Class D amp with the most slam/punch

[J Wilson]

Hang on, lemme get my Slam/Punch meter.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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?

Your sound depends entirely on your cabinets. Amps don't make sound, they amplify a signal. Speakers make sound

 

[Lance Bunyon]

None of this would be an issue if the big box music stores would listen to me.
Just combine the bass and drum departments and everyone on both sides of the slam/punch universe would know what works, and what doesn't.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Your sound depends entirely on your cabinets. Amp don't make sound, they amplify a signal. Speakers make sound

Speakers interpret the signal.
Crappy signal sounds crappy.

 

[stockplus]

...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.

Agreed 100%. There are a lot of cool sounding amps out there but none of them deliver quite like a DB750 or DB751.

 

[stockplus]

...but having owned an Aguilar DB750/751 I can tell you that nothing slams like that amp.

Yep!

 

[Guygrooves]

My Markbass SD1200 is a crusher..Mad power. Great tonal abilities. Rolling on a MB 2x12 and its gnarly. I'd like to try it on other cabs to for fun.

 

[Marko 1]

Your sound depends entirely on your cabinets. Amp don't make sound, they amplify a signal. Speakers make sound

The preamp does affect slam, and watts are also very relevant...

but yeah, a properly-voiced cab that can deliver the slam is part of the equation.

 

[pfschim]

Hang on, lemme get my Slam/Punch meter.

Of course, you'll also need your handy Heft-O-Meter to make any kind of accurate measurement.

 

[logdrum]

Unfortunately my amps that go over 500 watts are AI and I have humble EA cabinets and an AI speaker that looks like a hat box. They are more timid caress or like a goldfish burp. My Mesa 400 with the old 15 and 210 is like a large fart after too many bean burritos. For slam I occasionally lift the empty shipping container I have with the mini tractor bucket and let it fall on the rail road tie - until my wife stopped me because that's class-D for dumb. I just wanted to hear the slam/boom for once.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Yes, lol... you are SO right!

'Cept for post #12, the Peavey 1000 is objectively the slammingest slamminin slammering class D EVAH!!!

Since Peavey owns Trace Elliot maybe the Trace TE-1200 may be a contender for "the slammingest slamminin slammering class D EVAH!!!"

 

[brianrost]

If you want Slam, here you go, it doesn’t get any better!

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

My QSC PLX 3602 does slam galore. 1,250 watts into each channel @ 4 ohms. However, it's a Class H amp, and its slam is higher because H is higher up the alphabet than D. The dog is SO bored by all this slam talk.

 

[GreyBeard]

It is my understanding that Class D amps are all pretty much the same and it is the pre-amp section that separates them.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I've never had the opportunity to play through a DB75x, and regret not picking one up at a decent price on the local CL a year or so ago...
I've been curious about the Berg HP for some time, but just fell into a Forte at the local GC a couple weeks ago, and figured I'd give that a try 1st to see how I liked the amp.

Curious; How is "slam" best measured - or at least, what is the most significant factors that contribute?
Is it the dampening?

 

[Maxi Funkl]

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.

I was going to ask about this head because it seems spec wise to be the obvious choice.

 

[Joebone]

Putting in a word for the Trickfish Bullhead 1K. It's the closest Class D amp I've played in chasing that outrageous sense of authority created by a DB75X. It may not get the grit, but it certainly spreads the gravy!

 

[Wasnex]

It is my understanding that Class D amps are all pretty much the same and it is the pre-amp section that separates them.

Not necessarily. AFAIK, the Mesa 800W Subways all use the same output module, but @agedhorse has tuned them in different ways.

 

[GreyBeard]

Agedhorse, please settle this.

 

[DJ Bebop]

If you want Slam, here you go, it doesn’t get any better!