Comparing Class D amps

[D.A.R.K.]

Perhaps try a Mesa WD-800. It matches what you have been using (tube preamp into class D power section, but has far more tone shaping features (and a single knob mid range). I switched from tube preamp and ss power to one of these. There's also the TT800.

 

[Bluzeman90]

Try as many amps as you can in person, then you can find the Mesa is the best of them on your own instead of just taking my word for it lol

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I've owned the Bugera Veyron T for almost 3 years and it's been great. My main goal was a class D with a tube pre-amp.

Now I've read a bunch from owners of the Bergantino Forte, Mesa D-800, Demeter & GK fusion etc.

The question is will I notice a difference in sound quality going to a more expensive amp?

Feature wise the Bugera does have compression but I never use it because I don't know how to. One thing I do like is there is an adjustable midrange. It's not a sweep frequency but a fixed.

Funny enough I played through an Elf last week and it was punchy!

Thanks!

Well, yes. Every preamp is different. And every power amp reacts a little different. The Veyron is a solid little amp. Truth though, the mosfet version sounds better. I had both. I bought the Veyron because I had picked up a 15" combo, and liked it. So, I decided to get the head version and stick it on a cab. I played that amp for a couple years. It's a good head. But...

I moved on from Bugera and Behringer when I decided to venture out. I got a TC head first. The BH500. It was so clean. And the features were so usable. Everything about it just screamed how much better quality it was. Then I got a Peavey head, then I moved on to ampeg. I've had just about every head ampeg makes. I love them. For me, that's where it's at.

 

[mcnach]

I think about anything is going to sound better than the bugera

You've tried the Bugera?

 

[chris_b]

The question is will I notice a difference in sound quality going to a more expensive amp?

You should do, but not as much as the difference you'll notice going from one manufacturer to another. You can buy a cheap amp and love the sound, move to an expensive amp and hate it. There are no guarantees that more money equals better tone. Your preference is the filter for everything.

For example I went from a Mesa 400+, fully tube amp, to an Ampeg SVT3-PRO, SS amp with tube pre, to a Thunderfunk, 100% SS amp. From tubes to no tubes and IMO the sound improved dramatically. Not what the tube guys like to hear! IMO my Aguilar D class amps are another level of tone again.

YMMV

 

[57pbass]

I’ve used a few different brands. MESA, Aguilar, Bergantino. They all pretty much do as advertised and are quality brands..
My go to is the MESA WD800. It’s reliable, pretty simple to operate and it allows you to go from clean to tube grind with ease. Plenty of EQ options on this head as well.
Ultimately it what make you happy.

 

[Pbman]

All great info, thanks! It seems that more of you said to bypass the preamp. Before doing that, what is wrong with the Veyron T preamp? If it's as simple as tubes, I've already upgraded them.

As far a pre-amp, which ones. I've been out of pre-amp & amp game since having them for home audio years ago.

 

[ric4682]

I know you stated that you want a head with an actual tube in the preamp so you can have the “tube sound” you’re looking for. In my experience, having 1 actual tube in the circuit isn’t want makes a head tubey, it’s the overall voicing.
For instance, the Aguilar TH500/TH700 heads have no tubes and regarded as some of the more tubey and old school sounding class D heads.

 

[Pbman]

I've ready that TH 500 is good but dirty. I think the one to get would be the 700

 

[msb]

I bought Bergantino cabs and was totally floored at how great they sounded , so after a while I decided to try a Forte with them.
It should come as no surprise to hear they work really well together.
But there are a ton of great amps around these days. Mesa and Aguilar are very popular , and for good reason.

 

[msb]

I've ready that TH 500 is good but dirty. I think the one to get would be the 700

You can run it clean , or dial in whatever dirt you want. It is not all dirt.

 

[chris_b]

I've ready that TH 500 is good but dirty. I think the one to get would be the 700

I run my TH500 clean. No dirt in my sound.

 

[Pbman]

Good to hear about TH 500. Aguilar has a good name

 

[Liam Wald]

Bugera took over where Crate left off...

 

[_Tay_]

My experience has been that class-D amps are pretty clean and transparent. As long as there is an effects loop, you could feed the final amp section with a signal from a pre-amp or pedal(s). I use a 12AX7 preamp with a "Fender" tone stack, overdrive the gain a bit, and feed it directly into the return of my Quilter. Loud and definitely tube-sounding. If I feed it from my Ampeg 210 head, I get a really loud AMPEG amp. I wouldn't invest more money in another class-D amp. If you want a range of tone, get a good pedal or tube preamp to feed the Bugera.

Absolutely this. I use a couple of tube pre amp into my rumbles FX loop return and it sounds massive. Decent tube pre amps will cost less than a new amp and depending on budget could get 2 or 3. Sushi Box FX makes fantastic tube pre amps.

 

[deff]

Bugera took over where Crate left off...

Maybe on price point but honestly while they may have had some reliability issues, the Crate heads I've heard never sounded as bad as their reputation indicated. Every time I see a Veyron on stage I cringe. I've never heard one that didn't sound completely off.... It's almost like the amp company and those that play them don't have a decent idea about how bass amps are supposed to sound. It's like the amp is daring me to go up and try and eq it into something reasonable. Maybe others out there have had success, but I've never heard one. I've had people ask me to help a friend's band bass player while they were on stage playing through one. "can't you help him?". No.... I'm not going to embarrass somebody while they're on stage.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I've ready that TH 500 is good but dirty. I think the one to get would be the 700

It can do both. I think a little grind on the bottom may not sound as good soloed but in a mix it makes the band sound a lot better. And ultimately that is the goal. If you listen to isolated bass from many hit songs, it sounds like someone is working on a Buick in the background

 

[Liam Wald]

Maybe on price point but honestly while they may have had some reliability issues, the Crate heads I've heard never sounded as bad as their reputation indicated. Every time I see a Veyron on stage I cringe. I've never heard one that didn't sound completely off.... It's almost like the amp company and those that play them don't have a decent idea about how bass amps are supposed to sound. It's like the amp is daring me to go up and try and eq it into something reasonable. Maybe others out there have had success, but I've never heard one. I've had people ask me to help a friend's band bass player while they were on stage playing through one. "can't you help him?". No.... I'm not going to embarrass somebody while they're on stage.

You are probably correct but I am not too sure that the folks at Bugera would want everyone to know that the Crate products were better.
And while the Crate products didn't really sound all that bad they were built like... a crate.

 

[Jjacks651]

I've owned the Bugera Veyron T for almost 3 years and it's been great. My main goal was a class D with a tube pre-amp.

Now I've read a bunch from owners of the Bergantino Forte, Mesa D-800, Demeter & GK fusion etc.

The question is will I notice a difference in sound quality going to a more expensive amp?

Feature wise the Bugera does have compression but I never use it because I don't know how to. One thing I do like is there is an adjustable midrange. It's not a sweep frequency but a fixed.

Funny enough I played through an Elf last week and it was punchy!

Thanks!

Why isn't a Markbass Tube 800 in the mix? Asking for a friend.John

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I think about anything is going to sound better than the bugera

Yeah, you're wrong