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Class D and Neo cabs are the future!

#101
Reading this thread it appears the divide is mostly a generational thing- the young guys love the newest technology, and believe anything newer, lighter, faster louder equals "better", while the older among us would prefer the more traditional, and slightly heavier vintage equipment. Thing is though, digital modeling is not, and will never be, exactly the same thing. You can *feel* and hear the difference, and no matter how close they get, it's NOT the same thing.
 
#102
Axtman said:
I really think that Class D amps and Neodymium cabinets are the wave of the future. Catch the wave! (Sorry I could not resist.)

[snip]

BTW, I love tube amps but don't want to schlep them back and forth to gigs!
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As a Genz-Benz owner with neo cabs, I agree. There is no longer any reason for anyone who wants lighter gear to tote a 100+ pound amp or speaker cab around unless they either don't have the $$ to upgrade or have convinced themselves that they "can't get their tone" from a Class D amp....which I sincerely doubt.

Of course, many players are quite happy with the older, heavier gear and manage it very well. More power to them - no need to change if they don't want to.

But it ain't my back or my ears. Knock yourself out toting that back-breaking stuff around and make yourself happy. :smug:
 
#103
RickenBoogie said:
Reading this thread it appears the divide is mostly a generational thing- the young guys love the newest technology, and believe anything newer, lighter, faster louder equals "better", while the older among us would prefer the more traditional, and slightly heavier vintage equipment. Thing is though, digital modeling is not, and will never be, exactly the same thing. You can *feel* and hear the difference, and no matter how close they get, it's NOT the same thing.
Click to expand...

When you say older what do you mean? I'm 27 and I just bought a traynor YBA 200. Before that I had a Fender Bassman 135 which I believe is older than me.
 
#104
I wonder how many SVT owners are replacing them with class D amplifiers. And, how many VT Bass owners ever owned a tube amp. Of course, there are some, but I'm wondering if it's just a compromise for the sake of weight.

I sold a perfectly good Sunn 300T because my bandmates were trashing it during load in and out. I would tell them to leave it alone and that I would carry it. tube amps cannot take that kind of abuse. Eventually they will go.

Gale
 
#105
billfitzmaurice said:
Follow the money. China is cutting back on exports of raw materials because there's more profit in selling finished goods. Instead of exporting raw neo to the rest of the world they're choosing to export neo magnets, and for that matter complete neo drivers. That's not sinister, it's good business. And they learned that from the masters: the English, the Japanese and us.
BTW, where do you think most ceramic magnets come from?
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You're right about the money, that's for sure. I do believe, though, that because neo is such a finite resource, that demand for military/national defense applications will drive the price beyond what can be reasonably absorbed by speaker manufacturers or passed on to those consumers.

I hadn't even considered where ceramic magnets came from, not many news articles about them. I learned something new today, thanks for the insight.
 
#106
steamthief said:
You're right about the money, that's for sure. I do believe, though, that because neo is such a finite resource, that demand for military/national defense applications will drive the price beyond what can be reasonably absorbed by speaker manufacturers or passed on to those consumers.
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The number one demand for neo is in electric motors for cars, not the military, though if Hummers are replaced by the Prius it could become a concern. :crying:
If the neo supply runs short someone will come up with an alternative. I recall fears 50 years ago about AlNiCo magnet prices skyrocketing due to a shortage of cobalt. We seem to have survived.
 
#108
billfitzmaurice said:
The number one demand for neo is in electric motors for cars, not the military, though if Hummers are replaced by the Prius it could become a concern. :crying:
If the neo supply runs short someone will come up with an alternative. I recall fears 50 years ago about AlNiCo magnet prices skyrocketing due to a shortage of cobalt. We seem to have survived.
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AFAIK most of those motors are starters on conventional cars. The neo magnet reduces weight. I'm trying to remember if alternators also use permanent magnets.

It's possible that enough of those magnets are now being produced to support recycling.
 
#109
I was suspect of Neos at first and have always been an advocate of huge magnets, and big voice coils.

When I bought an Avatar B410Neo, I was so impressed, I ordered a second one, which I didn't really need, but GAS got the best of me and I ordered the second which I reserve for outdoor venues only.

Moral: Neos have come a long way and don't be afraid they won't measure up power wise. They're fabulous. These cabs really rock! Tons of bottom, mids & highs, punches like a prizefighter, and Tone to die for.

Now, while I could buy any head I wanted to power them, I chose the Littlemark III 800w all digital. They make the same amp with tubes but I chose the all digital for durability and for the fantastic sounds I am able to get out of it.

I don't miss tubes at all. 6lbs of dynamite power and flexibility and never have to worry about bumping it and killing a tube on the way to a show.

All this without breaking my back anymore.
Works for me really well.
That's just my preference.

:cool:
 
#111
RickenBoogie said:
I like some neo loaded cabs, but have yet to get MY tone from a class D amp.
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+1 I use a few NEO loaded cabs & I like them. Class D hasn't 'impressed' me enough to warrant me using one regularly. - well at all really :D

I STILL love the LMII I have tho it's mainly now only used as a back up to either my Mesa Walkabout or SVTII,
but when I DO get the LMII out- I KNOW it's got a good tone & plenty of power- thats 'switchmode' but NOT class D - am I correct? :rolleyes:
 
#112
This whole discussion is very much akin to people talking about basses themselves: you need to pick what works for you based on the criteria you establish for yourself.

I've been doing the Class D amp combined with a Neo equipped cab for roughly the last year. And truth be told, for showcase club gigs in NYC it's been fantastic! In that environment you're dealing with a lot of challenges: getting you and your gear to a gig in the biggest city in the United States. That could involve using public transportation because driving to a gig is not always an option. You've got to load-in quickly and get up on stage even faster during the set changes. With my current setup I've got the bass in a gigbag on my back, my cables, tuner and amp head in a messenger bag and the the cabinet in one hand.

Change the gig environment and the gear can change. Do we have more time? How about cartage? And is there a sound crew? What about tour support? Maybe then I'm bringing out an SVT rig. Your gear may need to change considering your gig conditions.
 
#113
rodl2005 said:
+1 I use a few NEO loaded cabs & I like them. Class D hasn't 'impressed' me enough to warrant me using one regularly. - well at all really :D

I STILL love the LMII I have tho it's mainly now only used as a back up to either my Mesa Walkabout or SVTII,
but when I DO get the LMII out- I KNOW it's got a good tone & plenty of power- thats 'switchmode' but NOT class D - am I correct? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
right rod...lmii is class ab.
 
#114
THORRR said:
I don't miss tubes at all. 6lbs of dynamite power and flexibility and never have to worry about bumping it and killing a tube on the way to a show.
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you still have to worry abotu bumping it. they're not indestructable. and tubes aren't so delicate either where you have to worry about bumping it. i bump my tubes amps plenty.
 
#116
let me just clarify myself a bit...you do have to worry about bumping either one. a good bump in the right place will take any amp out. but tube amps are not so delicate they have to be handled with kid gloves, nor are micro amps so indestructable that a good bump won't take them out.
 
#117
JimmyM said:
you still have to worry abotu bumping it. they're not indestructable. and tubes aren't so delicate either where you have to worry about bumping it. i bump my tubes amps plenty.
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+1 :rollno: Damn

My SVTII slid off the back of the NV610 once- a dopey 'helper outer' decided he'd move my rig forward for me, didn't realize the weight & the NV610 rolled forward from under him, the SVTII fell 3' to the floor, hasn't missed a beat- 2 yrs later.
I BUMP it plenty, stack stuff on it, Stand it on it's a$$ etc.. BUT -all carefully :D

I think I treat ALL my amps about the same- treat 'em with respect & hopefully- they'll serve me well. It's worked for 35 yrs so far. :hiding:
 
#119
fdeck said:
AFAIK most of those motors are starters on conventional cars.
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It's motors for hybrids and pure electrics. The light weight of neo is one item that makes them possible. Demand won't be dropping anytime soon. I suppose neo might be going into starters now, but starters aren't 50HP and more, so even AlNiCo isn't too much weight.
 
#120
I just sold my 8x10 and am seriously thinking of getting a 1x15, I'm digging the idea of using smaller gear right now, the best time I had playing music over the years was back in the time when I left highschool and I was in a band using only a 1x15, a 50watt Jansen tube amp and a p-bass

As for class D, I'm using a Orange Bass Terror, I like the compromise of the new technology and the old - due to the fact it uses an old existing preamp design.
 

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