EA VL-110 amp advice.

[modulusan]

Hi everyone. I just acquired a Euphonic Audio VL-110 (8 ohms) I'm wondering what type of head would be a good match for this specific cabinet. I currently have a TecAmp Puma 500, and I'm looking at an old iAMP 350 (Class A/B power amp), an iAMP 500, and an iAMP 800. I'm also considering an Acoustic Image Focus 1 (600W @ 4 ohms). Thanks for the help!

 

[Nebadon2000]

That Cab is known for its accurate response: Rated power handling is 250watts

Seem to prefer Vintage gear so IAMP 350 should enable you get all the output Speaker can deliver

I would look at more Modern Amps such as Mesa D350 or Genzler 350

 

[DCErik]

I bought my first VL-110 new in '97, and picked up a 2nd, used one last year. I'm running a MarkBass LittleMark VI which is 250W @ 8Ohm and 500W @ 4Ohm, so matches perfectly for 1 or 2 cabinets. If I had it to do over I'd probably get a Quilter (used to run the single cab on an Ampeg SVT 400-T head and never had an issue with the cab being overpowered).

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Genzler and Mesa would be my choices.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Hi everyone. I just acquired a Euphonic Audio VL-110 (8 ohms) I'm wondering what type of head would be a good match for this specific cabinet. I currently have a TecAmp Puma 500, and I'm looking at an old iAMP 350 (Class A/B power amp), an iAMP 500, and an iAMP 800. I'm also considering an Acoustic Image Focus 1 (600W @ 4 ohms). Thanks for the help!

What kind of voicing are you hoping to find in your new amp?

I have, for example, an Acoustic Image Focus and a Euphonic Audio iAmp800. Both are great amps. But they each have a unique voice; I like them both, for completely different reasons.

EA and AI are both out of business. I know of no one who is servicing either brand. As much as I love both of my amps from these well regarded companies, if I were considering a new bass amp today I would be much more likely to purchase a modern, repairable, amp with a good warranty, e.g., Mesa's Subway line, Genzler, Bergantino, or Quilter.

The road to disappointment is paved with unrealistic expectations. Good luck in your quest.

 

[modulusan]

What kind of voicing are you hoping to find in your new amp?

I have, for example, an Acoustic Image Focus and a Euphonic Audio iAmp800. Both are great amps. But they each have a unique voice; I like them both, for completely different reasons.

EA and AI are both out of business. I know of no one who is servicing either brand. As much as I love both of my amps from these well regarded companies, if I were considering a new bass amp today I would be much more likely to purchase a modern, repairable, amp with a good warranty, e.g., Mesa's Subway line, Genzler, Bergantino, or Quilter.

The road to disappointment is paved with unrealistic expectations. Good luck in your quest.

In the past, I owned an iAmp 500 and I was happy with the sound, as long as you understand what the amp's EQ actually does. I also owned an Acoustic Image. I understand that the main advantages of the later Iamps are its ultra-lightweight design and great power, though it’s a bit limited when it comes to tone shaping IMHO.
My idea, as I see it, is to get an iAmp or similar (I think shares the same concept as the epi ul502), since it would in principle be a better match for the VL-110.
My doubt lies with the older 350 model, given that the power amp section and the design are different, -if I understand correctly-. I don't mind the idea of a slightly warmer tone, while still maintaining the overall cleanliness of the sound, as I don't like amps that color the signal too much.
Thanks for the comment

 

[Passinwind]

In the past, I owned an iAmp 500 and I was happy with the sound, as long as you understand what the amp's EQ actually does. I also owned an Acoustic Image. I understand that the main advantages of the later Iamps are its ultra-lightweight design and great power, though it’s a bit limited when it comes to tone shaping IMHO.
My idea, as I see it, is to get an iAmp or similar (I think shares the same concept as the epi ul502), since it would in principle be a better match for the VL-110.
My doubt lies with the older 350 model, given that the power amp section and the design are different, -if I understand correctly-. I don't mind the idea of a slightly warmer tone, while still maintaining the overall cleanliness of the sound, as I don't like amps that color the signal too much.
Thanks for the comment

I owned an iAmp350 and eventually moved to the iAmp800. In my use cases playing through an EA Cxl112 the only meaningful diffrerence was the lack of a fan in the 800. Sounded and felt exactly the same to me, not a whit of difference. I was mostly playing very clean old school jazz on EUB at the time though. My AI Focus sounded nearly identical in that situation too, but the EQ scheme was in fact not quite up to snuff for me for fretless BG and definitely not so for fretted BG for my friends who sat in on it.

Personally, if I didn't already build my own I'd be looking at something current production from any of the usual suspects who do models without a heavily baked in personality. The amp you already have kind of qualifies as far as the latter part though, no?

 

[ad9000]

I have a couple of VL-110’s and they sound good with pretty much any amp I’ve ever used with them. Just be careful not to overpower yours - in case of a blown driver you’d have to go with a substitute as the originals have been unavailable for quite a while.

 

[Saetia]

Don’t want to blow a driver as mentioned but boy do they love power. Use discretion, but they sound best with high head room.

Had 3 of them at one point, still keep one. I use at minimum 300 watts over the years.

 

[tombowlus]

Don’t want to blow a driver as mentioned but boy do they love power. Use discretion, but they sound best with high head room.

Had 3 of them at one point, still keep one. I use at minimum 300 watts over the years.

Yeah, that's the "game," isn't it? Give them enough headroom, and they absolutely sound their best, but be cautious and don't push them "over the edge." Fortunately, I never blew any of the drivers in my VL cabs, but I always paid attention to how they were behaving. That can be tough on a gig, though, when things get "exciting."

 

[otto B]

I highly recommend the iAmp500, I used it for my VL210 and VL110. I am about to sale mine if interested. It's close to being mint condition

 

[modulusan]

I highly recommend the iAmp500, I used it for my VL210 and VL110. I am about to sale mine if interested. It's close to being mint condition

Dm sent otro.thanks