? Sorry.

I really like the idea of these Class D amps, but are they serviceable? Like if something goes wrong, are you just left with a paperweight?

Also, I'm not trying to bash these products. I genuinely want to know. I'm thinking about getting one of the PF heads, they look great.

And GREAT avatar, timber22.

Rob Martinez · #8 11-13-2011, 05:47 PM

I played the PF500 through an Ampeg cab at a local store and it was great. Powerful and versatile, with a nice, pure tone.

JeepSahara · #9 11-13-2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timber22

Thanks Jeep. You aren't from the Eastern end of PA are you?

Actually I am from Western PA, the not so wonderful town of Johnstown in fact.

JimmyM · #10 11-13-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravTrav

Can I derail real quick? Sorry.

I really like the idea of these Class D amps, but are they serviceable? Like if something goes wrong, are you just left with a paperweight?

Also, I'm not trying to bash these products. I genuinely want to know. I'm thinking about getting one of the PF heads, they look great.

And GREAT avatar, timber22.

Many are serviceable. The Ampeg stuff uses PCB's but doesn't use any surface mounted components that I can see. Genz Benz has said their stuff is serviceable.