Ampeg SVT 8

bluesbass99 · #1 08-04-2010, 06:13 PM

Just out of curiousity, has anyone compared the SVT 8 and the SVT VR or CL? I love the weight of the SVT compared the to hefty weights of either the VR or CL. I've been looking for a good used VR, but may hold out until the SVT 8 hits the resale market. I don't know about y'all, but $2,300 for an amp is a real big kick.

JimmyM · #2 08-04-2010, 06:29 PM

i've played every hybrid ampeg makes except the 8 pro, and while they're all really good sounding amps, none of them compare to the sound of the vr and cl imho. there is just something very special about an all-tube power section that you just don't get with hybrids and ss. i slightly prefer the vr over the cl, but i would gladly buy a cl if i didn't already have this completely badass 69 svt.

however, in the end, none of it's nearly as important as what you bring to it. you can play the most beginner of equipment and sound fantastic if you play well. but i must admit having a fetish for the big tubers that makes me want to play nothing but them.

Groover · #3 08-05-2010, 06:56 AM

I've been wondering myself about this. I found some posts here on TB where there were mixed reviews. Most whom had used it said it sounds "really close" to an SVT, but then other issues as "noisy" and such put a damper on my exitement.

Yeah, $2,300 is way out there... explains why not many reviews out there

I love my SVT, but honestly... If I could get something close in sound in a smaller/lighter format with new features (DI, Tuner, Footswitch, etc) I'd be much happier with my rig.

I love the Ampeg sound, and the SVT8Pro appeals to me. The price doesn't and the very few reviews out there make me wonder as well.

tombowlus · #4 08-05-2010, 08:07 AM

I own an SVT-8Pro, as well as a '73 SVT, and to be honest the 8Pro doesn't really sound like an SVT to me. I do love it to death, and it's one of the most impressive heads I have played, but that's based upon its own merits and its own tone, and not based upon how well it can cop the tone of an SVT. In truth, the Micro-VR does a better job of copping the SVT tone (the 7Pro does a pretty good job of this, too), and when it comes to replicating the feel of an all-tube SVT... well you pretty much need an all-tube SVT for that, in my book.

But the 8Pro is on helluva head, and based upon some quick and dirty measurements on our AP system, it is fairly and accurately rated as far as output goes. It has a very clean, clear, and quick tone. You can dirty it up a bit, but it still doesn't sound like power tube saturation to my ears.

Groover · #5 08-05-2010, 08:22 AM

Nice summary. Thanks Tom.

As far as "grind" goes, would you say the 7 may be a closer bet to the SVT?

I did like my 6Pro and I like the tone of my 3Pro - not sure how the 8 stackes up to those two in tone...

tombowlus · #6 08-05-2010, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groover

Nice summary. Thanks Tom.

As far as "grind" goes, would you say the 7 may be a closer bet to the SVT?

I did like my 6Pro and I like the tone of my 3Pro - not sure how the 8 stackes up to those two in tone...

The 7Pro can probably get a little closer to the sound of an SVT that's purring along, but as far as capturing the sound of an SVT in the second or third set, after the tubes are warm, and you've turned it up a bit more than you should, I again have to take the stand that at least IME, it really takes an all-tube SVT to cop that tone/feel/vibe.

But considering the significant price difference, I think you should definitely check out the 7Pro before laying out coin for an 8Pro.

Edit: I have not really spent much time with a 6Pro or 3Pro, so I really cannot make any comparisons where they are involved.

Tom.

Groover · #7 08-05-2010, 09:05 AM

Ok, thanks again for the follow-up. In regards to the 3 and the 6... here is my in-a-nutshell review.

The 3 seems to have a more open-stage sound, and I can get it to grind a bit, but lacks the punch in the gut.

The 6 is able to give the sparkly clear sound that you'd maybe want if you're a slapper, gives you a punch in the gut and in the face at the same time, but I couldn't get that thing to grind; probably because it just had too much power and I could never push the amp without killing speakers, and the fact that doesn't do 2 ohms, kind of ruines it if you own own bunch of 4 ohm cabs

- also, for some reason I always thought the 6 was a little choked sounding (not as open as the 3).

Back to the thread (sorry for the slight hijack)... I want the 8 because of that tube emulation deal they show.

Also, I see mixed information on the ohms for the 8Pro... is it 2,4,8 or only 4,8?

The manual and Ampeg site show the later....

tombowlus · #8 08-05-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groover

Also, I see mixed information on the ohms for the 8Pro... is it 2,4,8 or only 4,8?

The manual and Ampeg site show the later....

I believe mine is 2-ohm stable. I'll have to check. It's a USA-made model, though, so this may have changed when production went overseas.

Groover · #9 08-06-2010, 07:24 AM

I'll probably call Ampeg at some point. Seems as if the 2/4/8 should be clear for everyone. I've seen listings for it at online resellers listing as 2/4/8, then some as 4/8 - one of the main reasons I'm considering that amp is because of the 2 ohm option.. so sort of important to me I guess

wetzelman1 · #10 08-06-2010, 09:09 AM

i know a guy touring on an 8pro right now. He plays a fretless in an experimental metal band. He loves it. My opinion of it is that it sounds like a warmer solid state, but definitely sounds SS and not like a tube amp. He however was not using the tube emulation circuit because he just received the amp before tour so he hadn't been able to really try it out.

Groover · #11 08-06-2010, 09:14 AM

Just called ampeg and they said that the amps will do 2/4/8 ohms as advertised. The manual doesn't mention the 8 ohms though.

Thought I'd pass that along.

And I had the above post wrong saying 4/8 ohms... should have been 2/4 ohms instead.

Jerrold Tiers · #12 08-08-2010, 04:49 PM

8 pro really is more for 2 and 4, which is how it is rated in the manual. It may "do" 8, but that is not a spec point.

Why would anyone have a 2500W amp, and then limit it by using only an 8 ohm speaker?

There are some technical issues that relate to using a switchmode power supply (SMPS), and varying the load on it from about 10W to 2500W.... That is 250:1 range, while most SMPS are limited to a 10:1 range........