best modern tube amp.

Muziekschuur · #1 09-29-2011, 06:58 AM

We all know the legendary tubetones of yesteryear. And they work well. Even in today's music. But what are the new tube amps of today and tomorrow. And what defines them.

There was the Sadowsky tube amp. There is de Peavey VB3 with a switching powersupply making it light and powerfull at the same time. There is the Eden.

Ashdown now has about three tube amps. They all look nice and playable. There is the new Traynor 300 watt head. Bugera promised a 300 watt bass head. But forgot to make it... Now they will be out with INFINIUM. A technology wich should shut down a failing tube....

With the new high efficiency speakers we get between 3 to 6db more sound out of our tube heads. So Neodynium paired with a 100 watt tubehead should now shut up any guitardude...

All and all new exciting tube times.... What's your opinion...

kiffen · #2 09-29-2011, 07:06 AM

Can someone elaborate a bit on these newer developments with tube amps? Perhaps there would be a way to describe what amp builders are doing with some of the ideas that Muziekschuur mentioned--- but not in crazy tech terms?

JMac4strngr · #3 09-29-2011, 07:16 AM

(IMO) Every tube amp I play from here on out has to measure up to one amp tone wise, My vintage V4. I own an SVT classic that get's darned close, and within a gnats ass of getting that sound. A vintage SVT or a SVT-VR, would probably nail it and knock my socks off whilst doing so.
I have tried some of the "newer" tube heads (and there are some real nice ones out there), but some kinda fell a bit short on "delivering the goods" (IMO, as well). The main two that are on My to try list, are the Reeves 225 and 400. I am also holding My breath on the new Fender all tube offerings.

Son of Bovril · #4 09-29-2011, 07:33 AM

Yeah interested to see what these new Bassman all tube heads are gonna offer

BbbyBld · #5 09-29-2011, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Can someone elaborate a bit on these newer developments with tube amps?

I will for the amp I know about.

As mentioned, the VB-3 has a switching power supply. Besides saving weight, there are other advantages to using one in a tube amp, or any amp for that matter. The supply can regulate much faster and more accurately, which means faster transient attack and a more solid low end response. The supply can also be universal, which means you can plug the amp in anywhere in the world and it will just work.

Most tube amp fans want a nice, beefy output transformer. In my opinion, a toroidal OT is not the way to go because if you design it so that it has good fidelity, you haven't really bought anything. It will weigh as much or more than a standard OT, and will be considerably more expensive. A standard output transformer can become lighter without compromising fidelity if you use certain types of steel and wire, and you wind it a certain way. The VB-3 is also unique because of the OT construction.

JGR · #6 09-29-2011, 08:26 AM

A torroidal OT with the same or better fidelity will weigh less than standard iron. I don't like them because they don't saturate like standard iron, and I find the lower fidelity and rolloff of a regular tranny to sound better. Flatter isn't always better.

Son of Bovril · #7 09-29-2011, 09:01 AM

... what was that about rolling off of a tranny?

Mokebass · #8 09-29-2011, 09:31 AM

So are any of the new top shelf 300+ tube amps ok?

Mesa? Markbass? Eden? Peavey? maybe even Ibanez?

JMac4strngr · #9 09-29-2011, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mokebass

So are any of the new top shelf 300+ tube amps ok?

Mesa? Markbass? Eden? Peavey? maybe even Ibanez?

AFAIK: Only two of the ones You're mentioning, actually currently offer an "all tube" amp. The other's offerings are hybrid tube amps. If I wanted the tube'iest hybrid out, I'd take a look at....
1) Ampeg SVT 7 Pro, PF-350/500(not a hybrid, BTW)
2) Mesa Walkabout, or Carbine series
3) Genz Streamliner (which I haven't ever tried a Genz, just basing it on what I've heard round here.)

esa372 · #10 09-29-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMac4strngr

AFAIK: Only two of the ones You're mentioning, actually currently offer an "all tube" amp. The other's offerings are hybrid tube amps.

Eden makes an all tube head - the WTB300V.

I've never tried one, though...

Clammy · #11 09-29-2011, 09:53 AM

I just picked up a Marshall VBA 400, and that thing sounds like a freight train! I highly recommend adding it to anyone's "to try" list.

Cheers!

Sifl · #12 09-29-2011, 09:54 AM

I really really want to try a Traynor YBA-300. SO MANY TUBES.

Mr. Foxen · #13 09-29-2011, 10:04 AM

Tube amps are pretty traditionalist. Matamp is the king of modern traditional amps. I think it is pretty hard to modernise tube amps without missing most of the point. The Laney Nexus is one to look at, lots of features, including switches to turn off all the features.

alecduncan · #14 09-29-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMac4strngr

AFAIK: Only two of the ones You're mentioning, actually currently offer an "all tube" amp.

Mesa has the:

400+
Mesa Boogie Bass 400+ Amplifier

and the D180, and the original 400.

Peavey has the VB-2 and the VB-3.

Eden has the WTB300V, as already mentioned. I love that head, I wish I had the funds to buy one.

Markbass makes the Classic 300, which I personally hate, but it's still an all-tube option.

My vote for the best modern all-tube amp is probably going to be the Mesa 400+. Man, that baby is incredible. But, if I was allowed any one "modern" tube head I'd probably steal a WTB300V, just fits my tone better.

jumbodbassman · #15 09-29-2011, 10:16 AM

+1 on the mesa

tombowlus · #16 09-29-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mokebass

So are any of the new top shelf 300+ tube amps ok?

Mesa? Markbass? Eden? Peavey? maybe even Ibanez?

Ampeg still makes great tube heads, and you have Peavey and Traynor both making good stuff, as well. The Reeves C225 and C400 are just amazing, and I would imagine that the Hiwatt heads are also good. Markbass makes the Classic 300, which is a fairly modern take on the tube head, as well.

tombowlus · #17 09-29-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sifl

I really really want to try a Traynor YBA-300. SO MANY TUBES.

I should have one of those delivered to my door tomorrow (for review in BGM).

NoNoise · #18 09-29-2011, 10:26 AM

I think the Genz-Benz Streamliner is about as "modern" as you can get for a tube amp since it wouldn't have existed before now due to it's digital aspects and small size.

alecduncan · #19 09-29-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I should have one of those delivered to my door tomorrow (for review in BGM).

Can't wait! I am flirting with the idea of going tube and want to look into a Traynor YBA-200/300.

JimmyM · #20 09-29-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoNoise

I think the Genz-Benz Streamliner is about as "modern" as you can get for a tube amp since it wouldn't have existed before now due to it's digital aspects and small size.

Genz Benz makes a fine amp, but it's a hybrid, not a tube amp.

Anyway, I judge all others by the Ampeg line of tube amps, especially the B-15. I think the amps they make today are every bit as good as the old stuff.