BTW Nicolay Musicman never made an all Tube head that I can think of. The Musicman heads had a Solid State Preamp with an all tube Poweramp section. Something like that.
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Genz Benz Streamliner Pt 7.....
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BTW Nicolay Musicman never made an all Tube head that I can think of. The Musicman heads had a Solid State Preamp with an all tube Poweramp section. Something like that.
funny world...I hated my SA 450 for the same reasons that appeal malpasso...eh eh. Good, variety is more interesting that homologation! 
Many things have happened since I last chimed in!
Got my SL-900 4 days ago. Absolutely all imput from users in this thread proved to be truthful and reliable. It's the closest thing to my -veeery limited- experience in all tube amps. Absolutely warm sound, dead right intor soul, blues, old school rock sound. No wonder that SVT or b15 users are turning to this thing...
...But...the problem was me: i came to realise once again that I'm a ss amp king of guy. It's given me the chance to appreciate all the goodness in my Markbass sa-450 amp. In terms of clarity, transparency and definition I cannot do without 70% of my playing time.
As a conclusion: I'll stick to my Markbass to cope for that 70% of fast response, ss warm cleanness and slap sound. For the remaining 30%, I have already ordered a DHA VT1-EQ bass drive pedal that won't nail the alltube amp sound, but will take me somewhere near...whereas i could not take the Streamliner to sound as i want for most of my playing needs.
My SL-900 is on ebay now.
Thanks to everybody for their helpfulness, wisdom and info on a truly outstanding amd that does what it promises.
funny world...I hated my SA 450 for the same reasons that appeal malpasso...eh eh. Good, variety is more interesting that homologation!
When I listened to both Ed Friedland's and Kjung videos on the Streamliner, I really wanted to think that I could get really clean, clear, fast, transparent at lower gain levels. Let's call it Hi-fi from now on.
In my real experience after trying the head both in solo and band contexts, the SL900 shone when confronted with tubey demands...but I could not get as hi-fi as I intended when needed.
In my opinion, it comes down to this:
Try to sound "tubey" from an ss amp + tube gadget, preamp or overdrive pedal = you'll achieve it in an 8/10 ratio-
Try to sound Hi-fi from an all-tube amp = don't know the way.
Try to sound Hi-fi from an Streamliner = could not get further than 6 on the same scale.
I know I'm talking in terms of gross simplification.
My conclusion (not trying to impose it on top of anyone's different opinion): I'd rather stick to 10 for hi-fi and 8 for tubey, than 6 for Hi-fi- and 10 for tubey. (18 beats 16) To round up things, remember I stated that my needs were 70% Hi-fi, 30%tubey.
You are right. My musicman HD150 did have a solid state pre amp section. I bought that amp in a pawn shop when I was 17, so 13 years ago. I don't know why I always thought that amp was all tube. I only had it for a year and then I went to guitar center and traded it in for an eden nemesis combo.
On another note, I gigged my STL900 and bergie ht322 outdoors at a private party last night with only one bass my Kubicki Factor. This amp kills outdoors! The Bass was Tight and warm, the mids were abundant and the highs were crisp with a fantastic place in the mix. I DI'd out to a mixer and went up against two half stack guitar amps and I shined. I also slap on a few songs, and the tone was just oozing with punch. I still want to cop a shuttle, but now I know that this amp is staying right here with me for bit longer, the more I play the STL the more I love it.
I've just been a/b ing my SL900, RH750, RS210 and RS212. The problem? I like both cabs. The tweeter/high end is sweet and only gets a little bit hissy when it's ramped right up.
The other problem is, I like the RH750s sheer low mid grunt, and that sorta baked in sound. Its going nowhere.
I also like SL900, and I think at about 10 bass, 1-2 mids, it's 'flatter'.
That 600hz ramped right up has a lovely burpy thump that works very well with my Musicmans.,
I used to be mainly a P bass player but the Musicman basses suit me really well.
Now I dont know whether to sell the RS212, get a LM3, or return the SL900 for a LM3 plus cash and get a MB NY122.
Hmm.
The other problem is, I like the RH750s sheer low mid grunt, and that sorta baked in sound. Its going nowhere.
I also like SL900, and I think at about 10 bass, 1-2 mids, it's 'flatter'.
That 600hz ramped right up has a lovely burpy thump that works very well with my Musicmans.,
I used to be mainly a P bass player but the Musicman basses suit me really well.
Now I dont know whether to sell the RS212, get a LM3, or return the SL900 for a LM3 plus cash and get a MB NY122.
Hmm.
I'm going to ask a question what some may think is "stupid", but do the SL600 and SL900 sound the same or slightly different? Aside from volume level if both amps are set the same do they sound identical? Sometimes pushing an amp can make a difference?
Thanks
Thanks
svtb15
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- Mar 22, 2004
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
It is my understanding that they both sound the same.. Same preamp, same 3DPM etc.... Only the SL 900 has more headroom with its extra 300 watts.
I find the Streamliner makes my P bass collect dust, I get that P bass like warmth with the Bongo & Sterling HH through the SL900 that I couldn't without it.
I find the recent string of comments about cabs and basses interesting.
I don't think of TC RS212 or Orange cabs as "mid forward". Yes, they're voiced a little differently than average, but I still wouldn't use them for full-range music playback on a dare. I'm more of a fEarful/Audiokinesis kind of guy. Maybe that's why the Streamliner is working so well for me.
On a related note, I'm not into passive basses. The bass in my sig is my favorite axe, and it's definitely in the modern, active camp. EMG 40P5's, no tone control, jumbo frets, carbon fiber inserts in the neck... Very tight, articulate, almost crispy. And I'm loving the way the SL takes the edge off it.
I don't think of TC RS212 or Orange cabs as "mid forward". Yes, they're voiced a little differently than average, but I still wouldn't use them for full-range music playback on a dare. I'm more of a fEarful/Audiokinesis kind of guy. Maybe that's why the Streamliner is working so well for me.
On a related note, I'm not into passive basses. The bass in my sig is my favorite axe, and it's definitely in the modern, active camp. EMG 40P5's, no tone control, jumbo frets, carbon fiber inserts in the neck... Very tight, articulate, almost crispy. And I'm loving the way the SL takes the edge off it.
I already sent an email to Jeff Genzler about it, but it is a weekend, so I would like to know if anyone had this issue too.
My STM-900 is presenting a lot of hiss (or pink noise as some call it) when volumes are past 12 o clock, even when the mute switch on or through headphones.
I saw a thread about a similar problem with the ShuttleMax, but my Shuttle 9.0 does not get that hiss, only if you crank up the treble you get some.
Did anyone have the same issue with the Streamliner?
My STM-900 is presenting a lot of hiss (or pink noise as some call it) when volumes are past 12 o clock, even when the mute switch on or through headphones.
I saw a thread about a similar problem with the ShuttleMax, but my Shuttle 9.0 does not get that hiss, only if you crank up the treble you get some.
Did anyone have the same issue with the Streamliner?
I had it but it was a shielding issue with my bass. I moved the laptop & the battery further away & it was better
- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
The mute switch is at the very front of the amp, any noise generated within the amp itself would not be attenuated with the mute switch.
It's possible that you have a noisy tube, does the noise go away when you turn down the volume or master volume? Do you by chance have the tweeter turned all the way up on your cabinet (which will make the noise sound even louder relative to the rest of the spectrum since some tweeters can be 10dB above the rest of the bass spectrum in balance with the attenuator all the way up).
agedhorse said:
Thanks Aged Horse,
If I keep the volumes below 12 o'clock, yes, the noise is bearable. With the volumes up, the noise is there even without a bass plugged in.
I thought about the cab, so I unplugged it and checked it through headphones, same thing.
After your suggestion, I tested it with the tweeter level all the way down. It cuts down the noise alright but there goes my treble tone too.
Thanks!
I agree no problem.
Where both Streamliner 900 and the Shuttle 9.0 get a real big advantage is into a small 8 ohm cab. This allows for using one tiny cab but still being able to get what you are out of a 4 ohm cab.
There are a couple small 4 ohm cabs out there but it's my understanding they give up a little SPL's to do that plus some low end.
Not saying there is anything wrong with your 4 ohm rig but I doubt it's as small/loud as my 8 ohm rig.
I use an Empress Para EQ in the effect loop for detailed frequency sculpting. I find this gives me the flexibility to use the amp for something like an upright bass which needs more precise eq cuts and boosts and would otherwise be impossible for the Streamliner. I know that the Shuttlemax amp line would have features that are more in line with this task but I just LOVE the Streamliner preamp gain staging and the warmth it brings to the front end of your signal.
My 4 Ohm rig consists in a Berg ht112er+EX112er stack.
When I turn to 8 Ohms (just one Berg), it means I don't need so much volume.
Ok guys, you got me. Ive had a few more hours with this amp, and I really like it still. So, it stays and I source a LM3 as well. At least micro amps dont take up much space.
I dont think the mids are as bad as originally made out. At 1/2, they sound flat.
I agree, you can use the treble/mids to extremes and it still sounds good, which is a shock compared to say, my old Trace 400SMX.
I dont think the mids are as bad as originally made out. At 1/2, they sound flat.
I agree, you can use the treble/mids to extremes and it still sounds good, which is a shock compared to say, my old Trace 400SMX.
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