Genzler Amplification ! New Genz Benz ?

[svtb15]

The OD channel on the Magellan is smoother than the shuttle .As you know , on the shuttle you have to gain up the TUBE channel to get OD.. .The Magellan has a channel dedicated to OD.. And it is tailored for that task specifically..
The shuttle when driven to OD could get a little farty.. But the Magellan I believe has a HP filter set to a different slope than the Clean channel is set, so the deeper lows won't pass thru and cause that farty sound ., I guess you could use EQ to get that farty sound.. . I believe the OD channel may also have slight LPF too. making for a pretty creamy sounding OD..
I likened it to my Dark Glass vintage micro tube pedal in sort of a way. But not really . I didnt have enough time to use it fully...
But the OD is not at all like a shuttle when driven hard. TO my ears it is much smoother overall.

Obviously, we would all love some clips of the new functions. If it wasn't for the low mid bump contour, I wouldn't have been interested but, with that covered, the mid band can be used for other things like an 800Hz or 3kHz boost. If the od is better than what the shuttle has, this amp is just a no brainer.

 

[kringle77]

Well, I guess that I'll be trying one. I've got a dog vertical sealed 410 just begging for a skinny partner.

 

[husky123]

Jeff or SVT,

Would either of you care to explain how the drive channel works? Meaning, does it blend the driven tone with a "clean" tone for no loss of low end or does it just add grit to the entire signal? Can it do soft purr/clip to full blown oversaturated distortion/fuzz?

 

[Jim C]

Kirk,
In a previous post you mentioned that the notes in the upper registers maintained a strong character and didn’t loose some of the low end beef after the initial attack.
Do you find the Magellan to be closer to the tonality of a lead sled amp vs. some of the earlier class D amps?

I may be in the minority, but never found that the “weight” of a note (not to be confused with tone), was as desirable on previous amps like LMII, Tone Hammer, and to a lesser degree my beloved SM9.2 and MB800.
Perhaps this is due to the slope and frequency of the HPF?

At one point I thought this whole thing of class D vs. big heavy amps was just psychosomatic.
Listening to playbacks of rehearsals convinced me that there really is merit that there is a difference.
Lastly, there have been a zillion posts that argue that there is no difference between Class D vs. A/B vs. old discrete electronics, vs an SVT, etc., and, that the scope doesn’t lie and the new amps sound exactly the same or better.
While 90% of my gigs are with the SM 9.2 or the MB800, the choice is made exclusively on the schlep factor.
I just can’t justify walking blocks with a 75lb rack (or amp) to play a $100 gig when the little amps sound pretty good (but not best).

OTOH, this is America where we demand that easy and great to be in the same box!

 

[mbelue]

Kirk,
In a previous post you mentioned that the notes in the upper registers maintained a strong character and didn’t loose some of the low end beef after the initial attack.
Do you find the Magellan to be closer to the tonality of a lead sled amp vs. some of the earlier class D amps?

I may be in the minority, but never found that the “weight” of a note (not to be confused with tone), was as desirable on previous amps like LMII, Tone Hammer, and to a lesser degree my beloved SM9.2 and MB800.
Perhaps this is due to the slope and frequency of the HPF?

At one point I thought this whole thing of class D vs. big heavy amps was just psychosomatic.
Listening to playbacks of rehearsals convinced me that there really is merit that there is a difference.
Lastly, there have been a zillion posts that argue that there is no difference between Class D vs. A/B vs. old discrete electronics, vs an SVT, etc., and, that the scope doesn’t lie and the new amps sound exactly the same or better.
While 90% of my gigs are with the SM 9.2 or the MB800, the choice is made exclusively on the schlep factor.
I just can’t justify walking blocks with a 75lb rack (or amp) to play a $100 gig when the little amps sound pretty good (but not best).

OTOH, this is America where we demand that easy and great to be in the same box!

All of those amps have different preamps, eq sections, and manufacturers.
Why do you settle on poweramp topology as being the cause of your dissatisfaction?
What lead sled did you like?
There could be other factors involved, you have allot of variables in everything you listed.

 

[Jim C]

All of those amps have different preamps, eq sections, and manufacturers.
Why do you settle on poweramp topology as being the cause of your dissatisfaction?
What lead sled did you like?
There could be other factors involved, you have allot of variables in everything you listed.

Never assumed it was power amp topology; just know what I like.
The majority of testing was down with an Ampeg SVP tube preamp with big (1,500 watts and up into 4 ohms) power amps by Crown, QSC, and Ampeg; I’m certain I would not be able to tell these power amps apart in a blind test.

Should I assume that you like Class D amps more in general way or do you have a distinct opinion on what you like?

 

[Jeff Genzler]

Exactly what I wanted to know.

Jeff,
Is there a bag for the Magellan?

Yes there will be a good quality bag available.

 

[mbelue]

Never assumed it was power amp topology; just know what I like.
The majority of testing was down with an Ampeg SVP tube preamp with big (1,500 watts and up into 4 ohms) power amps by Crown, QSC, and Ampeg; I’m certain I would not be able to tell these power amps apart in a blind test.

Should I assume that you like Class D amps more in general way or do you have a distinct opinion on what you like?

I've noticed that a few times with different preamps into the same poweramp.
I notice it in my QSC run mono vs. bridged.
I noticed it when i was using a compressor wrong.
I noticed it after driving my black widows too hard.

I guess what I'm saying is kind of an esoteric "feel" thing that works in some circumstances and not in others. At least for me that's how it is.
Like you say "just know what I like."
Again speaking for myself I can't always say "why" it happens at first blush. I have to remove allot of variables.

I like lots of different things for lots of different reasons.

 

[tombowlus]

Is the contour control in the style of the VLE and VPF controls on a Markbass? It sounds like it has features inspired by the
LM3 and Tonehammer 500.

Contour A is along the lines of what Eden, SWR, GK and numerous other companies have done, which is either a mid cut, or a low/high boost, or some combination thereof. Contour B takes an opposite approach, and involves a mid boost.

 

[Dan Knowlton]

OH, NO! I thought I was done with Genz GAS!

I have never had/played one of Jeff's products that I did not like.

Dan

 

[svtb15]

I am leaving to go out of town for two weeks as i type.. So i have to go quickly. I apologize.
I used low output basses. Alleva KBP4 and my old jazz bass.. I did not get Full bore FUZZ.. With my basses the amp will produce a very smooth ..as you call it "PURR" and a bit more .... Higher output basses than what i played may be different..
As far as Blending goes.. I am NOT 100% certain.. But my thinking is that it is NOT a blend. But instead it has a dedicated channel with GAIN and VOL controls. Similar to the Streamliner or Shuttle configuration But it does not sound like either of its predecessors. . It is different with added filter network to achieve a smooth OD.
I would say it is more of an OD than it is Full Tilt fuzz.

Jeff or SVT,

Would either of you care to explain how the drive channel works? Meaning, does it blend the driven tone with a "clean" tone for no loss of low end or does it just add grit to the entire signal? Can it do soft purr/clip to full blown oversaturated distortion/fuzz?

 

[svtb15]

In my opinion... Everyone has one
I feel this has more ummmph than previous lightweight amps that i've had the opportunity to gig live.. TO me it is NOT an EQ thing.. It is a FEEL thing..
I didn't do a direct A/B to any other amp,, But what the magellan felt like in a mix was noticeable right out of the gate..
Again has nothing to do with Eq.. YOu can't EQ a feel that you get when you lean on an amp.. IMO.. Like great guitar players that use one type amp for years. They KNow it inside and out. Then they get a rental or some other kind brand like an AC30 instead of a Plexi etc. .. SURE they can gig the new amp. But it may not respond the same way as something they are used to or have used for years

The question.. It is like a Lead Sled??? Let's say , that it is Much closer than previous renditions in my opinion.. In a living room or at home they all sound good and the same to me.. And with tone controls set at 12 o'clock high, it is noticeable the second i played it on my loud gig..
I have a loud gig today and i am going to miss the amp..

Kirk,
In a previous post you mentioned that the notes in the upper registers maintained a strong character and didn’t loose some of the low end beef after the initial attack.
Do you find the Magellan to be closer to the tonality of a lead sled amp vs. some of the earlier class D amps?

I may be in the minority, but never found that the “weight” of a note (not to be confused with tone), was as desirable on previous amps like LMII, Tone Hammer, and to a lesser degree my beloved SM9.2 and MB800.
Perhaps this is due to the slope and frequency of the HPF?

At one point I thought this whole thing of class D vs. big heavy amps was just psychosomatic.
Listening to playbacks of rehearsals convinced me that there really is merit that there is a difference.
Lastly, there have been a zillion posts that argue that there is no difference between Class D vs. A/B vs. old discrete electronics, vs an SVT, etc., and, that the scope doesn’t lie and the new amps sound exactly the same or better.
While 90% of my gigs are with the SM 9.2 or the MB800, the choice is made exclusively on the schlep factor.
I just can’t justify walking blocks with a 75lb rack (or amp) to play a $100 gig when the little amps sound pretty good (but not best).

OTOH, this is America where we demand that easy and great to be in the same box!

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

OH, NO! I thought I was done with Genz GAS!

I have never had/played one of Jeff's products that I did not like.

Dan

+1000 on all counts!

 

[Jeff Genzler]

I am leaving to go out of town for two weeks as i type.. So i have to go quickly. I apologize.
I used low output basses. Alleva KBP4 and my old jazz bass.. I did not get Full bore FUZZ.. With my basses the amp will produce a very smooth ..as you call it "PURR" and a bit more .... Higher output basses than what i played may be different..
As far as Blending goes.. I am NOT 100% certain.. But my thinking is that it is NOT a blend. But instead it has a dedicated channel with GAIN and VOL controls. Similar to the Streamliner or Shuttle configuration But it does not sound like either of its predecessors. . It is different with added filter network to achieve a smooth OD.
I would say it is more of an OD than it is Full Tilt fuzz.

Husky 123----to add to Kirks experience the Drive channel is voiced diffently than the Clean. The Drive starts with a higher HPF and a tappered top end. As you increase the Gain setting the HP rises on order to counter the "farty" characteristic.
The amount of purr to overdrive to possible distortion is dependent upon the Pad sw being out and the amount of output your bass puts out.
All of this is easily adjustable by the Drive channel gain setting.

I hope this helps your understanding of this channel. BTW the channels are foot switchable.

Jeff

 

[dukeorock]

Without hearing it yet, if I had to choose a lightweight amp to play Id put my money on Jeffs new line. Can't wait to try one out! As a former Genz endorser, when I got my first Genz rig, the total weight of my touring rig went down by over half and I got a better sounding rig in the process. These past ten years have been amazing. Back then my touring rig (upright bass in a case, electric bass, cab and cables) weighed over 500lbs. These days that same setup weighs around 100lbs and sounds way better to me. Can't thank you enough, Jeff!

 

[Red Planet]

So Jeff, On the Magellan is there actually more power being applied to the note after the enitial attack than previous GB micro heads from the power amp module?

 

[El Spearo]

Husky 123----to add to Kirks experience the Drive channel is voiced diffently than the Clean. The Drive starts with a higher HPF and a tappered top end. As you increase the Gain setting the HP rises on order to counter the "farty" characteristic.
The amount of purr to overdrive to possible distortion is dependent upon the Pad sw being out and the amount of output your bass puts out.
All of this is easily adjustable by the Drive channel gain setting.

I hope this helps your understanding of this channel. BTW the channels are foot switchable.

Jeff

Is the footswitch included with the amp, or does it have to be purchased separately?

 

[andertone]

subscribed

 

[svtb15]

I did a gig today with my other amp. I did miss the magellans girth.. No doubt there is a difference..

 

[bebass]

So Jeff, On the Magellan is there actually more power being applied to the note after the enitial attack than previous GB micro heads from the power amp module?

I did a gig today with my other amp. I did miss the magellans girth.. No doubt there is a difference..

Red Planet,
I think you are speaking of this "girth" that svtb15 speaks of. His experience mirrors, in general, what I have read of the newer output modules; that the lower end notes are held - better than the previous modules, without compression or premature fading.