markbass little mark tube 800

smokey713 · #1 03-23-2010, 03:53 PM

im in the market for a little mark 800 but was wondering, how do they compare to the other markbass heads ive been looking at such as the ta501 and f1 etc. what really took me to the 800 was the power and the versatility, how do the others stand up?

KJung · #2 03-23-2010, 04:00 PM

Lots of posts out there on this head and the comparisons, but might be hard to find. You might want to dig through the last couple Markbass Mega threads, and try a search.

Briefly, the F1/F500 (500 watt class D amps), the class A/B heads (LMIII, LMtube, SA450, etc.) and the 800 series heads (LMT800, LM800, SD800) all have their inherent tone, and they are all three different enought that most have a clear favorite 'class' of MB head.

One thing is for sure, the LMT800 is NOT a more powerful version of the LMTube... quite different sounding.... deeper down low, less punchy in the low mids, MUCH more present in the upper mids.

smokey713 · #3 03-23-2010, 04:13 PM

ok when you say LMTube are you referring to the one with the two channels and the mute switch on the master volume?

KJung · #4 03-23-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokey713

ok when you say LMTube are you referring to the one with the two channels and the mute switch on the master volume?

There are two relatively different amps that have the same exact features. The LMTube is the 'more fully featured' LMIII, and has the same class A/B amp as the LMIII. The gain structure is a bit different, but they are basically the same amp.

The LMT800, on the other hand, is the more fully featured LM800... class D, 800 watt.

So, the LMT800 and LMTube look the same and sound different.

The LMIII and LM800 look the same and sound different.

smokey713 · #5 03-23-2010, 04:36 PM

ahh i see now, so the only thing the 800 has is the extra gain channel for upright basses and a little bit louder?

KJung · #6 03-23-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokey713

ahh i see now, so the only thing the 800 has is the extra gain channel for upright basses and a little bit louder?

Kinda... take a look at the product page of the Markbass website. It's very good, and you can click onto each of these four amps... LMtube, LMIII, LM800 and LMT800, and see the differences and read the descriptions.

Again, the LMTube and LMT800 look the same and have the exact same features.. one is 800 watt and one is 500 watts. However, the power amps not only have different power outputs, but are of a totally different design.. so they sound a bit different. And yes, they both have the gain control on the XLR combo jack, the mute switch, and the blendable tube pre.

The LMIII and LM800 also are identical in features, and don't have the 'extra stuff', and again differ not only in power, but power amp design.

seedokebass · #7 03-23-2010, 04:41 PM

KJung, have you compared the LMT800 to the SD800? I have the SD800 and really like it, but I've been curious about the newer models with bi-band limiters. The tube isn't much of a selling point for me, but if it sounds good...

smokey713 · #8 03-23-2010, 04:50 PM

ok thanks alot for all the inquiries guys its helped a lot

darkblack99 · #9 03-23-2010, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

Again, the LMTube and LMT800 look the same and have the exact same features.. one is 800 watt and one is 500 watts. However, the power amps not only have different power outputs, but are of a totally different design.. so they sound a bit different.

But the LMT800 goes to 11...

I kid, KJung - you've been a most informative resource on MB products within these environs, and thank you for it. I recently purchased an LMT800 and find it quite satisfactory for my needs.

smokey713 · #10 03-23-2010, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkblack99

But the LMT800 goes to 11...

I kid, KJung - you've been a most informative resource on MB products within these environs, and thank you for it. I recently purchased an LMT800 and find it quite satisfactory for my needs.

haha his knowledge of markbass is strong lol.

Andy V. · #11 03-24-2010, 10:51 AM

After reading KJung's posts I went to the store and tested the LMT800 and LMT side by side and went home with the LMT.

Both are very good amps, but the LMT oozes more mojo to my ears.

smokey713 · #12 03-24-2010, 01:30 PM

yea, im gunna wait a little while longer and see if i can find an lmt 800 and if i cant find one ima just go with the lm800

kph24 · #13 07-16-2010, 02:44 AM

For anyone who has the LMT 800 or recently purchased it, have you installed a second speakon connector? I recently just purchased a Markbass NY 151 to go with my NY 604. I would like to use 2 speakons but as the head sits I can use only one, but it has an empty speakon slot covered up. Anyone info on this would be much appreciated.

Thanks

KJung · #14 07-16-2010, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kph24

For anyone who has the LMT 800 or recently purchased it, have you installed a second speakon connector? I recently just purchased a Markbass NY 151 to go with my NY 604. I would like to use 2 speakons but as the head sits I can use only one, but it has an empty speakon slot covered up. Anyone info on this would be much appreciated.

Thanks

No need to do that. Just daisy chain one cab to the other (assuming they have dual speakons). This is literally identical to running two cables out of the amp.

Bassflute · #15 07-16-2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokey713

im in the market for a little mark 800 but was wondering, how do they compare to the other markbass heads ive been looking at such as the ta501 and f1 etc. what really took me to the 800 was the power and the versatility, how do the others stand up?

and several have the original LM, and one the LMII. I personally like the Tube 800 the best of all of them...lots of power, great voicing, powerful tone circuits, still small and light. And it's less 'yellow/orange'...I'd be curious how tube swaps are in this thing. Great amp, though, you should go for it.

Cheers,
Cameron

KJung · #16 07-16-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassflute

and several have the original LM, and one the LMII. I personally like the Tube 800 the best of all of them...lots of power, great voicing, powerful tone circuits, still small and light. And it's less 'yellow/orange'...I'd be curious how tube swaps are in this thing. Great amp, though, you should go for it.

Cheers,
Cameron

Hey Cameron,

The tubes used in the LMTube, from what I understand, are small (not the standard 12ax7) and I believe they are actually hardwired in (non swappable). I believe that's one of the reasons many of us hear little difference between the tube and SS mode of these particulate amps, other than the dual tube/solid state pre's volume summing when each pre is set at 50%.

Sounds nice though, and the extra features of the LMTube are probably worth it for some.

JimmyM · #17 07-16-2010, 11:42 AM

i'll tell you, i so don't get that you guys can't hear a difference with the tube in the lmt 800. maybe they tweaked the design to make the tube more active since when you guys played it, but they've got one up at my local gc, and it makes a huge positive difference to my ears. not enough for it to make me like that amp

but definitely noticeable.

G RICH 5 · #18 07-16-2010, 11:45 AM

You have a PM

equal · #19 07-16-2010, 01:40 PM

Hardwired tube? What happens when the tube is burned out?

kph24 · #20 07-16-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

No need to do that. Just daisy chain one cab to the other (assuming they have dual speakons). This is literally identical to running two cables out of the amp.

I could be wrong, but if you do that doesn't that double the impedance make the amp not as loud?