Two Channel Amplifiers

Ric Vice · #1 06-21-2009, 10:13 AM

I thought I would start this up and if it goes nowhere then I'll delete it.

Most of us would probably like an amp that has two channels. That narrows the field of choices considerably. Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio, Epifani, Markbass and Walter Woods would be the main contenders. EA is certainly the most affordable with Markbass 601 coming in second and the Acoustic Image third. The Epifani has two distinct channels but cost more. The Walter Woods is out of a lot of players price range.

Why is it that GK has never seen fit to built a two channel MB amp?
Is it cost? Is it that Doublers are a very small niche market. Both?
Have I missed a serious contender. For price, at this point the EA Doubler and Micro are certainly affordable.

Ric

John Wentzien · #2 06-21-2009, 10:18 AM

TC Electronic RH450 .
You can have 3 different pre-sets that are foot-switchable.
I really like it!

Wilbyman · #3 06-21-2009, 10:25 AM

Markbass has just made some revisions to the MarkAcoustic head they were offering last year in their combos, and now it is offered as a separate head.

I have last year's version. It is a nice amp with some nice features. The top channel is actually low impedance (500k) and the bottom is high impedance (like 4meg or something), so one is nice for a piezo and the other has a bit more brightness for your slab (or a Realist if that is your thing). The features actually look quite like those on the Doubler. I think the low imped. channel has a friendlier sound for electric than the Acoustic Image preamp.

It doesn't have a ton of power but it there is plenty for a jazz hit on upright or electric.

They will also offer it in a doubling friendly 1x12 combo this year:

http://www.markbass.it/products.php?...cat=3&vedi=106

Mike Arnopol · #4 06-21-2009, 12:02 PM

EA's Doubler is awesome

Greg Clinkingbeard · #5 06-21-2009, 12:03 PM

That's the first I've seen of that MarkBass.
Price?

Ike Harris · #6 06-21-2009, 01:16 PM

Looks interesting. How does it compare with the Clarus? The combo is lighter than the M Line speaker alone, would be something to check into. Mike, how does the Doubler compare with the Clarus?

Mike Arnopol · #7 06-21-2009, 02:19 PM

I think the AI amps lack punch. I've heard them sound ok on DB, but too legato for electric. The Doubler sounds great on both.

swmmojo · #8 06-21-2009, 04:20 PM

I recently bought a Phil Jones Suitcase off Evilbay. It's two channels. It's supposed to be here this week and I can report back how well it works for DB and electric. I would love to hear what others think about the Suitcase. There's lots of info on the Briefcase on TB. Thanks.

Wilbyman · #9 06-22-2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

That's the first I've seen of that MarkBass.
Price?

The MarkAcoustic 1x10 w/tweeter version went for $999. I don't know if the 1x12 version will be any more, as it doesn't have a tweeter.

I can tell you that the 1x10 version is tough as nails and sounds excellent on both axes. I am a 1x12 guy so I am quite stoked on this revision.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #10 06-22-2009, 08:14 AM

This:
http://www.markbass.it/products.php?...cat=1&vedi=104

That's what I thought you had. Maybe it hasn't hit the states yet.
This looks promising.

MusicIsLove · #11 06-22-2009, 02:18 PM

i would say to go for a PJB suitcase with a 4b cab. that busts out 400 watts and has two channels. not to mention its actually made well

Jim Calhoun · #12 06-23-2009, 12:17 PM

When I bought my first WW in 1990, it was the only option I was aware of that had 2 separate independant channels. Plus it sounded great and only weighed 7 pounds. I'm still a WW user for both DB and slab, but I have to say that I'm thrilled that we now have OPTIONS. Lightweight, quality gear from EA, AI, Markbass, PJB and others is really a boon for bass players.

Looking forward to learning about other possibilities that might be out there.......

Jim

Ric Vice · #13 06-23-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbyman

The MarkAcoustic 1x10 w/tweeter version went for $999. I don't know if the 1x12 version will be any more, as it doesn't have a tweeter.

I can tell you that the 1x10 version is tough as nails and sounds excellent on both axes. I am a 1x12 guy so I am quite stoked on this revision.

Wilbyman,
I tried a Little Mark II and the only thing I wasn't fond of on DB was that VLE control. I don't see it on the Mark Acoustic. What's the VPF control do? Thanks

Ric

Wilbyman · #14 06-24-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric Vice

Wilbyman,
I tried a Little Mark II and the only thing I wasn't fond of on DB was that VLE control. I don't see it on the Mark Acoustic. What's the VPF control do? Thanks

Ric

Ric- The VLE is pretty much a passive tone control (as found of passive P and J slabs) and rolls off some high end. The VPF is more like the enhance knob on Eden and SWR amps...it takes out some mids and adds some brilliance. I don't really find either of them useful for my particular needs.

The nicest thing about the MarkAcoustic is the different impedences on the two pres (assuming this is carried over from the model I have)...as I said, there is quite a difference between the sound of the two channels, one really has a great lively slab sound (like the LMII) and the other is more AI like for your piezos (RSII in my case).

W

Ric Vice · #15 06-24-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbyman

Ric- The VLE is pretty much a passive tone control ..... I don't really find either of them useful for my particular needs.

Ditto for me. That SWR enhance control on the original Baby Blue 2x8 drove me nuts on the DB. I sold it and bought a Baby Blue 2X8 extension cab. It worked great with my WW amps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbyman

The nicest thing about the MarkAcoustic is the different impedences on the two pres (assuming this is carried over from the model I have)...as I said, there is quite a difference between the sound of the two channels, one really has a great lively slab sound (like the LMII) and the other is more AI like for your piezos (RSII in my case).

W

This I really like, an amplifier with two distinct channel pre amp equalizations. Great idea.

This baby is only rated at 250 watts @4 ohms. Is that enough for most of the gigs you play Wilbyman?

Ric

Wilbyman · #16 06-24-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric Vice

This I really like, an amplifier with two distinct channel pre amp equalizations. Great idea.

This baby is only rated at 250 watts @4 ohms. Is that enough for most of the gigs you play Wilbyman?

Ric

Ric- My volume needs are not great but they are probably about the same as most of us...an outside quartet thing at the most, never any PA involvement. The MarkAcoustic has plenty of juice for any upright hit I do and most of the electric gigs. I think it would top out with the electric when matched against a fusion type drummer but up until then, it does fine. It seems to have about as much power (maybe a bit more) than the original Clarus amps, which also topped out with the same drummer

Standalone · #17 06-25-2009, 05:51 PM

not quite an answer to the OP, but I've been doubling using my 800rb. Mid scoop in for electric and out for upright. It's a little bit of a hassle, having to hit an A/B footswitch and punch a button, but since I'm switching off instruments anyway, it doesn't impede the flow of the music any more than is already happening.

I played a flight case today, slab only. I had my DB in the store with me to keep it out of the sun, but was feeling too lazy to cary it though the maze of straps and teenybopper accessories to the bass section.

RShew · #18 06-27-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbyman

Ric- My volume needs are not great but they are probably about the same as most of us...an outside quartet thing at the most, never any PA involvement. The MarkAcoustic has plenty of juice for any upright hit I do and most of the electric gigs. I think it would top out with the electric when matched against a fusion type drummer but up until then, it does fine. It seems to have about as much power (maybe a bit more) than the original Clarus amps, which also topped out with the same drummer

Wilby...does the combo allow you to add an extension speaker? I am really interested in the Markacoustic 12 incher. I really liked my CMD 121p and regret selling it. Now I am looking to replace it but might replace with the acoustic version. Have you used both?

Wilbyman · #19 06-28-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RShew

Wilby...does the combo allow you to add an extension speaker? I am really interested in the Markacoustic 12 incher. I really liked my CMD 121p and regret selling it. Now I am looking to replace it but might replace with the acoustic version. Have you used both?

Yeah, it has the same output options (on the back of the amp) as the LMII...a 1/4 out and a speakon out.

I have used both. I really like the MarkAcoustic amp better than the LMII for upright...I never liked the LMII with my pickup (RSII or Underwood) due to the impedance and the MarkAcoustic front end works that out. Also, I didn't like the tweeter in the 121P, just a cheap LeSon...the tweeter in the 1x10 combo is a much nicer sounding compression type. The Acoustic 1x12 combo won't have a tweeter at all which suits me fine.

Honestly, between the three amps I have (my Focus/Schroeder setup, my GKMBS150 and my MarkAcoustic 1x10) I am pretty well set so I might not need to pick up the MarkAcoustic 1x12, but I think that 1x12 could replace all my other stuff.

RShew · #20 06-28-2009, 10:41 AM

Thanks. I wonder when it will come out. Do you ever use the mic input?