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Double Bass AI Clarus SL returns

#22
Mark Gollihur said:
They showed up this morning. Still have 2 SL and 4 SL-R in stock, more on their way in the next 7-10 days.
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+1 When I saw this amp at ISB I was very impressed by it's form/factor. It's got as many features as you could possibly stuff into that small a box. I've always suspected that Acoustic Image has a secret workshop of magical nomes that shrink all components to make them fit. :wideyed:

Ric
 
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#23
These amps look fantastic, and I love the pricepoint and weight. With the two different input impedances I wouldn't have to run an external pre amp for the upright. I Wish there was separate EQ's for each input, though. I'm almost guaranteed to have different EQ settings for each bass when doubling. I know that the current edition, non-SL Clarus has separate EQ's, but that comes at a ~$300 boost in retail price ($950 v. $650 as per the Gollihur site) over the SL-R. I may be missing something, but $300 extra for another 4 bands of EQ seems excessive. May have to consider running an external pre-amp or EQ pedal on the upright anyway.
 
#24
Pat C. said:
These amps look fantastic, and I love the pricepoint and weight. With the two different input impedances I wouldn't have to run an external pre amp for the upright. I Wish there was separate EQ's for each input, though. I'm almost guaranteed to have different EQ settings for each bass when doubling. I know that the current edition, non-SL Clarus has separate EQ's, but that comes at a ~$300 boost in retail price ($950 v. $650 as per the Gollihur site) over the SL-R. I may be missing something, but $300 extra for another 4 bands of EQ seems excessive. May have to consider running an external pre-amp or EQ pedal on the upright anyway.
Click to expand...

The SL models are 1-channel amps. The two inputs are for two different impedance levels, not for doubling. Kind of like electric bass amps with a "active" and "passive" input.

The regular Clarus is a true two channel head. It also has a few other options not on the SL, mostly stuff like output options, that sort of thing.
 
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#25
Mark Gollihur said:
The SL models are 1-channel amps. The two inputs are for two different impedance levels, not for doubling. Kind of like electric bass amps with a "active" and "passive" input.

The regular Clarus is a true two channel head. It also has a few other options not on the SL, mostly stuff like output options, that sort of thing.
Click to expand...
Well, that makes a bit more sense. I guess I'm kind of dope for missing that. I got excited when I saw something about "Flex pre-amp technology", saw two inputs and two level controls on the SL-R (one of which I now see is a level control for the effects) and immediately assumed two channel without reading through all the copy.

I still would be interested in a two channel version of the SL, particularly since I don't need XLR inputs and the additional output capabilities of the Clarus. And the choice of input impedences on the SL's is nice because the lack of a 10Mohm 1/4" input on the Clarus means I would still have to run an external buffer pre-amp. Maybe there will be a future update to the Clarus to address the impedence issue.
 
#26
Pat C. said:
Well, that makes a bit more sense. I guess I'm kind of dope for missing that. I got excited when I saw something about "Flex pre-amp technology", saw two inputs and two level controls on the SL-R (one of which I now see is a level control for the effects) and immediately assumed two channel without reading through all the copy.

I still would be interested in a two channel version of the SL, particularly since I don't need XLR inputs and the additional output capabilities of the Clarus. And the choice of input impedences on the SL's is nice because the lack of a 10Mohm 1/4" input on the Clarus means I would still have to run an external buffer pre-amp. Maybe there will be a future update to the Clarus to address the impedence issue.
Click to expand...

I don't think you'll see a two-channel SL; the miniaturization of the amp comes from not having to provide the real estate necessary for the second channel's circuitry. Like the Contra combo, the Clarus SL is the "most basic" version of the AI experience to get it into a more "entry level" price point (entry level being a relative term, of course -- we are talking about boutique-grade gear, here.)

I've always found that the 1 meg ohm input impedance is just fine for most upright pickups; doesn't mean that 5 or 10 isn't better, in some cases... ;-)
 
#27
Usually it is no problem to change the resistor for the input impedance if the factory delivers the amp with 1 MegOhms, since the following amplifier needs a FET input stage for that and generally works with even higher impedances.

I think have read there on Talkbass that Rick modified his amps on request for a higher input impedance. At least worth to ask for ...
 
#28
Mark Gollihur said:
The SL models are 1-channel amps. The two inputs are for two different impedance levels, not for doubling. Kind of like electric bass amps with a "active" and "passive" input.
Click to expand...
The gears have been turning the last couple of days (always a dangerous thing) and I wanted to re-visit this. Any thoughts being to use both inputs with an A/B switch to facilitate doubling? So...

EB > A input of A/B box > A output of A/B box to 1Mohm input of SL
DB > B input of A/B box > B output of A/B box to 10Mohm input of SL

Obviously, both inputs could never be used at the same time. In fact, I'd probably get an A/B box custom wired so that both outputs could not be selected at once. Thoughts?
 
#29
I'd ask Rick at AI. In the other amps, the separate (XLR and 1/4") inputs are separately buffered, so they could be used at the same time. These might similarly be so; meaning you could just turn the volumes down on the e-bass (and maybe use a mute pedal for the upright?) if that were the case, rather than a complicated AA/BB box.
 
#30
Pat C. said:
The gears have been turning the last couple of days (always a dangerous thing) and I wanted to re-visit this. Any thoughts being to use both inputs with an A/B switch to facilitate doubling? So...

EB > A input of A/B box > A output of A/B box to 1Mohm input of SL
DB > B input of A/B box > B output of A/B box to 10Mohm input of SL

Obviously, both inputs could never be used at the same time. In fact, I'd probably get an A/B box custom wired so that both outputs could not be selected at once. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Or you could throw one of the Headway units in front of the SL.
 
#36
I'm "all in" on a Clarus SL, completely happy with it after several weeks.

The new EQ is more flexible than previous Clarus/Focus generations. Plenty of power, small size, and the legendary AI support.

I sold my SIII Focus 2R (my "big amp"), SIII Clarus ("backup" to the "big amp"), and an EA Micro300 ("carry-in amp", and "backup to the backup"), so now it's "one amp to rule them all."
 
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#37
mikeGJ said:
I'm "all in" on a Clarus SL, completely happy with it after several weeks.

The new EQ is more flexible than previous Clarus/Focus generations. Plenty of power, small size, and the legendary AI support.

I sold my SIII Focus 2R (my "big amp"), SIII Clarus ("backup" to the "big amp"), and an EA Micro300 ("carry-in amp", and "backup to the backup"), so now it's "one amp to rule them all."
Click to expand...

Do you only play upright bass, or do you also use the SL for electric bass too?
 

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