After LMII? I find no replacement....

[silky smoove]

Reading the DIY/EE forums, there seems to be a clear preference for the Hypex and Pascal over most ICE Power modules. That is by the guys with the scopes, distortion analysers and dummy loads.
Many of them even listen to music!

While I absolutely love my B1K, I’ve also loved many ICE-based amps. I don’t put too much stock in the power section alone being a big factor, but rather the implementation of the preamp feeding it, the eay it’s cooled, etc. Still, that B1K is a wonderful amp

 

[Bonecat]

I faced the same quandary a few years ago. The answer was a Bergantino B/Amp. No regrets!

 

[SJan3]

What have you bought to replace the LMII with? I have one, will probably never sell it, but I need one more amp, preferrably with more power, and not too large. A 2 RU height is OK, 3 is not. The preamp in Markbass LM models is very good for my needs, and I need something similar. 4 band EQ, no baked in voicing, very clean, with extended lows etc.

Have tried Markbass Ninja, EBS Reidmar and Classic heads, Fender Rumble, TH500 and others. Many are not worth giving a test run, as the spec is clearly NOT what I want (MESA, Darkglass, Tech21 etc).

I am open to moderate size "lead sleds", like Hartke AH series or EBS HD360 (which has all the wrong EQ for me).

I own a Littlemark3 (class A/B circa 2009)
and agree that it's a special amp!
That said, I purchased a Genzler Magellan 350 as a backup and like it very much! I have not tried the 800 watt model but, from what I've read, it appears to have the same preamp plus a drive channel. It is worth a look and Jeff Genzler was very willing to discuss the product with me before I purchased it.

 

[AlexanderB]

While I absolutely love my B1K, I’ve also loved many ICE-based amps. I don’t put too much stock in the power section alone being a big factor, but rather the implementation of the preamp feeding it, the eay it’s cooled, etc. Still, that B1K is a wonderful amp

Ok, so I have heard a number of ICE powered amps, and liked exactly none of them, regardless eq and other settings. Being a pragmatic person, I will primarily look at other concepts.
And no, my LMII pre sounds exactly like the Ninja pre, but the power section does not at all.

Eich, Glockenklang are next to try. The Ninja is going back.
Eq points in the Magellan 800 will never work for me.

 

[SJan3]

Based on your LM2, If you can get either, I like the Trickfish Bullhead .5k and the Aguilar AG700. I love my Ag700 and it is simple to use. The Trickfish is equally great but a little more complicated of a setup.

I really wanted to love the new Mesa amps. They are great all around amps but I never could settle on a tone I loved when playing live.

Agree the AGUILAR AG700 will get you in the ballpark of the LM2.

 

[agedhorse]

Reading the DIY/EE forums, there seems to be a clear preference for the Hypex and Pascal over most ICE Power modules. That is by the guys with the scopes, distortion analysers and dummy loads.
Many of them even listen to music!

There isn't a clear preference for Hypex and Pascal among the EE's and bass players that I know, in fact it's quite the other way (we also have no shortage of scopes, distortion analyzers, dummy loads... or speakers, or music or listening skills either).

Just find something you like and play it. If you personally don't like ICEPower for some reason, buy something that doesn't use this part.

 

[vin*tone]

Tec Amp puma if you can find one or the Traynor sb500...both are fantastic and loud

Particularly the first generation. The Puma 2ru model 500 is lush. That said - your tastes are tuned to the LM2 so ... other amps are different. If you need more power then slave a second unit. They're not expensive to get used now.

 

[Monkey]

I have played through LMII and LMIII (older Italian AB model) amps for many years and love them. I bought a Ninja head and played a couple of gigs with it before COVID descended. I thought it sounded great and a lot like the LMII/LMIII. I really didn't notice a lot of difference, but only had a couple of opportunities to play at gig volume. Maybe my ears are not as sensitive...

 

[AlexanderB]

There isn't a clear preference for Hypex and Pascal among the EE's and bass players that I know, in fact it's quite the other way (we also have no shortage of scopes, distortion analyzers, dummy loads... or speakers, or music or listening skills either).

Just find something you like and play it. If you personally don't like ICEPower for some reason, buy something that doesn't use this part.

Why the platitude "just find something you like and play it"?
The whole discussion is here because I CANNOT find something that sounds like the LMII, or like my QSC amps. That is not just about preference, it is also a more objective part to it. I have heard Markbass' modules, and some ICE power ones. Pascal I have not heard.

 

[AlexanderB]

Particularly the first generation. The Puma 2ru model 500 is lush. That said - your tastes are tuned to the LM2 so ... other amps are different. If you need more power then slave a second unit. They're not expensive to get used now.

They are not easy to get here, as I mentioned. I have been looking for a year or so, in the Swedish market.
The Swedish Blocket.se is like Craigs list, and "everyone" uses it. Still, there is zero second hand Markbass amps. There will be (at most!) 5-10 SVTs in blocket, in a year, and there has not been a five string Jazz in weeks. Sweden is a small market for bass gear...
And like I said, I would prefer a new amp, and more powerful would be good.

 

[agedhorse]

Why the platitude "just find something you like and play it"?
The whole discussion is here because I CANNOT find something that sounds like the LMII, or like my QSC amps. That is not just about preference, it is also a more objective part to it. I have heard Markbass' modules, and some ICE power ones. Pascal I have not heard.

Yes, it’s a simple concept and has nothing to do with platitude. There are hundreds of different amps and cabinets on the market, you are saying you don’t like ANY of them? Seems you are in for quite a challenge then.

 

[AlexanderB]

Yes, it’s a simple concept and has nothing to do with platitude. There are hundreds of different amps and cabinets on the market, you are saying you don’t like ANY of them? Seems you are in for quite a challenge then.

Of course it just an empty phrase in this context, as I HAVE searched what is available within reason, now asking for more input! (And why cabinets? My Ampegs are not going anywhere.)
The wish list is fairly clear in the beginning of the thread. Similar size is good, no baked in tone (rules out a big number of amps), available new (drops even more), four band eq with similar eq points (more amps out) and available in Europe (some more gone).
Class of amp is not specified, and is not important, sound, power and size matters though. So what is similar to the LMII. Eich and Glockenklang are on the list.

 

[SJan3]

Agree the AGUILAR AG700 will get you in the ballpark of the LM2.

Here ya go:

 

[Zbysek]

When my LMIII (older class AB) dies, I'm gonna buy Quilter BB800 or BB802.

It is made by Pat Quilter (the "Q" from QSC). If you like your QSC power amp, you might give it a thought...

Quilter amps have specific EQ though...

 

[AlexanderB]

When my LMIII (older class AB) dies, I'm gonna buy Quilter BB800 or BB802.

It is made by Pat Quilter (the "Q" from QSC). If you like your QSC power amp, you might give it a thought...

Quilter amps have specific EQ though...

Thanks! As you say, the EQ makes it a no go...

 

[Brad Johnson]

Have you tried the LM800 ? I see they pop up in the Classifieds here often.

Sounded nothing like the LMII.

I had two LMII heads, first generation. Been using Quilter Bass Block 800s for four years now.

 

[AlexanderB]

Here ya go:

Adding this to the list. Will have to be sight unseen,
with return policy. Only ever seen the Tonehammer models in shops here.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Thanks! As you say, the EQ makes it a no go...

Have you tried it? It's deceptively easy to tweak.

 

[AlexanderB]

Have you tried it? It's deceptively easy to tweak.

No, I have specific need to boost/cut around 40Hz, to subtract low mids with the Gretch or Precision, and to add some high mids in general. I have tried a number of other amps with other EQ designs (ie Fender tobe stack or regular three band, fixed or sweepable), and it does not work. The only exception is my EBS 1V2, where the sweepable three band EQ will create the low mid dip by boosting low end and higher mid.

Quilter plus EQ pedal might work, but then it is more stuff and more tweaking, so not that convenient. It will also be expensive.
By the way, inserting a Rane 30 band EQ in the Ninja effect loop showed the Ninja shortcomings are not limited to EQ, but also to transients and distortion/modulation/artifacts from the power amp.

 

[Zbysek]

Thanks! As you say, the EQ makes it a no go...

It's yout choice...so I don't want to persuade you.

I just want to point out that BB802 has similar EQ points to that of LMII for low mids (300 v 360 Hz) and high mids (1000 v 800 Hz).

As regards EQ (center) points for lows and highs, I used to be picky too. Than I looked at frequency charts and realized that for lows and highs, the frequencies stated by manufacturers are only center points. The knobs usually affect broad range of frequencies. Since then, I don't pay much attention to stated frequencies for lows and highs.

Good luck!