Class D amps?

Coreythebassman · #1 02-01-2012, 08:05 PM

Hey, could someone give me a list or a few suggestions as to which class ds to check out? seen a few but really I really want to research and make an "educated" decision. Also, if you have a class D, lemme know how it sounds and what you use it for. Peace.

Coreythebassman · #2 02-01-2012, 08:20 PM

anyone?

seamonkey · #3 02-01-2012, 08:34 PM

The class of the amp doesn't matter.
What feature are you looking for?
A power amp? Lightweight?

bassfootballguy · #4 02-01-2012, 08:41 PM

I have played several and heard several. Like: GK Mb series (200, 500, 800); markbass LMII; ampeg pf500. Love: Aguilar TH500.
Play a few and see what you think.

wcriley · #5 02-01-2012, 08:41 PM

I have a Peavey IPR1600. It sounds like any other power amp I've ever owned. I use it mainly to power monitors.
Does that help you any?

Coreythebassman · #6 02-01-2012, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamonkey

The class of the amp doesn't matter.
What feature are you looking for?
A power amp? Lightweight?

class d amps are very light and relatively high wattage....so it does matter

BurningSkies · #7 02-01-2012, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassfootballguy

I have played several and heard several. Like: GK Mb series (200, 500, 800); markbass LMII; ampeg pf500. Love: Aguilar TH500.
Play a few and see what you think.

The Markbass LMII & LMIII are not class D amps, they're class A/B.

Which proves the point that you don't need class D for light, you need an amp with a Switch Mode Power Supply that's engineered to be small and light.

5port · #8 02-01-2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coreythebassman

Hey, could someone give me a list or a few suggestions as to which class ds to check out? seen a few but really I really want to research and make an "educated" decision. Also, if you have a class D, lemme know how it sounds and what you use it for. Peace.

Yup there is a difference...top of my head...

Where class a/b tends to run hotter as you drive it harder and louder, class D tends to run cooler at full output and might even run warm when sitting idling.

If you get a class D amp to clip it will cut-out instead of going into saturation. Most people never get to this point but it happens.

Class D could be more picky (shut-down) due to power line variations where class a/b might continue to run.

I have two

BX1500..large rooms, outdoor gigs. When I need to drive my 2X10 with one amp and the 1X15 with the other amp.

MB200...small clubs driving my 4 ohm 2X10. I also use it at the rehersal studio.

Coreythebassman · #9 02-01-2012, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

The Markbass LMII & LMIII are not class D amps, they're class A/B.

Which proves the point that you don't need class D for light, you need an amp with a Switch Mode Power Supply that's engineered to be small and light.

Oh wow, thanks for that. I thought that any amp with a switchable power supply was "class D" my mistake.

bassfootballguy · #10 02-01-2012, 09:10 PM

Hmmmmm. Learn something every day. Thanks BurningSkies!

BurningSkies · #11 02-01-2012, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5port

Yup there is a difference...top of my head...

Where class a/b tends to run hotter as you drive it harder and louder, class D tends to run cooler at full output and might even run warm when sitting idling.

If you get a class D amp to clip it will cut-out instead of going into saturation. Most people never get to this point but it happens.

Class D could be more picky (shut-down) due to power line variations where class a/b might continue to run.

I have two

BX1500..large rooms, outdoor gigs. When I need to drive my 2X10 with one amp and the 1X15 with the other amp.

MB200...small clubs driving my 4 ohm 2X10. I also use it at the rehersal studio.

Huh? Class D doesn't mean cut out at clip... Cutting out happens when the amp's safety shutdown kicks in where it's engineers has told it to... Usually when the impedance load is too low or the amp gets too hot.

Pilgrim · #12 02-01-2012, 09:52 PM

Just start checking Genz Benz and don't worry about the definitions. Fantastic amps, world class service, wonderful sound. That's all you need to know.

Coreythebassman · #13 02-01-2012, 09:57 PM

does the genz benz have a very clear sound? not a slapper at all and most reviews isee of them are slap reviews. Also, any recommendations on a cab combination for jazz/fusion?

dave_bass5 · #14 02-02-2012, 07:35 AM

Having owned a MB SA450 and LMII, and now using just a MB F1 i have heard little difference between the class A/ B and D heads, but its definitely there.
To my ears the F1 is a bit tighter in the low end, that makes it a bit clearer and quicker than the LMII that its based on. Some people say that class D isnt as warm sounding but in a band situation i doubt anyone would notice.
Im sure Ken Jung will be a long at some point but if not check out his Youtube video where he plays the F1 and LMII, and comments on the differences.

basscooker · #15 02-02-2012, 07:56 AM

i'd like to see some good sugg's too, for something in this category, but not specifically class d, just micro. my backup is a crate powerblock guitar amp. i need a backup BASS amp that fits the bill for simplicity and portability. my main is a GB 3.0, so i think i have a class d now, and i love it, i'd just like to maybe get a more powerful amp and use the 3.0 as a backup, that way i can use the crate as a, well, GUITAR amp.

cnltb · #16 02-02-2012, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamonkey

The class of the amp doesn't matter.
What feature are you looking for?
A power amp? Lightweight?

Would Coreythebassman have asked the question if it didn't matter to him?
Just wondering...

.

Everyone seems to be making them these days.

Glockenklang blue soul
Tecamp make a few
I think Hevos make a couple also
Epifani UL 501( That's D, no?)
GK make some
EA do also
and ampeg
Genz Benz too.
as well as aguilar...
Phil jones too, I think.
Markbass make them too.

and I am sure that I have left out some

.
My personal favorite is the Glockenklang followed by the epifani and I have high hopes for Hevos as well.
I have always liked Hevos but not had the oportunity to try their lighter amps.

cnltb · #17 02-02-2012, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coreythebassman

class d amps are very light and relatively high wattage....so it does matter

The Puma 350 by tecamp is light as well but not a D amp...unfortunatelly it is no longer being made...

agedhorse · #18 02-02-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5port

If you get a class D amp to clip it will cut-out instead of going into saturation. Most people never get to this point but it happens.

This is not at all accurate. In fact, it's completely false.

GrowlerBox · #19 02-02-2012, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave_bass5

Having owned a MB SA450 and LMII, and now using just a MB F1 i have heard little difference between the class A/ B and D heads, but its definitely there.
To my ears the F1 is a bit tighter in the low end, that makes it a bit clearer and quicker than the LMII that its based on. Some people say that class D isnt as warm sounding but in a band situation i doubt anyone would notice.
Im sure Ken Jung will be a long at some point but if not check out his Youtube video where he plays the F1 and LMII, and comments on the differences.

This difference is about the preamps, not the power sections.

dave_bass5 · #20 02-02-2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrowlerBox

This difference is about the preamps, not the power sections.

Can you elaborate on your reply please, im not sure I understand it.