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Anyone still prefer Class A/B amps over Class D?

#362
Pilgrim said:
Using a 15" or a pair of them is usually a real good way to get a more traditional, "vintage" tone. You just have to be willing to lug them around.
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You can get lightweight 1x15s that weigh around 30lbs. It's what I have as it seemed to be the easiest way to get cone area and sensitivity in a fairly light package. It's seems a pretty response to me. A Marshall 2x10 I had an apparently long time ago sounded nice but more traditional. Well built. Heavy.
 
#364
Well, for what it's worth, although I don't have lots of experience. I have a (class A/B) Glockenklang Heart Rock which I love but it is heavy. I was delighted to hear about the Glock Steamhammer which is like 8 pounds or so and class D, ordered it and at first was amazed. But after long A/B comparison I realized that it has some digital/annoying quality in the sound. I know I am not biased because I REALLY wanted to like this amp, I don't want to lug 40lbs around. But it just felt like a downgrade. It has the much used ICE power amp that is supposed to be the best class D amp for bass so far. I've also heard the same digital aspect in other class D amps, like an Ampeg PF or even the Hevos clip above. My Heart Rock just sounds more natural and organic. I really want to like class D so I've got a Bergantino B|Amp on order, hoping that I just didn't like the particular amps. But I'm starting to fear that it's the power amp that doesn't do it for me. Mind you, I'm not talking about "slam", I felt that the Steamhammer had enough of that, even though the HR is supposed to be one of the great A/B amps as far as that goes. It also felt very quick and I liked that. It's just the sound that I found to be harsher. It wasn't very easy to spot but once I did I couldn't ignore it. And I'm really not "traditional" or anything, I've been a solid state fan in a world that worships tubes, I'm all for innovation, modern sound and clarity. I'm giving class D another shot with the Berg but if I find that harsh as well, it's back to the HR, or at least an A/B amp with more reasonable weight.
 
#365
Dragonlord said:
Well, for what it's worth, although I don't have lots of experience. I have a (class A/B) Glockenklang Heart Rock which I love but it is heavy. I was delighted to hear about the Glock Steamhammer which is like 8 pounds or so and class D, ordered it and at first was amazed. But after long A/B comparison I realized that it has some digital/annoying quality in the sound. I know I am not biased because I REALLY wanted to like this amp, I don't want to lug 40lbs around. But it just felt like a downgrade. It has the much used ICE power amp that is supposed to be the best class D amp for bass so far. I've also heard the same digital aspect in other class D amps, like an Ampeg PF or even the Hevos clip above. My Heart Rock just sounds more natural and organic. I really want to like class D so I've got a Bergantino B|Amp on order, hoping that I just didn't like the particular amps. But I'm starting to fear that it's the power amp that doesn't do it for me. Mind you, I'm not talking about "slam", I felt that the Steamhammer had enough of that, even though the HR is supposed to be one of the great A/B amps as far as that goes. It also felt very quick and I liked that. It's just the sound that I found to be harsher. It wasn't very easy to spot but once I did I couldn't ignore it. And I'm really not "traditional" or anything, I've been a solid state fan in a world that worships tubes, I'm all for innovation, modern sound and clarity. I'm giving class D another shot with the Berg but if I find that harsh as well, it's back to the HR, or at least an A/B amp with more reasonable weight.
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It would be interesting to hear how the Berg works out for you. I don't know who makes my class D power section. It's all on one board. I don't know if that means Carvin or if it could be a custom OEM. It will probably outlive me, so I hope it lasts quite a while!
 
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#366
my Markbass SA450 class AB Fantastic

LMII class AB good workhorse

Mesa D-800 class D Slams and always sounds fantastic

Genzler Magellan class D just use power amp kicks butt

But my heavy led sled poweramps have that something extra that makes my knees go weak
in both ways though

Yorkville AP1200 class H Slams and wins for sound.......but too heavy for me to carry

Old SWR stereo 800 like the Yorkville....killer big and phat
 
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#368
You know what's funny I recently played a gig where there was a band on before us and the guy had an Aguilar tone Hammer 500 and an Aguilar SL 112 and the tone was great in the mix, but what really struck me was that he threw the head in his gig bag and picked up the cab like it was a small briefcase and walked away casually and I thought, man that must be nice!
 
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#372
Dragonlord said:
Well, for what it's worth, although I don't have lots of experience. I have a (class A/B) Glockenklang Heart Rock which I love but it is heavy....
I'm giving class D another shot with the Berg but if I find that harsh as well, it's back to the HR, or at least an A/B amp with more reasonable weight.
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If the B|Amp doesn't do it for you, you might try the Glockenklang Bass Art Classic. It is a great head, with audiophile quality and lot's of bass features. I think the weight is 39lbs, or so. Not really light, but not an SVT either...
 
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#373
jsbarber said:
If the B|Amp doesn't do it for you, you might try the Glockenklang Bass Art Classic. It is a great head, with audiophile quality and lot's of bass features. I think the weight is 39lbs, or so. Not really light, but not an SVT either...
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Yeah, the BAC should be awesome, but then again it's just 2 lbs lighter (less heavy?) than my Heart Rock (38 vs 40), and has about half the watts... I love my HR's headroom (and tone), it was actually the end of amp GAS for me, until the years passed and now I'd really like something lighter... I'm very curious about the B|Amp. But if it still feels like a downgrade from the HR, I'll just shut up and deal with the 40lbs, as you said it's not an SVT after all!
 
#378
Dragonlord said:
Yeah, the BAC should be awesome, but then again it's just 2 lbs lighter (less heavy?) than my Heart Rock (38 vs 40), and has about half the watts...
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Half the watts can be compensated for with a 3db increase in cabinet sensitivity. (Two 8 ohm Doubles instead of one 4 ohm would get you there, or a pair of BAC cabs. Although, admittedly, this means hauling more gear and more $/Euro.) If you haven't auditioned the BAC I would encourage you to try one, if you have the opportunity. It may not work for you, but with a great cabinet it is a work of art. You'll enjoy the experience whether you buy it or not.
 
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#379
jsbarber said:
Half the watts can be compensated for with a 3db increase in cabinet sensitivity. (Two 8 ohm Doubles instead of one 4 ohm would get you there, or a pair of BAC cabs. Although, admittedly, this means hauling more gear and more $/Euro.) If you haven't auditioned the BAC I would encourage you to try one, if you have the opportunity. It may not work for you, but with a great cabinet it is a work of art. You'll enjoy the experience whether you buy it or not.
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I really admire Glockenklang's work and I'm only familiar with their "lower end" Bassware line so I'm sure there's even more magic in their Art line, but what I'm struggling to achieve at the moment is a tone that is more or less as satisfying as my HR with half the weight, not something even better at the same weight... And I definitely don't want more cabs, I'm trying to downsize there as well :)
Anyway, I don't have a way of trying it out (except for buying one), and I think it's probably for the best, as I REALLY don't need GAS for a 38lbs, 2000 euro head :D
 
#380
The two solutions that come to mind are the B|Amp, which you've already discussed, and some confuguration of the Jule Monique with a lightweight power amp, or even an IP series Bergantino powered cab. The other thing that comes to mind is the Sadowsky SA200 tube head that went out of production for many years but can now be had through Thomann. Again, not lighter in weight than your HR but a very highly respected amplifier. Any of the above would be great, but you already like your HR...
 
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