baby Ampegs! Micro CL vs Micro VR

[Papazita]

Hi all.
I'm starting to look at the Ampeg Micro stacks as an all purpose home/everyday/recording amp, to replace my 20ish year old dying SWR workingman's combo. Who has experience with both, which do you prefer and why? I only have the cheaper CL stack located in person near me, so I can't compare them before I buy.

I do like that the CL stack is nearly half the price of the VR.
The power ratings aren't too far off with the included cabs, 100w/8ohm on the CL and 150w/8ohm on the VR. That won't make much of a difference just playing at home. I do like that the VR has the second speaker output to take it to 200w/4ohms; a little bump in power & flexibility if I ever need it.
I like the XLR DI out on the VR; the CL only uses a 1/4".
Preamp gain and master volume on the VR vs a single master volume on the CL.

Are these physical differences worth doubling the price in your opinions? How do they compare tonally? How do the cabs compare?

 

[sloppy_phil]

Hi all.
I'm starting to look at the Ampeg Micro stacks as an all purpose home/everyday/recording amp, to replace my 20ish year old dying SWR workingman's combo. Who has experience with both, which do you prefer and why? I only have the cheaper CL stack located in person near me, so I can't compare them before I buy.

I do like that the CL stack is nearly half the price of the VR.
The power ratings aren't too far off with the included cabs, 100w/8ohm on the CL and 150w/8ohm on the VR. That won't make much of a difference just playing at home. I do like that the VR has the second speaker output to take it to 200w/4ohms; a little bump in power & flexibility if I ever need it.
I like the XLR DI out on the VR; the CL only uses a 1/4".
Preamp gain and master volume on the VR vs a single master volume on the CL.

Are these physical differences worth doubling the price in your opinions? How do they compare tonally? How do the cabs compare?

Tonally they are birds of a feather. Not much in it, for me personally. The VR probably edges it slightly on tone, power, and *most* importantly of all, looks.

That said, I wouldn't recommend using the onboard DI as a recording option. The sound is horrid. As in, pretty much unusable. I heard it in more than one VR, so it was seemingly their choice of DI unit, not my specific amp. Have not owned one for several years now, so perhaps the issue has been fixed, but I can't say. I wouldn't hesitate to put a mic on the amp and just record it that way, to be fair, but the DI in that VR is garbage. No experience with the CL's unit, so cannot say if it's the same.

I think, for what you are planning on using it for, the CL is what I'd opt for. Will be great for home/practice playing, and would sound good enough with a mic on it for recording. Hard to beat at half the cost of the VR!

 

[iammr2]

Might want to do some TB "searchin' & readin'" There's a few threads on this subject. Fan noise will also be an issue with the VR.

 

[lokikallas]

I ended up getting a pf350 to go with a pair of 210av cabs. Perfect combo IMO.

 

[JimmyM]

I ended up getting a pf350 to go with a pair of 210av cabs. Perfect combo IMO.

I have both the PF350 and Micro VR, and I agree with you...I use the PF350 more on gigs because it's smaller and more wattage. That said, the Micro VR's a cool amp, too and has it in the looks dept, although the PF heads are some of the snazziest micro heads out there.

Give a choice between the Micro VR stack and the Micro CL stack, though, the clear winner is the Micro VR stack. IMHO, close in spirit but not in performance. As it should be, since it costs twice as much for a Micro VR stack.

 

[68Tele-Bass]

Ampeg Rocket Bass. RB-112.

(mic drop…)

Hi all.
I'm starting to look at the Ampeg Micro stacks as an all purpose home/everyday/recording amp, to replace my 20ish year old dying SWR workingman's combo. Who has experience with both, which do you prefer and why? I only have the cheaper CL stack located in person near me, so I can't compare them before I buy.

I do like that the CL stack is nearly half the price of the VR.
The power ratings aren't too far off with the included cabs, 100w/8ohm on the CL and 150w/8ohm on the VR. That won't make much of a difference just playing at home. I do like that the VR has the second speaker output to take it to 200w/4ohms; a little bump in power & flexibility if I ever need it.
I like the XLR DI out on the VR; the CL only uses a 1/4".
Preamp gain and master volume on the VR vs a single master volume on the CL.

Are these physical differences worth doubling the price in your opinions? How do they compare tonally? How do the cabs compare?

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I ended up getting a pf350 to go with a pair of 210av cabs. Perfect combo IMO.

I have the PF350 with a pair of PF112 cabs, still thinking about a Micro-VR head for appearance though...

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hi all.
I'm starting to look at the Ampeg Micro stacks as an all purpose home/everyday/recording amp, to replace my 20ish year old dying SWR workingman's combo. Who has experience with both, which do you prefer and why? I only have the cheaper CL stack located in person near me, so I can't compare them before I buy.

I do like that the CL stack is nearly half the price of the VR.
The power ratings aren't too far off with the included cabs, 100w/8ohm on the CL and 150w/8ohm on the VR. That won't make much of a difference just playing at home. I do like that the VR has the second speaker output to take it to 200w/4ohms; a little bump in power & flexibility if I ever need it.
I like the XLR DI out on the VR; the CL only uses a 1/4".
Preamp gain and master volume on the VR vs a single master volume on the CL.

Are these physical differences worth doubling the price in your opinions? How do they compare tonally? How do the cabs compare?

Yes. Yes they are.

The VR is able to do anything you want it to. The CL is a practice combo with no DI, and no way to extend to another cabinet. Unless, you got yourself two 16ohm cabinets.


The VR sounds almost exactly like a VR. Just a little staler.

Never played the CL, but I imagine it sounds almost exactly like a CL, but staler. Because the other one sounds just like what it's supposed to be.

 

[Gustopher]

Ampeg Rocket Bass. RB-112.

(mic drop…)

Came here to say the exact same thing!

 

[dalkowski]

Just a l'il something to stir the pot:

 

[G On Bass]

I've been super happy with my MicroVR/2x210AV set up. Gigging, rehearsing, whatever. It does it all. FWIW, I DI out of an SCR-DI off the board or a speaker level DI out the back. I'm not really qualified to judge what DI's sound good or bad, though I have not had any comments from FOH people when DI'ing out the back of the amp.

 

[InhumanResource]

Just something to stir the pot:View attachment 4473141

Pretty classic match up right there!

 

[SoulApprentice]

I had the Micro CL with its cab, moved to Micro VR with a 210 AV, and finally switched to PF350 keeping the 210 AV.
If you can live without a gain control, the CL is nice (yes, no DI but if you really need a DI you'd better buy a proper one anyway, like a Radial Pro); the cab, on the contrary, has really nothing to do with the 210 AV (both the speakers and the cab itself are very different). The VR looks gorgeous on top of a 210 AV, but the fan can be noisy (at least my one was) for home practice so I moved to the PF350, which is smaller, sturdier and more powerful should you decide to buy another 210 AV.

 

[basscooker]

Plenty of folks make due just fine with an Amp-plugs. Some are good with badly underperforming guitar combos. Some have seriously pricey boutique rigs. I've done some goofing and experiments with many assorted home rigs.

Go with your heart. Even more so if you already have gear that can cover you otherwise for outside the house. I have "toys" for playing only at home. I know there is no way they're good for anything besides noodling around at low volume. But I like the way they LOOK in the house.

My vote for CL if you just want a neat looking black box to plug into and make sound.

Rocket combo for an outlier not mentioned in the OP, but same brand.

VR if have other cabs but no other amp. As well, if you need something to get out of the house. PF-350 used in roughly same price range. Slightly higher tier amp too.

Or go nuts if it's just for the house... find some unicorn vintage or oddball setup that blends in with the room decor it will live in. The Excelsior guitar combos look really sexy, I think, and IIRC have a 15. Now, still have to be heads-up with low end and volume but at least you move some air before it farts. I have my Ampro only because it's cute and can kinda make itself feel unobtrusive with most decor.

 

[Mastermold]

I had the Micro CL for a while as a practice amp but got rid of it because you can’t make it sound clean, there’s always some overdrive to the tone and I found it frustrating.

 

[TNCreature]

I can't comment on the CL or the DI out (although I am now going to need to check that out before gigging).
I bought the VR for a smaller head with enough power to rehearse and play live. No fan noise issues for me. In fact it's pretty quiet.
I play mine through a GK 2x12 IV which is a 4ohm cab, so I get the full 200 watts.
The sound is a thing of beauty, and I have a light rig, powerful enough for a loud band and live gigs.
Not your situation, but my experience, and it's nice to have the at home or live option if you love the sound as much as I do.

 

[pbassnut]

Hi all.
I'm starting to look at the Ampeg Micro stacks as an all purpose home/everyday/recording amp, to replace my 20ish year old dying SWR workingman's combo. Who has experience with both, which do you prefer and why? I only have the cheaper CL stack located in person near me, so I can't compare them before I buy.

I do like that the CL stack is nearly half the price of the VR.
The power ratings aren't too far off with the included cabs, 100w/8ohm on the CL and 150w/8ohm on the VR. That won't make much of a difference just playing at home. I do like that the VR has the second speaker output to take it to 200w/4ohms; a little bump in power & flexibility if I ever need it.
I like the XLR DI out on the VR; the CL only uses a 1/4".
Preamp gain and master volume on the VR vs a single master volume on the CL.

Are these physical differences worth doubling the price in your opinions? How do they compare tonally? How do the cabs compare?

Get the Micro VR.

 

[Timmah]

I’ve had the Micro VR for about a decade now, and only played the CL once (as an astonishingly poor backline for a fairly large room).

Get the VR. Don’t think twice.

Both the CL and VR heads are fine, but the VR has the edge with 8/4ohm capability, fx loop, and a gain control. As someone mentioned earlier, the DI is a bit crap on the VR, but it’s better than no DI on the CL.

The cabinet is the real difference maker. I’ve found the SVT210AV to be a phenomenal recording cab, and a decent live rig for quieter bands. It’s warm, detailed in the mids, and brighter than you’d think up top, and there’s zero boom or mud down low, which makes it ideal for both quiet practice at home and for cutting through a mix without needing too much power or volume. Two of them makes for a nice little stack, plenty for pub gigs and small rooms.

The CL cab, on the other hand, is a total mess. I find that it’s a step down from my $100 Ampeg BA combo- muddy, saggy, ill-defined, and much quieter than the AV/VR. It’s no contest- get the Micro VR stack.

 

[cataract]

I’ve had the Micro VR for about a decade now, and only played the CL once (as an astonishingly poor backline for a fairly large room).

Get the VR. Don’t think twice.

Both the CL and VR heads are fine, but the VR has the edge with 8/4ohm capability, fx loop, and a gain control. As someone mentioned earlier, the DI is a bit crap on the VR, but it’s better than no DI on the CL.

The cabinet is the real difference maker. I’ve found the SVT210AV to be a phenomenal recording cab, and a decent live rig for quieter bands. It’s warm, detailed in the mids, and brighter than you’d think up top, and there’s zero boom or mud down low, which makes it ideal for both quiet practice at home and for cutting through a mix without needing too much power or volume. Two of them makes for a nice little stack, plenty for pub gigs and small rooms.

The CL cab, on the other hand, is a total mess. I find that it’s a step down from my $100 Ampeg BA combo- muddy, saggy, ill-defined, and much quieter than the AV/VR. It’s no contest- get the Micro VR stack.

Came here to say what you said— spot on assessment!

 

[2F/2F]

The VR is worth the price difference, IMO. The extra features do indeed make it a more versatile amp, and I think that it actually sounds better too (with each amp going through its factory matched cabs). I would gig with the VR, but probably only use the CL at home.

Plus it looks 100X better, and isn't even expensive anyhow.