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Bergantino B/Amp at NAMM
- Thread starter Munjibunga
- Start date
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,518
- 19,954
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
You get a really nice degree of control with the DSP on the B|Amp. The profiles are just a small part of the package. And that tuner seems to track a low B better than anything else I have tried. Lots to love about the B|Amp!
I don' know how to ask this.
I am a huge fan of Jim's cabs. I currently have a HS410 and a CN212. I've owned the NV412, AE 410 and some 112s.
With all due respect, isn't the B Amp kind of expensive for Class D amp? Especially compared against very good amps like the Subway D800 that costs half the price? Obviously the extra cost is in the DSP based preamp. Is it really that much better?
I am a huge fan of Jim's cabs. I currently have a HS410 and a CN212. I've owned the NV412, AE 410 and some 112s.
With all due respect, isn't the B Amp kind of expensive for Class D amp? Especially compared against very good amps like the Subway D800 that costs half the price? Obviously the extra cost is in the DSP based preamp. Is it really that much better?
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,518
- 19,954
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
The D-800 is a great amp, and I was thrilled to see the very reasonable price tag. The Peavey MiniMega is also super impressive, and under $600. The new Genzler Magellan is also going to come in at less than the B|Amp, and the GK MB800 and TecAmp Puma 900 are also viable and less than the B|Amp. As you can see, there are a lot of really great options, and many of them cost less than the B|Amp. All of the heads I have mentioned perform very well with Bergantino cabs. They are in the "different flavors of good" category. Each of them have their own strengths and unique characteristics, and the B|Amp does, as well. It is the most neutral and smooth sounding of all of these, it is as full-sounding as any of them (and more full than most), it is as clear-sounding as any of them, and it slams as hard as any of them. On top of this, it offers amazing control over EQ and high-pass filtering, and it has a super accurate tuner (best I have found for a low B).
Is it worth the price? This is a question seemingly with no end, and it can be applied across the spectrum of bass gear (and pretty much anything else we purchase). IME/IMHO, I believe that it is, and I do think that it offers some unique and superior performance characteristics and features. But to be honest, those other heads I mentioned are also really nice in their own way, and I could see a lot of players being quite happy with one of those options (or lots of other heads).
I am looking for an amp that has the punch of my Mesa M9 Carbine, the fullness of a Prodigy 4:88 and the light weight of a Subway D 800. I love my Mesas. The problem I have with all of them is they put their own tone color on the over all sound.
Do I want my Dingwall to sound exactly as Sheldon intended directly out of the jack, Heck no! I am not a "pure" tone guy. I know, I seem to be contradicting myself. I'm not though. I want my bass to sound exactly a certain way regardless of the venue. I achieve that with a Darkglass B7k, an Empress ParaEq and an MXR Compressor.
I look to the B Amp to create a blank canvas that will make my CN-212 or HS-410 sound just like the audience is hearing FoH. The soundman and the B-AMP get my outputs from my B7k. If I compensate for an amp's color, it changes the tone of my FoH signal.
Is that purity worth an extra 700 bucks, I have to decide.
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this is exactly how it was described initially to me before it came out......after owning one since it's release - i would have to fully concur with this statement.
When comparing the th500 with the B Amp into a cn212 recently, I was really struck by how responsive, and dimensional it was vs the th500. The th500 is a great amp, and certainly has an awesome punchy, mix-busting tone. But, the Bamp was like opening another sonic world of definition, and smooth clarity. Its as if one can hear the fretboard itself- quite lively IMO. Now, how would this amp perform on a more "old school" type cab- can't be certain (there are profiles for the nv610, of course). That said, I get the impression it has enough features to deliver with almost any cab. Through the cn212, I barely had the master up, and it had plenty of steam left in the engine. Is it the right amp for every player? Can't say for sure....Though, I would highly welcome trying one out if have the chance.
The B/Amp kicks all kinds of a%#! I don't have one yet but a friend of mine does and I've been able to hear it live as well as spend about 4+ hours at my house playing it thru a bunch of HD's. It's easily one of the most impressive amps I've ever played thru.
For me there was no contest between the B/Amp and the D800 (which I briefly owned and adamantly wasn't my thing). There's just so much more going on with the DSP and it totally takes advantage of everything the Berg cabinets can do. I felt like the Berg just let my bass come thru albeit with some improvements and the eq is super flexable. Normally I would say loud, full or articulate; pick two, but honestly the B/Amp is the first amp that does can do all three.
I posted a bit more over on the Bergantino Club thread-
Club Bergantino part 5
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If you look at cheaper amps then it is more expensive. If you look at more expensive amps, like the DNA1350, then it's cheaper.
You have to define what it is you're after, and what these amps deliver. The price only limits what you can afford. It doesn't determine which or what is actually better. You decide that.
I don't care about price. I care about value. I can afford a Bergantino B-Amp. I can afford a Mesa Strategy. Price is not the point. When dealing with the law of diminishing returns, for each dollar you spend above $699, how much better does the amp perform.
I look to my TB peers to separate hype from good advice. I immediately dismiss folks that post exaggerated statements that Amp "A" sounds like "explitive" compared to Amp "B". Good manufactures to not sell "explitive".
What I am getting so far though, is the B-Amp is indeed a step up than the $700 to $800 tier of other class D's. How big of step I'll have to determine on my own. If it isn't much, you'll see it in the classifieds right quick
.As I've learned over the years is, where the resale value in the classifieds settles at after it's no longer the flavor-of-the-month, is the true value of piece of equipment. Jim's speakers have really held their value. Let's see if his amps do as well.
Value/price??? Seems like something that could incite fiery off topic commentary.
The B Amp, however, because of its flexibility and options over its competitors, relates more closely to my needs and wants, with the possibility of further downloadable enhancements, therefore I have placed an order for one.
I eagerly await the future to determine that reality.
The B Amp, however, because of its flexibility and options over its competitors, relates more closely to my needs and wants, with the possibility of further downloadable enhancements, therefore I have placed an order for one.
I eagerly await the future to determine that reality.
Update...
Jim looked at my B|Amp and said it's working as design, so I'm returning it to the dealer, due to excessive hiss for my needs. I use amps primarily at church and home, and need/desire an extremely quiet noise floor...
What amps are you using with quieter noise floor ?
When I posted this, I only had the Warwick LWA1000 and Crown XLS2502. With the Crown amp, I usually use my Jule Monique tube pre (and occasionally use a Warwick Hellborg pre)... Still have them...but, now have added a Glockenklang Blue Rock. All three amps are extremely quiet (virtually hiss-free) even at playing levels...
I still believe that MY B|Amp was an anomaly, regarding excessive hiss. I just didn't want to waste Jim's (or the dealers) time/expense on getting a replacement shipped...even though Jim certainly offered.
If I ever see one at a store, I'll definitely check it out for comparison purposes! If it's quieter than the one I had, I'll definitely re-buy one, as I felt the performance features on the B|Amp were incredible...
I agree with usta's post up above. However, this amp does appear to be the class act in the new gen micros.
So much perception of value depends on how the amp needs to be used and what the gig requires. My main gig has gone to IEM' on stage, and I'm hardly using an amp now. Kind of miss it.
The one thing I haven't read about the B|Amp performance is what it does with a 2 ohm load. For example, if you hook it up to 2 HD212's does it really do the big amp thing, or does it run but not pump so much? I had to replace my NV610 with 2 AE212's for big amp gigs some time back due to space limitations in our AZ houses. So, I am always wondering about the 2x4 ohm performance.
So much perception of value depends on how the amp needs to be used and what the gig requires. My main gig has gone to IEM' on stage, and I'm hardly using an amp now. Kind of miss it.
The one thing I haven't read about the B|Amp performance is what it does with a 2 ohm load. For example, if you hook it up to 2 HD212's does it really do the big amp thing, or does it run but not pump so much? I had to replace my NV610 with 2 AE212's for big amp gigs some time back due to space limitations in our AZ houses. So, I am always wondering about the 2x4 ohm performance.
Bergantino B|Amp - Bass Gear Magazine Best of Show
oooo. he should have peeled the protective film off the LCD
I'm really starting to want one, though...
I'm really starting to want one, though...
I spent yesterday at NAMM and heard three amps that impressed me (as much as you can hear anything at NAMM). One was the B/Amp. The other two were the Trickfish and the Genzler. Of course, you can't get a good sense of anything at NAMM and there is no way to experience the subtleties of an amp but those three are the ones I would look at if searching for an amp today
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,518
- 19,954
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
pablomigraine
Commercial User
