Whats better by Eden? Tube or Solid?

[sorrowdemonica]

If any of you been following any of my previous post, I am sort of narrowing my search for a complete 2nd bass rig that is easily portable and I think I am going to stick with Eden for this 2nd one..

But I am unsure of what to get and was hoping someone out there has any experience or owned (or still own) these three Eden Amps..

1. WTB300V All Tube 320 Watt Amp (it's big but doable)
2. WT550 300 Watt Amp (very compact).
3. another suggestion?

I'll be running the amp at 8 Ohm through an Eden D210XST 8 Ohm 2x10 speaker cab.

I was looking to spend no more than 1200 on an amp, and need something that could fit in the floor space of my small car (needs to be narrow from back to front, unlike amps like an ampeg svt4pro).

So please help me decide.




***UPDATE***

Thanks to everyone for your replies. Just a few minutes ago I ended up completing my order with Online Music Retailer zZounds.com.

I'll soon be the owner of a new David Eden WT550!

I had a return to process with them for an Ampeg Micro VR head and 2x10 cab, so originally I was going to do an exchange with them for this Amp but I couldn't wait for my return to ship and them process the exchange and ship it to me (they are located in NJ and I am here in CA), so I opted to buy it now and just make my returns for refund. On top of this zZsounds.com actually priced matched an eBay listing of a WT550 for me (and gave me a $5 discount on top of that), so instead of paying the retail price of 899.99 for this amp, they charged me $735.00!

That's $165.00 off a brand new in the box David Eden Amp Made in The USA from a Large/Major Online Music Store! Then the fact that zZsounds doesn't ever charge Tax and always has free Shipping is awesome too.

***UPDATE***

[sorrowdemonica]

[DrZ]

I can only speak to the WT-550 & D210XST, i own and use both. I also use the WT-550 regularily with a D410XLT and previously with a D410XST....
There's plenty of power for any of these cabs. The 210 is nice and compact and the XST version delivers in a big way. While many prefer the XLT, I myself really like the XST!

The WT-550 is very versatile, smaller in size and relatively lighter weight for this type of amp.

The Parametric EQ and built in compressor work well. I run mine @ 8 ohms and unless you're playing in a loud rock band, 99% of the time the cooling fan never runs! - making it silent. Nice if you're playing in a quiet setting like church.

I'd recommend looking for a used WT-550A or B model (American Made) if you can find one, just my preference...

Hope this helps

[LiquidMidnight]

I have the E300T, which is the amp that preceded the WTB300V. There isn't much difference between the two. It's a great head, very warm and growly. Though it could be argued that it's not a "real" Eden, since it's made in an overseas factory that also makes Fame amps.

It's been years since I've touched one of Eden's hybrid heads, so it would be inaccurate for me to give a comparison. But the hyrbrids are great!

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by DrZ

I'd recommend looking for a used WT-550A or B model (American Made) if you can find one, just my preference...

+1, my preference too. A US-made Eden head is a wonderful thing, and they can be gotten at very fair prices used.

I haven't actually used the all-tube head, but I'm just sketched out by the fact that it's actually a "generic" Chinese-made amp with an Eden badge stuck on it. Maybe it's great, I don't know.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I have the Fame version of that Smarvo head, and the minor problems that are quite common with all Chinese mfg tube amps aside, a great head. Highly recommended.

Try to get it for a better price than the one You listed though, I've seen as low as ~$600.

Regards
Sam

[sorrowdemonica]

Originally Posted by LiquidMidnight

Though it could be argued that it's not a "real" Eden, since it's made in an overseas factory that also makes Fame amps.

Yeah I thought of that which is why I am leaning toward the U.S. Made David Eden gear more than the Chinese Eden (without David) gear. But I wanted to know if anyone here has tried it out and could justify the price tag and tell about the quality and dependability...

[sorrowdemonica]

***UPDATE***

Thanks to everyone for your replies. Just a few minutes ago I ended up completing my order with Online Music Retailer zZounds.com.

I'll soon be the owner of a new David Eden WT550!

I had a return to process with them for an Ampeg Micro VR head and 2x10 cab, so originally I was going to do an exchange with them for this Amp but I couldn't wait for my return to ship and them process the exchange and ship it to me (they are located in NJ and I am here in CA), so I opted to buy it now and just make my returns for refund. On top of this zZsounds.com actually priced matched the lowest priced eBay listing of a WT550 for me (and gave me a $5 discount on top of that), so instead of paying the retail price of 899.99 for this amp, they only charged me $735.00!

That's $165.00 off a brand new in the box David Eden Amp Made in The USA from a Large/Major Online Music Store! Then the fact that zZsounds doesn't ever charge Tax and always has free Shipping is awesome too.

***UPDATE***

[LiquidMidnight]

Sweet! I think you'll really enjoy your new amp.

[DrZ]

Congratulations on your new WT-550. You did very well on your purchase
I'm sure you're going to love it!

[NecroticImbecil]

Originally Posted by sorrowdemonica

All the red knobs in the pic are set where I had mine on my old Eden. After ages of tweaking, I decided I couldn't do any better than that. I liked having such a flexible EQ, but IMO sounding great "flat" is always a plus! Enjoy your amp.. Eden was my first real amp, I can't say that the amp I replaced it with sounded any better, just different.

[woody357]

Originally Posted by DrZ

I can only speak to the WT-550 & D210XST, i own and use both. I also use the WT-550 regularily with a D410XLT and previously with a D410XST....
There's plenty of power for any of these cabs. The 210 is nice and compact and the XST version delivers in a big way. While many prefer the XLT, I myself really like the XST!

The WT-550 is very versatile, smaller in size and relatively lighter weight for this type of amp.

The Parametric EQ and built in compressor work well. I run mine @ 8 ohms and unless you're playing in a loud rock band, 99% of the time the cooling fan never runs! - making it silent. Nice if you're playing in a quiet setting like church.

I'd recommend looking for a used WT-550A or B model (American Made) if you can find one, just my preference...

Hope this helps

How can you tell if it is a 550 A or B?

[sorrowdemonica]

Originally Posted by DrZ

I'd recommend looking for a used WT-550A or B model (American Made) if you can find one, just my preference...

Hope this helps

Oh yeah, only problem with the A and B Series is this:



You are forced to provide some sort of external cooling if your going to be gigging with it quite often as they are known to have overheating problems and/or fan failures... Especially if you use it within an enclosed space like a rack box...

Even though Eden is now owned by US Music.. the C series is still made to the same specifications as the B series at the same factory here in the USA with the only exception being upgraded cooling.

Even a quick glance on the Eden official forum is full of reports of peoples older model amps overheating, frying, and quitting... but yet there's a lack of complaints from those who bought their amps within the past 2 years.

[Col Pruse]

If you're only ever going to use the one cab, I would try and trade the 8 ohm for a 4 ohm.

[shastaband]

Eden amplifiers have been manufactured in China for the last couple of years. Only the "D" series speaker cabs are currently made in the US. Last production of WT550's in the US was in 2008, I believe. Lots of discussion about this on the Eden website. So unless your amp is older manufacture, it was NOT made in the US.

[sorrowdemonica]

Originally Posted by shastaband

Eden amplifiers have been manufactured in China for the last couple of years. Only the "D" series speaker cabs are currently made in the US. Last production of WT550's in the US was in 2008, I believe. Lots of discussion about this on the Eden website. So unless your amp is older manufacture, it was NOT made in the US.

yeah, you are right, my bad.. but yeah :| who knows, maybe i'll be so lucky and get some old back stock from prior to 2004 xD! lol! also with my order, Zzounds went out of stock with them according to the agent.

however as a benefit.. according to the members at the eden forum, the Chinese ones are better than the US made ones from the past couple years... i guess Eden made a bad batch of amps in the past couple years during their final year or two in the US.

I guess I'll find out later today when UPS delivers it today (currently "Out For Delivery").

[sorrowdemonica]

Originally Posted by Col Pruse

If you're only ever going to use the one cab, I would try and trade the 8 ohm for a 4 ohm.

yeah, unfortunately sam ash only had the 8 ohm versions for both of the 2x10s.. but it doesn't really matter to me really.. i mean if I wanted huge sound, i would just of bought a bigger amp to compensate for the cut in wattage. but I just need something that's portable and can get the job done but sound good.. but who knows, maybe someday I'll decide to upgrade my Eden rig and add on more cabinets. I was thinking of going back to Sam Ash every now and then (I actually went back yesterday) and keep an eye out for another price cut on that last cabinet in stock if it doesn't sell..

P.S. I don't like doing trades for used gear xD!

[JimmyM]

extra wattage makes such piddly gains compared to a second cab, and i have never understood anyone wanting to throttle a small cab like a 210 with a buttload of 4 ohm wattage. you'll never get anywhere close to full clean wattage of a wt550 into a 210 even at 8 ohms, let alone 4 ohms. you made the right decision getting an 8 ohm cab.

[thumpbass1]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

extra wattage makes such piddly gains compared to a second cab, and i have never understood anyone wanting to throttle a small cab like a 210 with a buttload of 4 ohm wattage. you'll never get anywhere close to full clean wattage of a wt550 into a 210 even at 8 ohms, let alone 4 ohms. you made the right decision getting an 8 ohm cab.

He's right folks!

[sorrowdemonica]

oh yes, looks like I scored a great deal from Zzounds! I got my WT550 amp today brand new in box, and it is a WT550 B! Just like with the retail sector, I guess this Eden amp has been sitting in Zzounds stock for quite some time?