Tecamp Puma 500, Markbass F1/F500,TC RH 750, Carvin BX500

[JAS]

Tecamp Puma 500
Markbass F1/F500
TC RH 750
Carvin BX500

Im looking at these 4 bass amps to run through a single 4ohm 1X15 speaker cab. Id love to hear people's thoughts on any of these or if anyone has compared them. Using for both Upright and Electric.

The Carvin is the only one that can run at 2ohms (which is a nice plus) and is under $500. The Tecamp and the TC are both $999, and the MB goes for around $800.

[Jeff Scott]

Here is my choice:

http://www.aguilaramp.com/products_amplifiers_TH500.htm

[Laurent]

I tried all these amps (well RH 450; the 750 was not out at the time) and bought a Markbass F500. I have been thrilled with it since.

All are very good if not exceptional amps. It boils down to tone and to a lesser extent to function.

Here are in a few words what I remember of each ot them:

Puma 500: very fast and punchy, too much for me but what an impressive amp.
Markbass: good compromise between tone and punch. Detailed, warm without being syrupy.
TC 450: deep and growly, best tube emulation I have heard. A rock amp.
Carvin: clear detailed, kinda airy a little shy on bass but plenty of EQ to correct this.

[silky smoove]

Remember that new ICE Pumas sound quite a bit different than the older Powersoft Pumas. The older ones are more online with something like a Euphonic-Audio voicing (ie subterranean low end, stratospheric top end, and very even response in between without a drop of distortion). I love it in my pop band, but not so much in my rock band.