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Class D amp with the most slam/punch

g4string

g4string

Gold Supporting Member
Sep 19, 2002
4,069
2,585
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Melissa, TX
#1
So after life changing moment of playing through a DB751, I remember the joy of playing through a lead sled. And while my TH500 is certainly a capable amp by all means, after hearing the DB751, I miss that slam only a big amp can do.

I know only a big amp is capable of hitting like that. But surely there are a few small class A/B or class D’s that can come close? If so, what hits as close to lead sled?
 
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#2
I suspect that it's not the type of amp, but rather the voicing of the power section combined with the match to the preamp, that contributes most to what you're feeling.

I run various bass preamps (Navigator, db680, etc.) into a PLX3602 and think it's pretty awesome. Also, every amp I've ever used with a Hypex 1200w module has had punch and slam for days.
 
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#4
These terms are not clearly defined. IMHO the big Aggies excel at slam, but I don't really consider them punchy. In fact, I feel these two qualities are usually negatively correlated. There are a few examples of amps that seem to excel at both, but not many...with most amps it seems necessary to trade one for the other.

As I said in the Monique thread, I really don't think you will find another amp that delivers lows exactly like the DB751 or DB750--I will add, regardless of output topology. There have been plenty of threads on this subject, so if there was a contender it would be widely known.

Essentially, if you want the sound and feel of a big Aggie, a DB75X is your only choice. So either accept the size and weight compromise to get exactly the sound and feel you want, or accept the advantages of another amp that unfortunately does not sound and feel exactly like the big Aggies.

I do think the Jule Monique 700 has really nice lows and a very sweet tone overall, but I put it more in the Ampeg tone universe. IMHO the big Aggies falls on the periphery of the Fender tone universe.

I have not done an AB volume comparison between my Monique 700 and a DB75X. My impression is the M700 gets way louder than I would ever need, but if I actually push it to the limit, it hits a point where it suddenly falls apart in a rather unmusical way. I think this has to do with the design of any power management applied to the output module; rather than a inherent flaw of the output module. My other solid state amps, either have more headroom or they transition more gracefully (and musically) into overload.

However impractical this may be, the best chance of finding an amp you like is to hunt down and play as many amps as you can.
 
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#5
bherman said:
The two that come to mind for me based on personal experience, are Quilter Bass Block and Bergantino.
Click to expand...

Agree about the Quilter Bass Block.

I also love the Jad Freer Sisma, it has an incredible punch/heft/authority. It's not class D, it's a class G amp, not sure if it's an important factor but it sounds great.

Last, Alex from Barefaced is working on an amp, he said the DB750-751 is one of his main inspirations: "we want that kind of heavy weight sound without the ultra heavy weight, so we're working on that". No release date yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came out soon.
 
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#8
Among others, I believe I spent about $350 on a used QSC GX-7, It’s not Class D; but weighs in at about 15 pounds, and is so powerful I actually have to be careful not to blow my drivers out of the baskets. Driven by either a Demeter VTBP-201 or Alembic F1X, that amp yields to no other amp in the slam department.

I’ve also got Class D amps, currently made by Demeter and GK. Neither maker’s amps are even slightly lacking in the slam department; power-wise. But, it is certainly worth noting that, as previously posted, getting full slam is equally due to voicing choices in the preamp / power amp connection design.

Edit: the other aspect of these Class D amp discussions is that here we are, once again, comparing a $2k amp to a $1k amp (ballpark). The Class D amp used for the argument is always substantially cheaper than the bigger amp. Folks, you generally get what you pay for, at least with dedicated bass amp heads.

I just don’t get that. There are higher quality Class D amps out there. But, dear me, they just cost too much. So, yeah, we’ll just A/B with the less expensive amp, and then draw conclusions about the Class of Amps. Sheesh.
 
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#10
g4string said:
So after life changing moment of playing through a DB751, I remember the joy of playing through a lead sled. And while my TH500 is certainly a capable amp by all means, after hearing the DB751, I miss that slam only a big amp can do.

I know only a big amp is capable of hitting like that. But surely there are a few small class A/B or class D’s that can come close? If so, what hits as close to lead sled?
Click to expand...

The Bergantino HP2, hands down.

I was an Aguilar artist for years, and even two TH500’s slaved together had nowhere near the “slam” or headroom that the DB751 does.

The HP2 is the only class D amp I’ve ever played through that has the same kind of visceral impact as playing through a DB751.
 
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#12
Hard to beat this one for slam...

Peavey Headliner 1000, 1k/1.5k watts RMS/Peak.

It's 1.5 space rack-mount but class D, ten pounds. There are two for sale now at GC Used site, ~$350/400.
upload_2023-11-6_14-35-40.jpeg
 
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#13
31HZ said:
I suspect that it's not the type of amp, but rather the voicing of the power section combined with the match to the preamp, that contributes most to what you're feeling.

I run various bass preamps (Navigator, db680, etc.) into a PLX3602 and think it's pretty awesome. Also, every amp I've ever used with a Hypex 1200w module has had punch and slam for days.
Click to expand...

+1 on the Navi. I still have a WT-1250 power amp that I bought NOS for $270 11 years ago. Still hardly used. It is a very formidable system, damn the weight. I never had cabs enough to crank the amp full out, but it will kick serious butt with what I have.
 
#16
IMHO and experience - (I’m no authority but I play a lot of live shows)..the 700/800 watt Class D heads do not deliver - for me - the chest pounding thump I crave for.
The smaller high powered heads that have really worked for me have been the Bergantino HP, The Arkham Beast and a Walter Woods Ultra Hi Powered head.. all 1200 watts @ 4 ohms and 600-800 watts @ 8 ohms. They all slam pretty hard when needed..
I also use the MESA SUBWAY heads and they work fine but there are certain rooms and venues we play where I just need the additional power..
 
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