GenzBenz Streamliner Pt 8...

[Red Planet]

So using the Streamliner DI on PRE EQ is identical to using a Radial JDI before the signal even hits the amp? Sorry for all the related questions. I want to understand exactly what's happening for recording and PA.

Of the DI's signal, the manual (p.4) says "This signal comes directly from the Tube buffered input stage to the Direct Output." My interpretation is this signal will sound tubey, while the Radial JDI signal will have no tube as it comes directly from the bass.

I believe that is correct but the tube sound will not be pronounced since the signal will be coming off of only one tube gain stage. It's not like the signal will have that whole tubey character of the Streamliner. It will just be a really good sounding signal.

 

[KJung]

So using the Streamliner DI on PRE EQ is identical to using a Radial JDI before the signal even hits the amp? Sorry for all the related questions. I want to understand exactly what's happening for recording and PA.

Conceptually, yes. But not exactly, since the JDI is a passive/transformer design, and the Genz (like most amp DI's) is an active DI. So, it is a buffered signal, not a 'passive' one.

However, it will still be 'clean and relatively untouched', like using a high quality DI like a Countryman or whatever.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

So using the Streamliner DI on PRE EQ is identical to using a Radial JDI before the signal even hits the amp?

Of the DI's signal, the manual (p.4) says "This signal comes directly from the Tube buffered input stage to the Direct Output." My interpretation is this signal will sound tubey, while the Radial JDI signal will have no tube as it comes directly from the bass.

Both DI's are highly regarded, but each has its own colour.

The JDI has an expensive Jensen transformer, which has about as close to perfect response as any single component you can get. The JDI is extremely quiet, has an extended frequency response, and sounds very transparent with active basses. However, due to the low input impedance (only 10K), it loads passive basses down unless you put a pedal in front of it. Depending on taste, you may hear that as "round", "warm", or "muffled".

12AX7A's were rated at 5% harmonic distortion on old data sheets, so you know that the Streamliner's tube DI output has to be adding some harmonic colour, hopefully in a good way. Like the JDI, it's extremely quiet, and the higher input impedance of the Streamliner means that it will work equally well with active or passive basses.

 

[agedhorse]

12AX7A THD was more a function of the circuit than the tube. I once designed a 12AX7 op-amp with all tube diff pair, VAS and output stage. IIRC, the THD at mid signal level with ~20dB of gain was in the 0.05% range. Maybe it was even lower but really don't remember.

It depends so much on plate load, bias stabilization, cathode feedback and other parameters that I don't think it's really possible to generalize without knowing a lot more.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

12AX7A THD was more a function of the circuit than the tube.

...It depends so much on plate load, bias stabilization, cathode feedback and other parameters that I don't think it's really possible to generalize...

Are you just talking hypothetically, or can I infer from your comment that with a typical active bass (and no major boosting from onboard EQ), the Streamliner's DI output is below 1% THD?

Either way, I didn't realize there was that much more performance available, compared to the crude Fender amp designs that I'm familiar with. I've gotta start digging into those tube textbooks, and looking at old Macintosh schematics!

 

[Tunaman]

The Streamliners DI is DEAD silent and MUCH more clean\clear than what you here from the amp pre-EQ.
I compared the DI from the GB to my Eden & Tech21 pedals
The GB & Tech21 were dead quiet, clear (You could never tell them apart)
I also compared the Shuttlemax vs the Streamliner DI, same exact signal boss.

 

[Musicman20]

Ive just took delivery of an American Standard Fender Jazz, after selling my 2009 to get a rosewood board version (never quite got on with maple boards on a Jazz for soem reason).

OT - Its a beautiful 3TS/Tort/Rosewood, and so far im very impressed with the QC.

Ok, so Ive not had a Jazz since I took delivery of the Streamliner.

First thing I did was fire up the S900 with an RS210, with the Jazz. Ive been playing EBMM Rays through it mainly, so the gain needed some playing with obviously.

I think it sounded great. I had the lows dropped a little, mids at 600 bumped to 1:30-2:00, and treble about noon.

Great tone. That's without the mids boosted much. The front pup in particular sounded warm, woody and full. Very articulate.

Im super impressed with these American Standard pups.

So, as much as the P and Ray are my 'home', the J sounded very nice indeed.

Ive found a S/H Neo X 212T with the new vinyl covering (so it cant be that old). Its a great price, im waiting for pics....anyone tried the Streamliner with the Neo X 212T?

 

[bassman2001]

quick question on the Streamliner 900 head. I just got it last week and I noticed that the tube on the far left glows a vibrant orange color (signifying the tube is working)...the other 2 tubes on the right don't appear to be orange at all. Anyone else notice this? Head still plays fine btw

 

[agedhorse]

Are you just talking hypothetically, or can I infer from your comment that with a typical active bass (and no major boosting from onboard EQ), the Streamliner's DI output is below 1% THD?

Either way, I didn't realize there was that much more performance available, compared to the crude Fender amp designs that I'm familiar with. I've gotta start digging into those tube textbooks, and looking at old Macintosh schematics!

Probably less than 1% until driven hard in PRE position. If you are looking for more tube enhancement then the POST position and appropriate eq might be a better choice BUT what translates good on stage may not translate well at FOH in a big PA with lots of subs. There would need to be some give and take IMO when using POST, but it's not all that difficult to work with a (good) sound guy when you are both looking for a reasonable, workable sound at FOH.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Probably less than 1% until driven hard in PRE position. If you are looking for more tube enhancement then the POST position and appropriate eq might be a better choice BUT what translates good on stage may not translate well at FOH in a big PA with lots of subs. There would need to be some give and take IMO when using POST, but it's not all that difficult to work with a (good) sound guy when you are both looking for a reasonable, workable sound at FOH.

Seems like there would be little to quibble about if you're running it POST and all the EQ knobs are pointing up between 11:00 and 1:00.

 

[svtb15]

Maybe it is the positioning of the Blue LEDs that are visually muting the Redish Glow. I would suspect that if the tubes were not glowing at all. you would have no control over your bass, treb or Mid controls...

quick question on the Streamliner 900 head. I just got it last week and I noticed that the tube on the far left glows a vibrant orange color (signifying the tube is working)...the other 2 tubes on the right don't appear to be orange at all. Anyone else notice this? Head still plays fine btw

 

[bassman2001]

You're probably right. It sounds perfectly fine so there must not be anything "wrong"

Maybe it is the positioning of the Blue LEDs that are visually muting the Redish Glow. I would suspect that if the tubes were not glowing at all. you would have no control over your bass, treb or Mid controls...

 

[noahw1]

quick question on the Streamliner 900 head. I just got it last week and I noticed that the tube on the far left glows a vibrant orange color (signifying the tube is working)...the other 2 tubes on the right don't appear to be orange at all. Anyone else notice this? Head still plays fine btw

I have the same thing happening but have had mostly no problems. About a week after I got the amp and the day after my first gig with it I was having a pretty bad buzzing, which after emailing Agedhorse and talking with the folks in the shop at Genz they diagnosed as probably being the tube in the 3rd position BUT it went away and I've had no problems ever since.
Like you said the head plays fine so I'm going with it.

 

[bassman2001]

I have the same thing happening but have had mostly no problems. About a week after I got the amp and the day after my first gig with it I was having a pretty bad buzzing, which after emailing Agedhorse and talking with the folks in the shop at Genz they diagnosed as probably being the tube in the 3rd position BUT it went away and I've had no problems ever since.
Like you said the head plays fine so I'm going with it.

I have a VERY bad buzzing too. But I believe its my bass (Dingwall Super J). Any amp I plug it into it will buzz like crazy, especially when the treble is cranked and the second I put my fingers on the strings, cable, or even the Streamliner it will silence. So messed up...Now since I got my new dream amp, I want to address this problem and get my bass fixed. Buzz is only present when the "active" switch is enabled. Passive is fine, and the batteries are frequently replaced. Something I've learned to live with but I realized last night when playing my Genz that I don't deserve this! lol.

 

[Dave W]

I have a VERY bad buzzing too. But I believe its my bass (Dingwall Super J). Any amp I plug it into it will buzz like crazy, especially when the treble is cranked and the second I put my fingers on the strings, cable, or even the Streamliner it will silence. So messed up...Now since I got my new dream amp, I want to address this problem and get my bass fixed. Buzz is only present when the "active" switch is enabled. Passive is fine, and the batteries are frequently replaced. Something I've learned to live with but I realized last night when playing my Genz that I don't deserve this! lol.

Sounds like the buzzing with the bass may be a combination of things that doesn't have much to do with the amp.

When you say the treble is cranked, do you literally mean that it's cranked all the way up on the bass? If that's the case, turn it down! It also sounds like it could be a grounding issue, and both the treble being cranked and a possibly bad ground may be compounding the problem...

 

[steve_rolfeca]

quick question on the Streamliner 900 head. I just got it last week and I noticed that the tube on the far left glows a vibrant orange color (signifying the tube is working)...the other 2 tubes on the right don't appear to be orange at all.

Actually, all the orange glow tells you, is that you've got a clear line of sight to the heater filament. Depending on the length of the plates and the internal structure of the tube, you may or not be able to see the heater at work. Some brands of tubes barely light up at all, viewed from outside.

V1 is a different model from the tubes in V2 and V3, thus the difference in outward appearance...

 

[LarryR]

Quick question re: tube swap.
IIRC, it's ok to swap Preamp tubes with the power on. Being ultra-careful not to touch anything that should'nt be touched. Yes??

 

[guy n. cognito]

I have nothing serious to add to this thread today, other than the Spector=>Streamliner 900=> LDS 15/6 combination sounds FANTASTIC!!!!!.......with that damn tweeter rolled completely off, of course.

 

[Tunaman]

Played around with the Streamliner GK NEO 115 stack & Bongo HHp 5 today

I'm finding I like to boost the mids at 2.5K vs cut the 220 hz mids for more hi-fi punch. Its also MUCH louder. I find the 600K mids & the GK NEOs are wild. I think the GKs have a huge hump around 600K so if you boost there they are REALLY present & then cutting almost neuters the cab.

Since I run pre-EQ to the board I like to send a certain EQ scheme from the Bongo I know sounds good... so when I"m at the gig my backline controls are ONLY the amp. The Streamliner is versatile enough to get a great tube tone & a good hi-fi tone. Sure I would like Shuttlemax 9.2 controls with this amps voicing but then again I'm not fiddling with knobs all night long on stage right?

When I combine the Bongo 4 band EQ & the Streamliner its extremely versatile & I'm very happy with it. Glad I paired it with some hi-fi cabs like the GK NEOs as well, thats crucial for those that think this amp is too muddy.

 

[Dave W]

Count me in! I just ordered myself a Streamliner 900. I should have it early next week.

I needed a portable, light, vintagey/tubey/modernish gigging machine! From everything I've read and watched about the Streamliner it seems like it'll fit the bill perfectly.