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Euphonic Audio iAmp 800

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by DenverKen, Jul 17, 2003.

  1. Jul 17, 2003 #1
    DenverKen

    DenverKen

    Dec 20, 2001
    Mile High City
    Folks, I just wanted to post a quick blurb on my EA iAMp 800.

    I received said amplifier back in April, and it sounded fabulous! Lots of tonal flexibility and a really hi-fi sound. But soon it developed a problem: an overly aggressive protection circuit, which caused the amp to shut down the output section intermittently.

    The guys at AE were totally cool, and issued a UPS call tag so I didn't even have to pay for shipping. Here is the kicker: they did this 3 times! I still had the problem after the 1st fix. Then after the final fix was made, the amp was fine but the tuner switch came loose. Gary at EA suggested I just ship it back again, on their dime, and they'd not only fix the tuner switch but do some circuitry mods to make mine just like the latest models in production.

    The work was done, and they shipped it back to me FedEx Next Day Air so I could have it for a gig that Friday.

    Now keep in mind, I have not paid one single dime for shipping or any other costs to have this thing go back and forth. And of course, now it has worked flawlessly for two months.

    If you're in the market for a hi-fi, very flexible amp, and don't want the hassles of poor customer service, you should go EA all the way! I also believe that their latest production run is problem-free, and Gary even mentioned that the problem mine exhibited had only surfaced on a couple of other amps.

    Denver Ken
     
  2. Jul 17, 2003 #2
    bryan bailey

    bryan bailey

    Feb 15, 2003
    North Kingstown, Rhode Island
    This may sound idiotic, but hey, I don't know. What makes an amp sound "hi-fi". And what is so great about the hi-fi amps?
     
  3. Jul 17, 2003 #3
    TheCreature

    TheCreature

    May 22, 2002
    Dallas, TX
    I have posted in the past, and it bears repeating, about EA's *fantastic* customer service.

    davej
     
  4. Jul 17, 2003 #4
    narud

    narud

    Mar 15, 2001
    santa maria,california
    you better have great customer service if youre going to put out a product that is that problematic out of the box.
     
  5. Jul 17, 2003 #5
    boogiebass

    boogiebass

    Aug 16, 2000
    Yeah, the bane of so-called "high-end" gear has sometimes been unreliability. I own two EA iamp600's, one of which is the third one they made. It developed a problem recently with output after a LOT of gigs. EA was exceptional to deal with and they fixed it quickly. They are small, responsive and seemingly dedicated to making great gear. It does seem, however, that they sometimes put out stuff before it's "final engineered." Still, I'm totally sold on the iamp600 for small gigs with the Bergantino HT112. Pure heaven!
     
  6. Jul 17, 2003 #6
    DenverKen

    DenverKen

    Dec 20, 2001
    Mile High City
    Good question, what makes an amp sound hi-fi? For me, it's a richness of tone that "normal" amps cannot produce. A sound that is very much like the sound of your bass without any coloration, but just BIGGER and richer. I suppose there is a certain amount of subjectivity involved. Not to mention presonal preference, eh? :D

    But you also asked what's so great about hi-fi amps? Well, therein lies the rub. In a loud rock band I'd prefer an SVT over damned near anything, hi or lo fi, if they weren't so heavy (hey, I have a herniated disc.) But in a band where the bass has a chance to be heard and stand out more, fidelity is noticable.

    Denver Ken
    ----------

    I sold that Ken Smith in my picture to pay the IRS. That's just wrong, man.
     
  7. Jul 18, 2003 #7
    Chris Fitzgerald

    Chris Fitzgerald Student of Life Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 19, 2000
    Louisville, KY
    My iamp800 blows the doors off of every amp I've ever played for what I'm doing. It's got plenty of headroom, versatile tone controls, and can get the most SOLID tone you've ever heard if you want it. In a small black rack case, it also looks impressive...so much so that mine has earned the nickname "the mothership" among several different people I play with. :D
     
  8. Jul 18, 2003 #8
    basss

    basss Supporting Member

    Aug 27, 2001
    NY
    What does the DI sound like on these amps? Anyone use theirs for recording?
     
  9. Jul 18, 2003 #9
    Chris Fitzgerald

    Chris Fitzgerald Student of Life Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 19, 2000
    Louisville, KY
    I've not recorded with it, since I have a Raven Labs PMB-1 for that (which is a lot easier to transport to the studio for blending a signal with a mic for DB). However, the DI on the iamp sounds great, and sports a seperate volume control from the rest of the amp. This means you can change your onstage settings without affecting your DI settings, which is a VERY nice feature. It also means that you can change the DI output if you feel the soundman has it set incorrectly...I did this recently at a jazz concert where I felt the soundman had made the previous bassist sound way too loud and boomy during his set. All in all, it's a great DI.
     
  10. Jul 18, 2003 #10
    basss

    basss Supporting Member

    Aug 27, 2001
    NY
    HA HA HA
    ha ha he he hu h hmmm *cough*
    yeah my screen name sucks
     
  11. Jul 18, 2003 #11
    Chris Fitzgerald

    Chris Fitzgerald Student of Life Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 19, 2000
    Louisville, KY

    So does mine, but I'm kinda stuck with it... :)
     
  12. Jul 20, 2003 #12
    gfab333

    gfab333

    Mar 22, 2000
    Honolulu, Hawaii
    I'd like to also compliment EA on their customer service. I bought an 800 back in March 2003 and have been a happy customer ever since. I had the need for some tech support after I first started using the amp, and Gary at EA was particularly responsive and helpful.:bassist: :hyper: