Ampeg micro VR heads with two cabinets still sound bad?

JimmyM would know.

 

I've had the Micro VR with the two 2x10 cabs for well over a year and it's been flawless.

 

Mine fixed itself over a few months time. Don't know why, but I imagine the speakers just needed to loosen up a bit.

Still, I'd probably go for the PF350 instead...it's the same price, never had a problem with two 210av's even before they broke in, the extra wattage never hurts, and though the Micro VR has that coolness factor, the PF350 ain't bad looking

 

I've only had the Micro VR head and cabinets for about a week but I haven't experienced any buzzing yet

 

With the two SVT210AV cabs, I would go for the PF350 over the Micro VR because:
- it's as cheap as or cheaper;
- it's lighter
- it has more power;
- with low volume bedroom practice, there's no fannoise.
On the other hand, the Micro VR looks better IMO.
That's my bit.

 

I found the Micro VR head would clip way too easily when run a 4 ohms. It would also get hot and the fan would run at full raging speed eve with the amp just idling. I think it's a great sounding head but woefully underpowered compared to most ultra light heads on the market.

 

Yep. The PF350's feet won't fit in the 210av's footcups, but they do fit around them:

 

No issue with my cabs at all. No buzzing ever.

 

Can't imagine any head (well maybe there's a few) sounding bad though two of those cabs. As some others have suggested, the PF350 is also an option. IIRC, it's the same basic preamp but the added wattage will give you some extra headroom. IMO, the 350 sounds GREAT with two 210AVs.

 

I only have 1 cabinet and saving for another but to answer your question the issue was corrected largely due to members of this very forum loving my half stack and my fan is quiet as can be

 

Yeah, I think it should have been more like 300/350 watts, but with I think they feared clashing with the SVT line. That's not to say that anyone in the market for an actual SVT would get one INSTEAD, but as the JUNIOR SVT it had to be "less capable" on paper as well as reality - numbers mean a lot in getting things out the door of the showroom.
But if Ampeg is listening => There is a market for a 350-400 watt micro vr for people like me who don't want arena rock levels but want a bit more clean headroom in a more conventional/vintage-y look, rather than the PF which is super practical but frankly a little TOO practical cosmetically. Yeah I know looks don't mean anything - except that they do. If you disagree - what do you wear to gigs? Also I prefer MOSFETS to digital.

 

Hi, Jimmy.
This post/thread just reminded me of something - how does one get OTHER cabs (not 2 or 810) in the silver VR look nowadays? They used to be listed on the site separately, then they it was listed on the individual cabs as an option - now neither seems to be the case. Are they discontinued, special order or "secret menu"?

 

Agree, though I wished they would push it into 500w territory. I find Ampeg watts are a little lighter in volume than other makes, maybe due to voicing. And I like the sound of my MicroVR far more than any of the new Portaflexes. Jimmy says it's because you have to crank it and it gets that nice growl, but I dunno. I think there's more to it. Granted, I only played a PF-350 through the 210he, so maybe that one is more alike.

I will say that as is I've played lots of local gigs with the MicroVR. Sometimes even with one cab. Those 210AVs throw incredibly well.

 

Yeah - I thought I'd settled on the perfect fit for me (two B100rs) for small to medium gigs (and mic'ed/direct for larger) until I tried the VR - it sounds SO nice and is so small and light and looks COOL. With a couple of matching 115s it would give me something comparable (200 watts - 2 15s) in an even more portable package and I could even get the 210 or a 112 for really small gigs/practices for ultimate portability.
I'd say 350 is just about right as I think Jimmy is at least partly right about turning it up (mosfets are wonderful for this) and 500 watts just might be too much headroom to do that at any sane level.
NEXT suggestion - Switchable power - 100/350 for the same reason when you want less volume AND the bigger cabinets AND the grind.
I'd even be happy if they put it in a full size head (or even better like 3/4 size) as long as they didn't increase the weight of the innards - sort of take the place of the old solid state SVT heads but in a more "warm"/"grindy"/"ampeg-ish" form. As long as they stuck with the plywood for weight it would be the "best of both worlds" - Full stack lto look right on large cabs AND light and practical.
EDIT - even crazier (but all the more awesome for being crazy) the 3/4 head and a matching 8x8 for the ultimate mini - rather than micro - stack).

 

Dunno what yous guys are doing to these poor heads to constipate them so. Last summer I played mine into an 8x10 with plenty of volume to carry an outdoors 1000 cap venue where the PA was blowing folks 30 feet back and had it's subs cutting in and out (main reason I brought the big cab). I did have a bit on grit on it - but why would anyone want to buy an "SVT" for"clean" anyways? BTW the Micro-VR has been benched at 260w so is no slouch.

 

It's not "quiet" just a little more headroom would be nice for those of us attracted to it for it's size and weight and thus want to use it with cabs smaller than an 810.

 

Because its clean sound is way better than any other amp's clean sound. At least that's my opinion. It's richer, fuller, and packed with lots and lots of testicular fortitude.

 

Pretty sure that Ampeg will sell you AV grills that you can slap on your cabs. They said they were going to start doing it when the V4B came out.