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

#401
I've been looking at some of the class D action, Not sure if it is because a have musicians disease or that I really "need" a Class D Amp. The argument about the weight seems logical until you decide to haul you 6x10 along. The extra 20 lbs seems irrelevant! :) I'm playing out of a Mesa m-2000 and the tone is ridicules.Paired with the Mesa PH1000 and I'm solid for what ever I need. For outdoor gigs Ampeg pro-4 SVP1600 with a PR410HLF and PR115H with a few extra toys in rack, Not going to lie, that rack is a bitch to move but every time I think of parting it out, I plug it in and it puts a huge smile on my face as the surrounding car alarms go off :) I guess for now, picking up a Class D as a rig backup would just be prudent, thinking about mesa 800+ as I could loop back in my NightBass an continue on. I appreciate all the other contributors to this post on what class D's they like. I need to get somewhere that I could play with them all. Our GS is a little lame here.
 
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#402
Class AB isn’t necessarily heavy but most of the amps still using that technology like the Hartke LH1000 probably are. The early Markbass stuff was AB and that’s one reason I have kept my little 1x12 combo and extension cab but I really don’t hear a difference vs the new class D amps. I also keep it for the still unmatched size and weight vs performance. But I also love my Mesa D800+ with Berg HG310s.
 
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#404
Doner Designs said:
Class AB isn’t necessarily heavy but most of the amps still using that technology like the Hartke LH1000 probably are. The early Markbass stuff was AB and that’s one reason I have kept my little 1x12 combo and extension cab but I really don’t hear a difference vs the new class D amps. I also keep it for the still unmatched size and weight vs performance. But I also love my Mesa D800+ with Berg HG310s.
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Looking at the 800+. can you get the thick bottom that Mesa is know for? all the online demos seem sooo thin! I'm sure it is just what the online mp3/mpeg4 compress files sound like. I'd love to hear what your thoughts on producing a fat bottom.. My sound is tight and punchy (Flea with a little more bottom) Alt rock sound.
Thkx

ReVv
 
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#405
Revv said:
Looking at the 800+. can you get the thick bottom that Mesa is know for? all the online demos seem sooo thin! I'm sure it is just what the online mp3/mpeg4 compress files sound like. I'd love to hear what your thoughts on producing a fat bottom.. My sound is tight and punchy (Flea with a little more bottom) Alt rock sound.
Thkx

ReVv
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Absolutely. The voicing knob can get you there all by itself or you can dial it in with the extremely flexible EQ. Besides the four band with two parametric you also have the deep switch and the HPF to fine tune. Online demos are probably very limited.
 
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#408
Amazing. 21 pages from @eyeballkid and his personal opinion that he doesn't like the sound of all Class D amps, any brand, any model. That seems to be an opinion that only a rather limited number of TB members share.

Global statements of that type are things I simply don't trust. They are invariably proven wrong sooner or later.

It's nice that he can play what he likes and we can play what we like, and that both our bands and our audiences are happy with what they hear as a result.
 
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#409
Pilgrim said:
Amazing. 21 pages from @eyeballkid and his personal opinion that he doesn't like the sound of all Class D amps, any brand, any model. That seems to be an opinion that only a rather limited number of TB members share.

Global statements of that type are things I simply don't trust. They are invariably proven wrong sooner or later.

It's nice that he can play what he likes and we can play what we like, and that both our bands and our audiences are happy with what they hear as a result.
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A limited number of TB members, yes, but I know plenty of pro musicians and sound techs who share the opinion. Personally I don't think any are as good as a good tube amp. I'm just not as willing to schlep an SVT as I used to be when I was less close to 60...thankfully I can get away with much smaller tube amps than an SVT :D

And I also get those who prefer the sounds of lead sled SS over micro SS. But I also get those who prefer micro over lead sled. I do in some ways and not in others. At any rate, it's a big wide world out there, and if the player is happy with their gear, I'm happy for them.
 
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#410
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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TONE...class a/b or all tube for me. Class D amps lack good fundamental to my ears, not a fan of NEO speakers either.
 
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#414
Mainly two problems with this thread.

1) Cats post universal statements about classes of amps with extremely limited experience. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion; but, just because one tube amp sounds great does not mean all tube amps sound great. Equally, just because one Class D amp didn’t sound so great doesn’t mean all Class D amps are limp. Things are just a bit more complicated than that.

2) An ever increasing number of gigs feature no bass amp at all. Heavens! Arguing about different amplifier classes / types in this context seems somewhat like fleas arguing about which dog they prefer on the Titanic.

There are fantastic amps in all the classes. Each player simply needs to figure them out, and then sort out what makes the most sense for the gigs.

FWIW, I somewhat recently went backwards against the trend, reacquiring a Bergantino NV610T cabinet, even though I have absolutely no gigs available any more where I can use it. Kind of my middle finger response to the whole ampless trend, with which I am still learning / struggling.

God bless if you are still married to your SVT. They are marvelous amps. I keep looking at them; but, like the NV610T, I doubt one in my domain would ever leave the house. Similarly, my Class D Demeter rigs are getting few opportunities any more. Makes me a bit sad, truth be told.
 
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#415
freshbass said:
TONE...class a/b or all tube for me. Class D amps lack good fundamental to my ears, not a fan of NEO speakers either.
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As with all products, there are some truly great great D amps and Neo cabs. There are also some not-so-great, especially if your experience with them dates back a few years (like, ten or so). You might just like to try again, you might be surprised.
 
#416
I haven't tried any of the real high end Class D stuff, but stuff I could afford I found unsatisfying. I wouldn't turn down the chance to try Milkman, Verellen, or Hillbish's Class D stuff, but I don't like the clean/modern thing generally.
 
#417
marqueemoon said:
I haven't tried any of the real high end Class D stuff, but stuff I could afford I found unsatisfying. I wouldn't turn down the chance to try Milkman, Verellen, or Hillbish's Class D stuff, but I don't like the clean/modern thing generally.
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Well ok, but what do you use now that you like? Quite a lot of the new stuff is designed to sound old, if that's your thing. Mesa for one, has some very nice stuff out right now.
 
#418
I don't have a particular preference but I use Hybrid and class a/b myself when I use an amp at all.

I don't dislike class D but if they are micro amps there's only so much you can fit in a small package so it's down to features that you need vs. size.

For me the GK1001RB is more clean power than I'll ever need and boy have I had this thing up loud. I did own a TC Electronics RH450 but I found it lacked focus in the low end and sparkle in the high end. The guy I sold it to loved it so it's highly debatable if it's better/worse than an a/b amp, just a different flavour.

Mind you I've not owned any of the new class D amps and if I should come across one I like I might just be converted. I know that our PA is class D and it sounds great, now maybe I'll tax one of the speakers for bass use...
 
#419
bucephylus said:
Mainly two problems with this thread.

1) Cats post universal statements about classes of amps with extremely limited experience. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion; but, just because one tube amp sounds great does not mean all tube amps sound great. Equally, just because one Class D amp didn’t sound so great doesn’t mean all Class D amps are limp. Things are just a bit more complicated than that.
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An amp doesn't have to sound great to have tonal and feel characteristics exclusive to its topology. Nor does it have to sound bad to have them.

2) An ever increasing number of gigs feature no bass amp at all. Heavens! Arguing about different amplifier classes / types in this context seems somewhat like fleas arguing about which dog they prefer on the Titanic.
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I'm rarely in this context. I can count the ampless gigs I've done on one hand, maybe two if I think really hard about it. But when I am doing one, I bring a tube amp or my DI that sounds like a tube amp :D
 
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