I have a Berg AE212 with the neo speakers.
I am interested in the opinions of the community on what amps would be a good fit for this cab.
I'm not interested in Class D micro-heads.
Open discussion - any suggestions?
What's the deal with no class D micro's? Are you interested in a micro if it were at class AB? Or are you uninterested in a micro no matter the class? Have you had a bad experience with a micro before that is biasing your opinion on micro heads? The whole point of the NEO revolution (IMO) is to reduce weight of the "entire system/rig". It doesn't make sense (to me/IMO) to have a cab like an AE212 and use an amp that weighs just as much, or more than cab. Having a light weight speaker cab is a moot point if not coupled with a light weight amp (IMO). But hey....to each their own. Its your $$. If you can get over the whole micro thing, there are a few heads I would seriously consider,
Puma 500
Aguilar TH500 (TH350)
Markbass LMII (LMIII)
Markbass F1 (F500)
Genz Streamliner
Mesa Walkabout Scout (kinda micro, but not really)
If you want the ability to go vintage, to clean, to "tubey" sounding.....look at the Aguilar TH500 (Th350). FWIW, I have heard numerous people claim the new Aguilar TH amps to have the heft and sound of a class AB amp. If you want to add some tube dirt/grind emulation into your sound, this amp is worth a shot. I own one, I like it quite a bit. The drive knob is pretty intuitive. You can go from clean, to just a little dirt, to fully dirt with the twist of a knob. I have never owned the DB750 (DB751).....but owners of the TH amps say it gets pretty close to the DB750 sound. At 4lbs, the TH500 puts out an honest 500 watts. In a blind test, you would never be able to tell it was class D, or a micro amp for that matter. Some people have a tendency to listen with their eyes and not their ears. There are couple of good threads about this amp on TB right now. A search on TB will yield you some good reading.
If you want clean, fat, smooth, thick, and buttery.....look at the Puma 500 or LMII. I have owned both. Both are great amps. Again, tons of info on both amps here on TB. A search will point you in the right direction. There is quite a bit of info on the LMII (LMIII). Again....a blind test between these two micros and a "traditional" sized amp....you wouldn't be able to tell which amps were micros and which one's were not.
I have not owned or played the Markbass F1 (F500) or Genz Streamliner amps. From what I can gather, a good number or people report the GB SL to be very tube like. The Genz is kind of the micro alternative to the Mesa Walkabout and full valve amps. Reports claim the Genz can get very tube like. The F1/F500 is a more diverse, quicker, punchier LMII (LMIII). The F1(F500) will sound solid state all the way. If you want punchy, quick, clean, and deep....look here. Again, very popular micros. A lot has been said about these amps. Do a search.
If I hadn't bought my EBS T90 tube amp, the Mesa Walkabout would have been my next amp. It is relatively small.....but it weighs in at 13 pounds. Its kinda micro, but kinda not. Its prob the most tube like sounding SS amp out there. There is a dedicated thread on this amp, so a little research on this guy will help you out.
FWIW, I really don't see a reason NOT to go micro. If you are touring, need extra protection, massive volume, etc....I could understand getting a full sized amp and racking it. But for "local" gigs, rehearsals, small clubs, etc I cant think of a reason to haul around a "big" head. The question is, why would you not go micro.....espc given the fact you own a light weight cab.
