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

#22
FingerDub said:
Does anyone one still prefer the tone or some other aspect of a class A/B amp over a class D head?
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Different amps sound different to me, whether class D, tube or whatever. I just use my ears and buy what sounds good to me.

Some of the class D stuff is getting ridiculous, it's cool that you can buy a 2 pound bass head but if you really don't like how they sound there's still plenty of amps in the 10-20 pound range to float your boat.
 
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#23
I sold off my old ab amp a while ago, I don't regret the decision, and I feel it was a stepping stone - getting a new amp at the time made me want to play it more. The previous amp I had was a great piece of gear though, and if I still had it I'd still play it. But hey, lugging thirty pounds a few hundred metres distance isn't too hard for me.
 
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#25
FingerDub said:
I just noticed that when I go to Sweetwater, the most expensive bass amps are still Class A/B and seem to be highly desired here on TB. High end tube amps followed by solid state amps such as an Aguilar DB751, GK 2001RB, Mesa Carbine, TC Blacksmith, SVT 3/4, GK Fusion etc. Only after those, do Class D heads come up.

Does anyone one still prefer the tone or some other aspect of a class A/B amp over a class D head?

Personally, I have 2 amps, one of each. A TC BH250 and a Hartke HA4000 which I recently bought to have a good solid amp at my rehearsal space and for gigs, which allows my TC to be a backup, which I needed. I'm questioning my purchase however. Not because of the tone or the amp it's self, which are both great, but why did I buy a heavier class A/B amp instead of a class D? I got the Hartke for reliability, tone and power, and it delivers in all 3 categories.

But, it is also hard for me to question class D tone, power or reliability. I guess it seems class D is now preferred, but if you still prefer Class A/B/ amps, why?
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I prefer the old tube and mosfet lead sleds. I did go the newfangled route when I started gigging again, grabbed a shuttle 6.2 class D head and new cabinet. It was nice, but didn't have a certain punch where I needed it to be. I sold all that and went back to basics - ampeg sealed cabs and a big heavy svt 6 pro. It does exactly what I expect it to when I turn the knobs, plenty of volume on tap...hi-fi clarity when I want it, old school midrange thump and sludge (in a good way) when I want that too.

I've tried other class D heads out and they're cool, but I haven't met one that resonates with the sound in my head yet. If I ever do, I'll probably buy it! That is, if I haven't gotten the balls to cash out for an all tube head by then.
 
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#27
Kind of a strange thread. The only way anyone can actually provide a data based response to the OP is to gig a sufficient number of the newer micros and a sufficient number of A/B amps to speak from experience.

Based on my limited experience, I am currently using a Berg B|Amp and several versions of the Demeter/Crest products. I always smile when someone provides a healthy SVT; but, I'm not going to schlepp one of those. I could readily gig an Acoustic 360 again; but don't have an adequate vehicle for it.

I was ok with my Class A/B stuff through the years; but, don't miss them now.
 
#30
I like Class A/B with guitar amps like the clone 5e3 and the Princeton Reverb. Mainly for the low watt overdrive tone. With bass amps I prefer the Class A clean and tight solid state tone. It may not be as efficient as the D. And it all depends on how the amp is manufactured. Some have a lot of noise, and some don't. Some have good clean headroom others don't.
 
#33
adam montminy said:
I don't see the paper you're talking about anywhere on the QSC site. Where did you find it?
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Because that "white paper" came out before QSC had a class D amp of their own (or more accurately as they introduced their first class D power amp). No need for having it available once they had a reliable (higher performance) competing product (such as the PLD series as well as their own integrated modules). I see that it's linked to the original PL380 data page.

[edit for accuracy)
 
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#34
Badwater said:
I like Class A/B with guitar amps like the clone 5e3 and the Princeton Reverb. Mainly for the low watt overdrive tone. With bass amps I prefer the Class A clean and tight solid state tone. It may not be as efficient as the D. And it all depends on how the amp is manufactured. Some have a lot of noise, and some don't. Some have good clean headroom others don't.
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C'mon, what class A amp are you using for bass???
 
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#39
Badwater said:
Check out the Warwick BC series amps. They are awesome clean transparent amps with a lot of headroom. Sure, they run full power all the time. But they're low watt low voltage amps.
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Where do you get that they are class a power amps???
 
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#40
agedhorse said:
Where do you get that they are class a power amps???
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Where do you get that it's not???

Read through the manual to find out.
Invalid Link Removed

Not convinced yet????? Watch the video.



If you still don't believe there are Class A, bass amps out there, there's nothing more I can show you. Just google for yourself.
 
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