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Double Bass EA Iamp 800 or Focus series III (one channel Version)

C

charmicarmicat

May 22, 2005
140
0
los angeles
#1
Okay, I know that this subject has been dealt with so many times but for some reason I can't seem to find an actual post that deals with this. If there is, point me the right way, feel free to flame me and, moderator, please delete this post :)

I have a CXL112 and a CXL110 both 8 ohm which means that together they form a 4 ohm load. They're both really great speakers and I'm sticking with them. I've recently sold some gear and would like to purchase a "real" UB amp. The rig I have now is good (1000 watt power amp and a 15 year old SVTII pre amp) but it took me some serious tweaking to get a good sound and it still seems that I struggle with it. Then again, it is the shi**y carpenter that blames his tools :)
The amps I am considering are the EA Iamp 800 or the AI Focus (one channel). Both as stand alone amps and not combo. I play improv/free jazz and I triple on my rig. Meaning I play 90% upright but I also play slab and do sound manipulation via laptop. I like the simplicity of the AI but the EQ section of the EA is very attractive. I've read both of those amps spec sheets and they are similar although the AI seems to go a bit deeper as well as a bit brighter (20hz-20khz) than the EA (50hz to 7.5 khz) but I'm not really savvy in those matters so I could be wrong.

So, does anybody have an experience with those two amps? What are your conclusions for both upright and slab? I don't want to start a thread that ends up in a major argument as I'm sure that there are fans of both but obviously sound and all that is subjective.

As always, I thank you all in advance for replying. Your knowledge has really helped me out as far as strings, cabs, basses etc. In one word: invaluable. Thank you!
 
#2
charmicarmicat said:
...I've read both of those amps spec sheets and they are similar although the AI seems to go a bit deeper as well as a bit brighter (20hz-20khz) than the EA (50hz to 7.5 khz) but I'm not really savvy in those matters so I could be wrong!
Click to expand...

Something is amiss. I knew there's no way the EA amp would be spec'ed at 50 Hz to 7.5 kHz. After all, the fundamental of the E string is about 41 Hz. According to what I found, the EA iamp 800 is spec'ed at 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 3 dB. I'm not sure where you found the 50 Hz - 7.5 kHz. That's more like the spec for a cab (although without the tolerance, e.g., +/- 3 dB, none of these specs is meaningful). As we've discussed charm, I think the parametric tone-shaping circuitry on the EA is a very powerful tool. I have no meaningful experience with the AIs.
 
#3
drurb said:
Something is amiss. I knew there's no way the EA amp would be spec'ed at 50 Hz to 7.5 kHz. After all, the fundamental of the E string is about 41 Hz. According to what I found, the EA iamp 800 is spec'ed at 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 3 dB. I'm not sure where you found the 50 Hz - 7.5 kHz. That's more like the spec for a cab (although without the tolerance, e.g., +/- 3 dB, none of these specs is meaningful). As we've discussed charm, I think the parametric tone-shaping circuitry on the EA is a very powerful tool. I have no meaningful experience with the AIs.
Click to expand...

drurb on the ball! Here's where I found the specs. Page 6.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#4
charmicarmicat said:
drurb on the ball! Here's where I found the specs. Page 6.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Ah, those are the specs for action of the pre-sets on the parametric tone-shaping circuitry. The amplifier, itself its spec'ed at 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +/-3 dB. If you by-pass the tone-shaping section, that's what you get. As far as the pre-sets go, I hardly ever use them. I use the individual controls and they operate over a broader range than 50 Hz to 7.5 kHz.
 
#7
I own a Focus SIII and used to own and iAmp 500. The iAmps are great amps but in the end I'm a 'one fat sound' kind of guy and don't really need a ton of flexibility. The Focus is more plug and play but like a lot of guys I do use a Sansamp some times for rock and blues on bass guitar. I do like the Focus pre for electric but it's not really a fat rock sound. Portability was a factor in my decision as well.
 
#8
I traded my Iamp 800 for a Focus 2R III. Didn't miss the iamp for a second.

Best DB amp for the buck in my book.

Edit: I don't know anything about amplifying a computer. Put a mic on it and see how it sounds.
 

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