Markbass TA503 vs. Little Mark III

AndyMania · #1 06-19-2011, 12:06 PM

I just received my TA 503 and decided to do a comparison test with my other LMIII. The verdict: I hear no difference whatsoever between the two. I am playing this through a Epifani UL 112 cabinet with my Victor Bailey Fender signature bass. I was disappointed since I thought the tube preamp of the TA 503 would really warm up the tones. Maybe I need a second 112.........

AndyMania · #2 06-19-2011, 06:56 PM

I asked some friends to listen as well and they couldnt hear the difference as well.

ac3320 · #3 07-13-2011, 07:36 AM

so really, no difference?

thumpbass1 · #4 07-13-2011, 07:46 AM

Usually it's the first impressions that count the most. If you don't really hear much difference between the two, you are being honest to yourself.

ac3320 · #5 07-13-2011, 08:03 AM

I have a LM and was considering the TA503 as an upgrade. Heard the latter's pre is just a tad more tubey.. But that's interesting that the OP heard no difference..

T. Alan Smith · #6 07-13-2011, 08:21 AM

Curious what voltage the tube is running at.

Sparky Mark · #7 07-13-2011, 04:33 PM

I'm surprised that you bought the 503 without doing an A/B with the LM3 first. Before buying my LM3 I spent a couple of hours comparing it to the LMTube, and whilst the mini tube had a very, very subtle effect IMO, I ended up prefering the LM3 for it's slightly clearer presentation. However like you, I would've thought that the 12AX7 would have more of an effect. I try other heads but keep coming back to the warm tones of the LM3.

JimmyM · #8 07-13-2011, 05:19 PM

I heard a dramatic difference in the LM Tube 800 with and without the tube. However, as always, YMMV, and really, in the long run, it doesn't matter.

Sparky Mark · #9 07-13-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I heard a dramatic difference in the LM Tube 800 with and without the tube. However, as always, YMMV, and really, in the long run, it doesn't matter.

I was only able to audition at music store volume so perhaps the diff would have been more pronounced louder. There was a difference, not better, just slightly different. Certainly not worth the extra £100 ($160) IMO.

JimmyM · #10 07-14-2011, 04:36 PM

There might have been more overdrive if it was louder.

But your post makes me think that I get why I hear a dramatic difference and others may not. I fear there are a group of bassists out there who associate tube sound ONLY with overdrive, and if it's not overdriving, it's not working in their eyes. I so don't get that. Even folks old enough to know better believe that, and it's just silly.

Craig_S · #11 07-14-2011, 04:54 PM

I guess I'd have to try the amp using something more than one 12" speaker. That's an awful lot of extra money spent ($550.00 difference @ GC's website) for no real benefit. I'm subscribing. Please post any new findings.

ac3320 · #12 07-14-2011, 09:45 PM

So just to be clear (not sure if the OP is still here), but you found the TA503 to sound exactly the same as the LMII (and I assume LMIII/maybe even LM Tube as well...at least in SS mode)?

Sparky Mark · #13 07-15-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

There might have been more overdrive if it was louder.

But your post makes me think that I get why I hear a dramatic difference and others may not. I fear there are a group of bassists out there who associate tube sound ONLY with overdrive, and if it's not overdriving, it's not working in their eyes. I so don't get that. Even folks old enough to know better believe that, and it's just silly.

No, it was nothing like that. I wasn't expecting or hoping to hear any overdrive. Even on my old Hartke 3500 there is a massive difference in the sound of the tube and ss pre amps even at low volume and the clean settings I use. I much prefer the tube pre on the 3500 and was expecting to hear a significant difference on the LMTube even at moderate volumes, but I couldn't. I've owned several all valve and hybrid amps thru my 35 years of playing and they've sounded as different from each other as do totally solid state amps from each other.