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Carvin's BX1500 and B2000

#41
bassplayer7770 said:
Yeah, my BX1200 doesn't have center detents either, which isn't ideal, but it is boost and cut on all the EQ controls (other than the Contour control). I agree it would be nicer if the controls had center detents.

Yeah, I'm not sure how they can use a preamp tube in the power section... :confused:

Still, I'm intrigued by the new models.
Click to expand...

But at least the BX1200 has zero @ noon truly indicating what the knob does.
 
#43
You can view the catalog online
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Have to scroll down a bit to get to the new bass stuff
 
#44
Blues Cat said:
... It's my understanding that the Mesa heads use a power tube before the SS power section. It looks like Carvin is using a preamp tube. We need more info.
Click to expand...

The Mesa heads (BB750, Walkabout and possibly others) use 12ax7 tubes in the pre-amps as well as to drive the front-end of the SS power amps. What I'm curious about is if Carvin is doing something similar? There is a conflict in the catalog though, as they identify the tube as being used for the pre in a picture, but the copy makes it clear the tube drives the power amp. Hmmm... the ability to dis-engage the tube via a rear-panel switch leaves me to believe that it is nothing more than a pre-amp tube. We'll have to see...

IMO, I do wish that Carvin would eliminate that stupid "tube" logo from these amps though. Makes them look cheap and decidedly non-pro. They should just deliver a classy, solid looking package and not feel the need to over-promote.
 
#48
That heavy breathing you hear is me.....gimme BX1500 NOW!

I have BX500 and I really like it. It is powering a Fitzmaurice DR250 and T39 sub. I tried bi-amping this setup once with a friend's SVT4Pro (boat anchor by today's technology) and it was awesome.
The BX1500 seems like a perfect match.
I will wait a little while before I make my move to get one as there always seems to be teething problems with the release of new ultralight bass amps, regardless of brand.
 
#55
John Bigboote said:
It is patently ******** that those knobs are numbered 1 to 10, instead of a 0 at noon. Seriously, what were they thinking?

-jb
Click to expand...

It's been a point of contention with me since the original B1500 came out.

The EQ section of the B2000 is labeled incorrectly frankly. It has no affect on the tone obviously. If a player walked up on this amp they'd think it was boost only.

On the B1500, one of the only negs in a Bass Player review was the EQ labeling on the front of the amp and that they'd like to see center detents.

Center detents help to find actual flat because sometimes a pot can be installed a little crooked. Some of my old SWR 350 eq points were flat at 11:30 - 12:30.
 
#56
bassplayer7770 said:
Until you click on the B2000, then the price is $699.

I'm majorly intrigued, and I hope the tubes help provide slightly warmer tone. I do have a couple backup amps in case B2000 GAS gets the best of me...
Click to expand...

If one were a shrewd buyer, they would take a screenshot of the original page and then demand that the $599 price tag be honored. I have a feeling you'd get that if you played that card.
 
#58
The BX1500 looks identical to my BX1200, except for a tad more (and hardly noticable) difference in watts, and two pre-amp tubes (one for each power section).

I love my BX1200. It's still a killer amp and one of the best I've had and does everything I need (as well as lots more I don't need...at this point anyway). I've never been impressed with tube pre-amps because they come NOWHERE near the sound of an all-tube power amp.

Perhaps the tube pres will give a bit more warmth, but really that's nothing a little EQ tweaking couldn't solve. Now if the B1500 had an ALL-TUBE power amp...I'd be drooling.

The advancement beyond the BX1200 (to me anyway) is akin to upgrading a car to one with 100-200 more horsepower and a better heater.

However, the price is negligible, yet the weight savings appears to be just having the case removed.

To me, if there is a single amphead on Carvin's website worth drooling over, it's still the B1500, unless the B2000 sounds identical to it.
 

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