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Genz Benz - Official Streamliner Amp Thread -NEW !!

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#81
kraigo said:
I don't know that I agree, though. When I see a lot of knobs I pretty much assume that I'm going to have to tweak a lot of them in order to get a good tone. I want a pleasant/usable tone with everything set pretty much neutral. A lot of knobs turn me off in a big way. So do graphic EQ's, for that matter. Also, more bells and whistles generally suggest to me that when something's wrong it's going to take me longer to trouble shoot.

Not necessarily good biases to have, but they've been somewhat born out of experience. I'm a big fan of the KISS principle. My favorite knob on my old AMP BH-420, with its 15 knobs, is the "Timbre" knob, which lets me boost/cut highs while cutting/boosting lows in one fell swoop. It's the best thing ever when you're making quick changes while playing.

KO
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I think you do agree. Re-read my post. You stated exactly what I'm saying.
 
#82
KJung said:
To be clear, I am totally guessing at this point. However, I sure do like what I see so far, but I know nothing factually about this amp. I just love when an interesting new piece of gear comes out, and tend to try to 'guess' the design goal and the tone based on the limited specs we have. I have a pretty good hit rate, but surely not perfect:D

Genz is VERY good about never talking about a new piece of gear before it is ready for production. My guess is, this will take a while to get into the distribution channel (not their fault), but I would think this would be shipping soon (January/February... NAMM)
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Thanks as always for the assist Ken. Yes- our salesmen don't even know about this yet. I finished our internal training videos on it last week. The videos will go out to our reps the first week of December. From there, they have to get their dealers up to speed.

So as you say, it will take time to get all this through the channel.
 
#85
Tonal goals and options look very solid... LOVE to hear one once they're available. I have to say, however, that to the aesthetics and name choice strike me as a little "meh". Quite possibly a look meant to appeal to fans of a more vintage taste (I've always loved the look of my 1200 :D), which isn't really my thing.

Hey Roger - what's the story behind the name? Does it tie into the goal of "streamlining tube tone"?
 
#86
I didn't comment on the aesthetics of the amp but now that it's been brought up...I really don't care for them either. Kinda looks like an Airstream trailer from the 50's. :D This look doesn't work for something this small. The vintage look works for the Ampeg Heritage head. It full size and that look appears normal...of course, they're copying themselves, so whatever on that. Vintage look no workie for this little guy. Won't stop me from buying it though, assuming it's all it appears to be. What the amp looks like doesn't really matter; the tone, oomph and finesse are.
 
#87
mikeddd said:
I didn't comment on the aesthetics of the amp but now that it's been brought up...I really don't care for them either. Kinda looks like an Airstream trailer from the 50's. :D This look doesn't work for something this small. The vintage look works for the Ampeg Heritage head. It full size and that look appears normal...of course, they're copying themselves, so whatever on that. Vintage look no workie for this little guy. Won't stop me from buying it though, assuming it's all it appears to be. What the amp looks like doesn't really matter; the tone, oomph and finesse are.
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Hmm....well, we weren't going for vintage at all. I think when you see it in person and see the extruded, anodized aluminum and the contours, it will appear a lot more contemporary.

No worries though- In my line of work you have to be comfortable that aesthetics is a very personal thing and that what speaks to one, won't to another.

Edit: also, the blue, illuminated "tube window" add to a more modern look as well.
 
#89
hasbeen said:
Hmm....well, we weren't going for vintage at all. I think when you see it in person and see the extruded, anodized aluminum and the contours, it will appear a lot more contemporary.

No worries though- In my line of work you have to be comfortable that aesthetics is a very personal thing and that what speaks to one, won't to another.

Edit: also, the blue, illuminated "tube window" add to a more modern look as well.
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I love the look myself, and it actually does bring to mind that kind of 'modern 50's/early 60's sort of 'clean lines' vibe to me. I think this fits well with what it seems you are attempting with the voicing (the kind of 'lightweight version of an all tube amp vibe). And that lighted tube window also brings to mind a bit the look of those classic old B15's with the lighted plexiglass (or whatever it was) logo plate with exposed tubes.

Even the name (and especially the logo font/design) brings to mind some of the classic car models of that late 50's/early 60's era to me, along with, of course, the trains from that era.

Really nice IMO!
 
#91
time to design heads with skins. faceplates that let the knobs poke through. sounds dirty. but keeps them clean.

51CK34VFoGL.jpg
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#93
LOL.

Back in the Shuttle 9 Appreication Thread I asked half jokingly if the new amp would be all tubes.

I guess I wasn't that far off.

I love the 3 tube/6 stage preamp idea. A tube roller's delight. :)

I bought the Shuttle 6 and 9, and now it looks like I'm going to be buying the Streamliner too.

I might have preferred a sweepable mid with marks at the "choice" freqs rather than a switch but I'll see how it works out.

Oh yeah...I really like the design.
 
#94
KJung said:
Even the name (and especially the logo font/design) brings to mind some of the classic car models of that late 50's/early 60's era to me, along with, of course, the trains from that era.

Really nice IMO!
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You score high on situational awareness. Trains: that is actually where the name came from. I was watching TV. When I do this, I'm rarely engaged with the program. I'm usually thinking "creative" work related stuff.

...was trying to come up with a name for this amp. On the TV screen, this image comes up with some incredibly striking railroad engine. I wasn't thinking amp name anymore. I thought the lines were beautiful. I didn't know what they were called. So I googled "art deco train" in images. Up came "Streamliners".
 
#95
mikeddd said:
True; aesthetics are opinion-based. What matters to me might not to the next guy. It's all good. As long as this amp kicks butt and the price is right, it's on my short-short list. GB has already proven themselves to me. :)
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thanks for your support and continued interest.
 
#96
hasbeen said:
You score high on situational awareness. Trains: that is actually where the name came from. I was watching TV. When I do this, I'm rarely engaged with the program. I'm usually thinking "creative" work related stuff.

...was trying to come up with a name for this amp. On the TV screen, this image comes up with some incredibly striking railroad engine. I wasn't thinking amp name anymore. I thought the lines were beautiful. I didn't know what they were called. So I googled "art deco train" in images. Up came "Streamliners".
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Cool story!
 
#97
mikeddd said:
Aside from what's in this thread, no. 3-tube front end, D-class power section (same thing as SMPS?), 500w @ 8ohms, 900 @ 4. That's it for now.
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These are not the same thing, though my guess is the Streamliner uses both technologies. Class-D refers to the topography of the output section (the "amp"). Switch-mode power supply (SMPS) refers to the power supply section. They are very commonly used in conjunction with one another, but each technology can be used independent of the other.

Tom.
 
#98
Love to have something like this that can run a 2 ohm load. Or two 4 ohm loads. The shuttles are cool but don't really blow up my skirt.

I guess I'll just keep hanging onto my beloved GBE600.
 
#99
hasbeen said:
Edit: also, the blue, illuminated "tube window" add to a more modern look as well.
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FWIW, the idea of adding an LED (of any color) to illuminate a preamp tube is a big turn-off for me, personally. I love the natural glow of tubes, and I find a certain comfort in their natural glow. Whenever I see a manufacturer light them up artificially, I always think of kids hot-rodding their cars with various "go faster" bling which doesn't actually make them go any faster.

That's just my personal preference, though. Genz-Benz, EBS, and many others have made great gear with these "falsely" illuminated tubes. I'm just always looking for a way to turn those damn LEDs off... :ninja: :smug: :p
 
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