Traynor YBA300 - Should I upgrade from YBA200?

[Muckaluck]

Big dilemma for me here,

I bought a used Traynor YBA200 from long and mcquade about 3 weeks ago. I think the sound is fantastic and I'm happy with the amp. Long and Mcquade will be getting the YBA300s in around mid March. I spoke with a rep there and he said if I brought my YBA200 in in the next week, I could trade the entire value that I bought it at against a new YBA300.

Here are my potential pros and cons of trading up to the YBA300,

Pros:
- 100 more tube watts
- A more simple control design without the unnecessary scoop and resonance controls
- Tube lockout system and a sense of greater security at gigs
- Brand new amp (as compared to the used YBA200 I bought that has definitely seen some hard lovin)
- 2 year unlimited warranty from Traynor
- Unique tube design with the El34s as opposed to the YBA200s KT88s
- No fan in the YBA300 which could make it quieter for recording
- The YBA200 needs to be biased by a tech (mine has the fixed bias upgrade) and the YBA300 does not.

Cons:
- Shelling out more money for an amp that might not have that different of a tone
- Getting into an amp that has no track record. People are saying the YBA300 looks good on paper but can't quite tell if that will translate to real life greatness.

So there you have it. One heavy pro of the YBA300 is the increased reliability and that leaves me leaning toward going ahead with this trade.

Tell me what you think, is my logic sound? Am I missing something?

[mikeddd]

The YBA200 is very nice, but IMO the YBA300 is a much nicer amp. The fact that the store is willing to give you the purchase price for your 200 as credit toward the 300 would seal the deal for me. I've looked at the 300 as a nice alternative to a SVT-CL but can't really justify the price or the need. I already have way more equipment than talent.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Muckaluck

Big dilemma for me here,

I bought a used Traynor YBA200 from long and mcquade about 3 weeks ago. I think the sound is fantastic and I'm happy with the amp. Long and Mcquade will be getting the YBA300s in around mid March. I spoke with a rep there and he said if I brought my YBA200 in in the next week, I could trade the entire value that I bought it at against a new YBA300.

Here are my potential pros and cons of trading up to the YBA300,

Pros:
- 100 more tube watts
- A more simple control design without the unnecessary scoop and resonance controls
- Tube lockout system and a sense of greater security at gigs
- Brand new amp (as compared to the used YBA200 I bought that has definitely seen some hard lovin)
- 2 year unlimited warranty from Traynor
- Unique tube design with the El34s as opposed to the YBA200s KT88s
- No fan in the YBA300 which could make it quieter for recording
- The YBA200 needs to be biased by a tech (mine has the fixed bias upgrade) and the YBA300 does not.

Cons:
- Shelling out more money for an amp that might not have that different of a tone
- Getting into an amp that has no track record. People are saying the YBA300 looks good on paper but can't quite tell if that will translate to real life greatness.

So there you have it. One heavy pro of the YBA300 is the increased reliability and that leaves me leaning toward going ahead with this trade.

Tell me what you think, is my logic sound? Am I missing something?

i think that if you are happy with the sound and performance you might consider the option of a second yba 200.....a tad more dough,but the upside is that you get the same tone,more flexibility,a back up amp,and .......

[BROKEN OHMS]

Do it. I loved the sound my 200 and used it for a few years. I sold it and bought a Fender 300 Pro mainly to have more headroom. You'll never regret those extra 100 watts.

[Muckaluck]

Originally Posted by mikeddd

The YBA200 is very nice, but IMO the YBA300 is a much nicer amp. The fact that the store is willing to give you the purchase price for your 200 as credit toward the 300 would seal the deal for me. I've looked at the 300 as a nice alternative to a SVT-CL but can't really justify the price or the need. I already have way more equipment than talent.

Yes, it seems like Trayor really hit the mark on the YBA300. Could you say what makes it a much nicer amp in your opinion?

Originally Posted by BROKEN OHMS

Do it. I loved the sound my 200 and used it for a few years. I sold it and bought a Fender 300 Pro mainly to have more headroom. You'll never regret those extra 100 watts.

I agree with you. I've always believed that old saying: an eagle can fly low but a chicken can only fly so high. Not to equate the YBA200 with a chicken, it's more of a hawk, maybe even a falcon.

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

i think that if you are happy with the sound and performance you might consider the option of a second yba 200.....a tad more dough,but the upside is that you get the same tone,more flexibility,a back up amp,and .......

That would be really cool to have 2 amps stacked on top of each other! I will say I'd prefer just one amp in the stable.

Thanks for the input guys.

[Thornton Davis]

I don't see what your concerned about. You're dealing with L&M and you live just east of the Yorkville factory. The support that these two companies will provide to you with either amp is a no brainer.

I ordered a YBA300 and am not worried about it. That's because if I have any problems, I know they will make it right at their expense.

TD

[Muckaluck]

Originally Posted by Thornton Davis

I don't see what your concerned about. You're dealing with L&M and you live just east of the Yorkville factory. The support that these two companies will provide to you with either amp is a no brainer.

I ordered a YBA300 and am not worried about it. That's because if I have any problems, I know they will make it right at their expense.

TD

I agree with you that Traynor and Long and Mcquade are well equipped to support me if the amp goes. My concern is with the use that the YBA200 has seen. I don't know how much it has been abused and I worry about it conking out on a gig at some point.

[big evil robot]

I'd do it, the features and tonal control options on the YBA300 alone are incredibly attractive, the extra 100watts is just gravy.

[Thornton Davis]

Originally Posted by Muckaluck

My concern is with the use that the YBA200 has seen. I don't know how much it has been abused and I worry about it conking out on a gig at some point.

Well if it does, you don't have to go far to have it repaired. Remember, Yorkville have been designing and building tube bass amps for over 45 years. They know what they're doing, but sometimes a component like a tube or fuse can fail and you have to be prepared for that.

TD

[Muckaluck]

Originally Posted by Thornton Davis

Well if it does, you don't have to go far to have it repaired. Remember, Yorkville have been designing and building tube bass amps for over 45 years. They know what they're doing, but sometimes a component like a tube or fuse can fail and you have to be prepared for that.

TD

Yes, electronics can fail from time to time. I notice you said you have a YBA300 on order. What are your hopes for the amp?

[SactoBass]

Muck,

Your list of pros is quite a bit longer than your list of cons. And regarding the two cons you listed, I offer these comments:

More money? Yeah, but you would get the piece of mind of having a brand new amp under warranty.

No track record? Not with the 300 since it's a new product, but that company has a 45 year track record and they are still in business! That speaks volumes (to me anyway).

Given that they are willing to offer you what you paid for your 200, that tells me that this company is someone that I would want to do business with.

If it were me in your shoes, I would do the deal in a heartbeat.

That YBA300 looks saWEET!

(IMO of course).

[rodl2005]

YBA200 owner here & I love it. But with a deal like that- I'd be all over it.

[Muckaluck]

Wow, I didn't suspect that much support in going for the amp! I have 3 days left to return the YBA200. This is a tough decision!

[craig.p]

Ok, I'll volunteer for the position of contrarian on this one, LOL. The first thing I'd be asking myself is whether I'd want to sign up for the potential aggravation of TWELVE EL34s in the power section of any amp, no matter how good the sound. From a reliability standpoint, I'd much rather have to deal with only four KT88s. However, I freely admit that I don't know doodly about what's available out there in either flavor. Could be it's easier to find reliable EL34s than it is to find reliable KT88s. Or maybe it's the other way around. All I'm saying is that the 300 drags in a pretty high tube count through the door.

[craig.p]

Admittedly, not quite this bad, however:

[Muckaluck]

Originally Posted by craig.p

Ok, I'll volunteer for the position of contrarian on this one, LOL. The first thing I'd be asking myself is whether I'd want to sign up for the potential aggravation of TWELVE EL34s in the power section of any amp, no matter how good the sound. From a reliability standpoint, I'd much rather have to deal with only four KT88s. However, I freely admit that I don't know doodly about what's available out there in either flavor. Could be it's easier to find reliable EL34s than it is to find reliable KT88s. Or maybe it's the other way around. All I'm saying is that the 300 drags in a pretty high tube count through the door.

I think you have a good point, although as Chef pointed out in another post, dollar for dollar, buying 6 pairs of EL34s is around the same price (give or take $30) as 3 pairs of KT88s.

What's really cool about this amp is that if a pair of tube dies it just eliminates them from the circuit and uses the remaining 10. With 300 tube watts, I don't think one would notice the loss much on a gig and the replacement is $30-$50 depending on what brand is purchased.

At this point my credit card is screaming to be paid off, I'm getting married in the fall and I'm actually really happy with the YBA200. I figure that the YBA300 will still be around next year and I can always trade the YBA200 (at more of a loss of course) against the YBA300 if I try it out and absolutely love it. It's so hard to make the responsible decision but even though the YBA300 is probably the better amp, stuff is just fine with the YBA200.

I also treated myself to some NOS RCA 12AT7s and 12AU7s that I'll be installing this weekend. When Superman is out there and you get stuck with the Green Lantern it kinda bites. Nevertheless, it's still pretty great to have the Green Lantern.

[metalinthenight]

Originally Posted by mikeddd

The YBA200 is very nice, but IMO the YBA300 is a much nicer amp. The fact that the store is willing to give you the purchase price for your 200 as credit toward the 300 would seal the deal for me.

Big +1

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by Muckaluck

What's really cool about this amp is that if a pair of tube dies it just eliminates them from the circuit and uses the remaining 10.


Thus throwing out the matching of the output stage to the load. However it will get you through the rest of the night.


With 300 tube watts,


the amp will be precisely as loud as 300W from a SS amp.


At this point my credit card is screaming to be paid off, I'm getting married in the fall and I'm actually really happy with the YBA200.


Credit card debt is the most expensive way of handling money and it's not something you should be starting out a new phase of your life loaded down with. You will be amazed just how much money setting up that new life will need.


I figure that the YBA300 will still be around next year


Indeed it will!

Just my view on the situation.

[GaryLC]

Originally Posted by mikeddd

I already have way more equipment than talent.

I love that quote!!

[Muckaluck]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Just my view on the situation.

Ah yes Paul, you tend to take the often difficult role of the 'voice of reason' around here. This NAMM hysteria can be radically contagious. It should be called National Association of Madness Making...