Carvin BX500

[B-string]

This is what their catalog manuel says "RMS 8 ohms 300w, RMS 4 Ohms 500w, RMS 2 Ohms limited 8 ohms Dynamic Peak 600w Dynamic Peak 1000w", if you can make any sense of that. I'll def be checking into the output wattage and get back to everyone.

Sounds like the amp "De-rates" under a 2 ohm load to the 8 ohm rating?

 

[Jo6Pak]

My guess is this amp is still in the final design stages, thus none are available for purchase and the specs are incomplete. 2 Ohm loads are becoming more popular and they obviously want to accommodate us. Ordinarily, power output increases toward the minimum load, but it really depends on the amp design (as has already been stated).

 

[tombowlus]

This looks very promising. I think we need to put one through its paces.

 

[buckminster]

I'm pretty sure Carvin would not advertise a product for sale in their current catalog without having a final design that was ready to produce.

My guess is this amp is still in the final design stages, thus none are available for purchase and the specs are incomplete. 2 Ohm loads are becoming more popular and they obviously want to accommodate us. Ordinarily, power output increases toward the minimum load, but it really depends on the amp design (as has already been stated).

 

[BassmanPaul]

I don't know why but EVERY time I see a graphic EQ on an amp I immediately lose interest! The positive side to this is that it has saved me a lot of money over the years.

Paul

 

[kaiser_sosea]

cuz tone shaping options suck...

I don't know why but EVERY time I see a graphic EQ on an amp I immediately lose interest! The positive side to this is that it has saved me a lot of money over the years.

Paul

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

I don't know why but EVERY time I see a graphic EQ on an amp I immediately lose interest! The positive side to this is that it has saved me a lot of money over the years.

Paul

I agree. Personally, I don't like the "sound" of a graphic EQ... I don't have a golden ear or anything, but I can just tell that something isn't right when there's a graphic EQ involved.

 

[rovito]

Subscribed!

 

[kevinmoore73]

I just got the new Carvin catalog in the mail today. I figured I'd jump on here to see what people were saying about this thing and I find this thread in the #1 position on the main page. It's meant to be!

I've been happy with my LMII, but the tube, built-in compressor, mute switch, and tone shaping options on this are very intriguing. Subscribed.

 

[vinxbass]

Any word on when they might have a floor model to try out?

Carvin is advertising the head now, but it won't be available in the stores til after the NAMM show Jan 15-18 in Anaheim, CA.

Anywaze, I thought for sure they'd have it at the store, but don't. From those I've talked to at Carvin, they've got real high hopes for the BX500.

 

[NWB]

I agree. Personally, I don't like the "sound" of a graphic EQ... I don't have a golden ear or anything, but I can just tell that something isn't right when there's a graphic EQ involved.

And that's why the Carvin bass heads have a graphic defeat switch. Don't like? Don't use it.

 

[Solarmist]

I just got the new Carvin catalog in the mail today. I figured I'd jump on here to see what people were saying about this thing and I find this thread in the #1 position on the main page. It's meant to be!

Ditto ..... I'm Intrigued

 

[Michael Vee]

if it provides outputs that'll make it easy to use it as a pre-amp driving a two-channel power amp.

The Shuttle has an output that will drive a power amp.

 

[bohemond]

Does anyone know the what the tube in the preamp is in the Carvin BX500/ 12AX7?

 

[Jazzdogg]

The Shuttle has an output that will drive a power amp.

Does anyone know if the new Carvin has these connections? I traded my Shuttle for an iAmp800 that sounds fantastic, but lacks the power I need for outdoor gigs.

 

[musicman7722]

Seems like Carvin has read the threads here for all the micro amps and tried to hit most of the hot buttoms so to speak that the other makers have missed. Mute buttons, tube, 2 ohm load, DI volume control etc.. Yet I never read anything from the. In praise of Little Mark, Genz and others they are always right on the ball here with answers.

CP

 

[Krügmeister]

This looks very promising. I think we need to put one through its paces.

Tom, This head is seriously getting alot of traction in this forum.
I am subscibed myself... I bet it is a great little head... looks like Carvin ain't playing around anymore.
I CANNOT wait to see your review and put it though your tests

 

[rcubed]

Seems like Carvin has read the threads here for all the micro amps and tried to hit most of the hot buttoms so to speak that the other makers have missed. Mute buttons, tube, 2 ohm load, DI volume control etc.. Yet I never read anything from the. In praise of Little Mark, Genz and others they are always right on the ball here with answers.

CP

Agreed. My LMII doesn't get as much action as it should since it doesn't have a headphone output.

 

[WoodyG3]

I'm kind of a Carvin fanboy, but my Little Mark CMD 121P is certainly the nicest combo amp I've ever owned. It would take a lot for Carvin to win me over with this new little amp. But, I gotta' say that it looks really nice on paper!

 

[vinxbass]

I agree. Personally, I don't like the "sound" of a graphic EQ... I don't have a golden ear or anything, but I can just tell that something isn't right when there's a graphic EQ involved.

With Carvin footswitchable EQ, you can have a different tone for slap and then your regular tone with the para's, just an example. I use it all the time on my Carvin BX1200 head.