Best Class D Bass Amps???

[Jesuguru]

You can still find used Shuttle's in many flavors out there. They have speakon & pre/post DI that you mentioned. A used Shuttle and an MXR pre-amp is the combination that I'd recommend.

Appreciate that... I'm just wary of used Class D amps (or any amps/cabs). Arguably, it's harder to see what they've been put through than with used basses. Anyway, after hearing impressive demos and reviews, I'm leaning a bit closer to the Genzler 800, I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that it carries on the Shuttle's tonal tradition.

 

[Cuzzie]

Genzler is a great amp with great tone.

Theoretically the amps should not be punished too badly one would hope as if it is being pushed then it will back itself off as there is not enough heat sinking and releasing going, provided of course the fan etc is ok.

If a heat sink fails, then it can crap out, these could be a simple job, hopefully not a full circuit board.

If you bought second hand hopefully the person would be honest about any issues, but that is the same with anything you buy second hand.

Honestly though, Genzler was very high on my list, the drive is very organic and gives a good older school to be, but the clean is lovely too

 

[jayman121]

A Class D preamp?!?!? And this preamp puts out 1000 watts?!?!?

I saw these at NAMM. It is only a preamp. Wayne's cab(s) are powered. tried it with the powered 2x10 and it sounded pretty nice but the 2x10 weighs like 75 lbs and the rig goes for like $4600.00. Out of my pay grade for sure. The last 75lb 2x10 I owned was a Euphonic Audio VL210 about 20 years ago. that was a heavy 2x10. Also had an Eden 210XLT around 68 lbs. Can't carry them anymore. Now I carry a 2x12 at 44 lbs and a 900 watt head at 3 lbs and my back is a happy camper. LOL

 

[santacruzom]

Very useful thread here, thanks for starting it up. I'm currently going through the same decision process you went through. I just tried out a TC Electronic BH-550 but I'm not that fond of it and will be taking it back.

I sold an SVT a bit ago and it simply might have spoiled me. I'm just not sure I can like a non-tube amp enough anymore. But I definitely want to try the Mesa you picked up and see how I like it.

 

[Jesuguru]

I appreciated the thread too... took advice (thanks Cuzzie), weighed the options and recently ended up with the Genzler 800 - at 20% off for around $600, a steal in my book.
Tone for ages! I'm very happy. But it's only driving a GK CX210 at the moment, and it really needs a bigger (or 2nd) cab to open up. One (financial) step at a time.

 

[jazznut]

Hello All,

I am interested in getting a SIMPLY DESIGNED class D bass amp head, but am feeling a little overwhelmed. Class D seems to have been rapidly evolving in recent years and many of the "class D" threads on talkbass are 5+ years old. So, I would love opinions on the absolute best class D amps out there, as of late 2016.

Price doesn't really matter, I am looking for the best of the best. It has to have enough power to drive 8x10 cabs, and I want the design to be simple (i.e. the Orange Terror Bass, or the Quilter Bass Block). I am tired of super heavy, unreliable, rattling tube heads (just sold my last one, a Mesa 400+). And I have plenty of class A/B bass amps. I'm looking to step into the modern day, with a high end, lightweight class D amp. I want something that can do slap tones and modern sounds,...but would also like to be able to roll the treble back and get some nice, warm, vintage tones.

Thanks in advance for taking your personal time to help out your bass playing brethren.

I too am looking for a class d amp to replace my Hartke LH-500. I have tried an Agular Tonehammer 350 & Quilter Bass Block 800. Both are veiled in treble detail, with the Tonehammer extremely veiled. Neither can hold a candle to the Hartke in terms of openness & transparency & personality. If they are an example of what to expect in class D I will live with the extra size & weight, though sitting on top of a 2 × 12 MarkBass 122 Ninja Richard Bona Signature cab, the Hartke looks pretty awkward. (Maybe I should have gotten a wider 1 × 12 Bargantino cab).

Speaking of Bergantino, that & other upper crust class D's are too pricey, but maybe worth looking into.

 

[chris_b]

I too am looking for a class d amp to replace my Hartke LH-500. I have tried an Agular Tonehammer 350 & Quilter Bass Block 800. Both are veiled in treble detail, with the Tonehammer extremely veiled. Neither can hold a candle to the Hartke in terms of openness & transparency & personality. If they are an example of what to expect in class D I will live with the extra size & weight, though sitting on top of a 2 × 12 MarkBass 122 Ninja Richard Bona Signature cab, the Hartke looks pretty awkward. (Maybe I should have gotten a wider 1 × 12 Bargantino cab).

D class amps haven't got a "sound". Each designer will make his amp sound how he wants it to sound. As with all SS and tube amps you have to find the one that sounds good to you. I use a TH500 and think it's the perfect amp for me but I totally understand that it won't fit the bill for everyone. The new Aguilar AG700 looks good to me but the Genzler M800 and Mesa D800+ Is where I'd be looking first if I was looking for more top end.

 

[jazznut]

D class amps haven't got a "sound". Each designer will make his amp sound how he wants it to sound. As with all SS and tube amps you have to find the one that sounds good to you. I use a TH500 and think it's the perfect amp for me but I totally understand that it won't fit the bill for everyone. The new Aguilar AG700 looks good to me but the Genzler M800 and Mesa D800+ Is where I'd be looking first if I was looking for more top end.

Interestingly, when comparing the TH350 with my Hartke, I tried doing rapid scale figures on my Ibanez SR 406, & remember missing 2 notes. Nit audible on the Aguilar. So you can sed how twmpted I was to get both, with the TH so forgiving. But I had to stick with the higher detail the Hartke gave.

I'm no electronics wiz, but my degrees are in orchestral conducting & I'm an audiophile. The San Diego tech who mods & fixes my amps recorded Peter Erskine's " Standard's albums & his opinion of class Ds is that they have a long way to go to catch up with older technology. (This he said 4 years ago). I hope not, I want a light amp but the TH & Quilter I tried don't impress me at all.

 

[chris_b]

The San Diego tech who mods & fixes my amps recorded Peter Erskine's " Standard's albums & his opinion of class Ds is that they have a long way to go to catch up with older technology. (This he said 4 years ago).

A 4 year old quote about D Class amps is about as relevant as Henry Ford's views on automobiles. Your Orchestra's FOH will probably be run by D Class power amps.

As well as Genzler and Mesa the top end of D Class includes Bergantino, Demeter, Eich/Tecamp and Glockenklang.

 

[TomB]

From your description, and having used both them and Hartkes, you might like GK's MB series. They're not big bucks and are easy to find, new and used.

 

[svtb15]

Genzler MG 800 is top on my list. weight. functionality, dependable, and price are all very good.
The used Genz Benz .2 stuff all very good and a decent price,
I also have a Peavey mM1000 that is a beast and phat sounding..

 

[santacruzom]

D class amps haven't got a "sound". Each designer will make his amp sound how he wants it to sound. As with all SS and tube amps you have to find the one that sounds good to you. I use a TH500 and think it's the perfect amp for me but I totally understand that it won't fit the bill for everyone. The new Aguilar AG700 looks good to me but the Genzler M800 and Mesa D800+ Is where I'd be looking first if I was looking for more top end.

That's the intimidating factor in this I'm not really looking forward to trying out amp after amp looking for the one that best delivers what I'm after, especially since most of the models I'm intrigued by aren't stocked at local music stores.

I'm thinking of exiting the Class D hunt altogether and going back to tube in the form of the Portaflex PF-50T.

 

[chris_b]

I'm thinking of exiting the Class D hunt altogether and going back to tube in the form of the Portaflex PF-50T.

If a PF-50T is the sound you're after then an Aguilar TH350 might fit.

 

[Cuzzie]

This is one of these scenarios where the world is flat until someone actually proves to you it's round.
Each amp be it A/B, class D etc has its good and bad points, each has its own EQ quirks, coloration of sound, all tube, tube pre's etc.

If Hartke is right for you, it's cool, you know your trade off is the weight. If something nearly gets it and it's 10 times lighter, it's a judgement call.


If you want just Class D power, transparent sound, no EQ, then get the Jule M700. What you feed it will be amplified, you can then shape your tone with pedals/preamps, for example, if it's Hartke you like, get their VXL, awesome pedal

 

[foothilla]

That's the intimidating factor in this I'm not really looking forward to trying out amp after amp looking for the one that best delivers what I'm after, especially since most of the models I'm intrigued by aren't stocked at local music stores.

I'm thinking of exiting the Class D hunt altogether and going back to tube in the form of the Portaflex PF-50T.

Go back to tubes if you don't mind 10-20 times more weight, less reliability, and irritating tube microphonics at high volumes. Personally, I got sick of all the tube shortcomings of my old Mesa 400+, and made the switch to a Mesa D800+. It's not the perfect head. But, it's positives over the tube 400+ completely outweigh the negatives.

If you aren't "looking forward to trying out amp after amp", or at least researching amp after amp, then your choices are clear,.....you either make an uninformed purchase, or you stick with what you know (tubes). Just keep in mind, the evolution of your sound stops when you stick only with what you know. But, if your sound is incredible, that's not a bad thing.

 

[Jeff Scott]

...I got sick of all the tube shortcomings of my old Mesa 400+, and made the switch to a Mesa D800+. It's not the perfect head. But, it's positives over the tube 400+ completely outweigh the negatives...

Let Andy know what you feel are its shortcomings so he can make it perfect for the next round.

 

[Jakub]

Hey guys. I'm looking for sth lighter than my SVT4PRO and 410HLF. I heard many D-class amps on YT (Aguilar, Ampeg, Markbass, GK, TC, Hartke,Tech21, Mesa) and my favourites are Ampeg, Hartke and TC (BH series). But... it's still only YT videos and my good pair of headphones... I need Ampeg similar tone but little bit cleaner and softer (but just a little bit, not so soft, glass clean hifi thing. Can't achieve it with eq. My rig has a lot of low end and big cut in mids which I never liked). It must be for every type of music (I play mainly pop, r&b kind of things but sometimes I must give that rock sound to my bands). What should I get ? And which cab (or cabs to make powerful but small rig for weddings and small outdoor gigs) to get that sound ?

 

[Wicked G]

Of the 3 favorites you have listed, my pick would be the TCE BH800 or 500. But let me also throw in that if you do decide to go the TCE route, my personal favorite would be either the RH750 or 450. I own the BH800 and both RH heads and while the BH has the Toneprints which are pretty cool, the RH heads are built to emulate both pre and power tube amps. I always enjoy playing the BH800 but the RH heads just speak to me. IMHO, IME, YMMV.

 

[Jakub]

Of the 3 favorites you have listed, my pick would be the TCE BH800 or 500.

Thanks. But I have some questions for you. Does this head needs 2 cabs to plug in It or I can plug one ? I read that it needs at least 4ohm and those TC cabs are all 8. Is it true ? I like to use 2 cabs for big gigs but for rehearsals or small gigs I want only one cab to this head.

 

[Wicked G]

Thanks. But I have some questions for you. Does this head needs 2 cabs to plug in It or I can plug one ? I read that it needs at least 4ohm and those TC cabs are all 8. Is it true ? I like to use 2 cabs for big gigs but for rehearsals or small gigs I want only one cab to this head.

Not true. The BH heads can run 4 ohms which means you can run 1 4 ohm cab, 2 8 ohm cabs or just 1 8 ohm cab.