Help me decide on a new Class D head please.

[svtb15]

Im digging my Genzler magellan 800.. much more deliberate umpph than earlier class D amps.. I think the magellan and mesa use the same Class D module.. Both great amps.
The Magellan 800 may be the easiest and most simple amp to get a sound quickly..

I have also own the peavey minimega which is a beast too

 

[Spirit of Ox]

Of the previously named heads, I really like the Mesa D800. But I use TC Electronics. I know TC is out of vogue ever since that APM fiasco, but their newest BH550 and BH800 don't have that problem, and are simply wonderful. Nobody is talking about them, though, but try to find a single person who bought one and hates it. And you can probably find a BH800 for less than $400.

I have no experience with TC electronics but I did see one of my favorite bassists, Mike Watt has been using them lately and I always trust his taste in gear.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

... (love Hartke and currently use an HA3500)...

I'd personally say that's "case closed", but the runner up would probably be the Ampeg. If you were open to things not listed, the GK MB500 is a fantastic amp, fully disclosing myself as a GK fanboy though.

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

I hovered over the Hartke for a moment, as I'm a big fan of their hardware... but I clicked Fender Rumble 500 in the end because I have experience with that very amp and it's a beast. I might get one one day when I piece my band together again from the flakey pieces.

 

[Sav'nBass]

I can second the Magellan.... It is a great head. Very versatile plus it will work with mixed ohm cabs. Simple to use with everything from a modern time to dirt..... There are taking the classifieds right now going for a great price. In my opinion better than anything on your list.

 

[mikeyjm2]

I would agree with a few folks above that it might be worth a little extra $ and a small wait to get a Mesa D-800. I picked mine up used on here a while back and still in love with it. The evil GAS is making me look at the D-800+ but I'm going to hold steady with what I have for a while.

 

[MyMusic]

The Genzler is an excellent offering also. The thing that made me pick the Mesa was the simplicity of the controls and the 2 ohm capability for cabs. My two main cabs are each 4 ohms.

 

[jumbodbassman]

i also hate when people add other choices but check out the Aguilar tone hammer 500.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

I'm perfectly fine with other suggestions that aren't on my top 5.
Here's my other list of 3 that I would wait for when I get the funds. If I didn't have to replace the suspension on my car I would go for them right away.
1. Mesa D800
2. Aguilar TH500
3. Genz Magellan

 

[seang15]

Carrots?

Of this grouping, I went with the Carvin. Ridiculous value, as is always the case with Carvin products.

 

[bassinflorida]

Gallien-Krueger MB500 500-Watt Ultra Light Micro Bass Head

 

[gazzatriumph]

TC Electronics RH 750 is a great head not sure what a second hand one would sell for

 

[Cuzzie]

Not to dampen GAS but if so happy with the current Hartke amp, why the need to change?
Is it portability that's required or just itchy feet and money burning a hole?!

If it's time change...
What speaker cab do you have, can this be changed and can you alter strings, pick ups, pedals etc?

Good thing about a Hartke is it does not really colour your sound so you can modulate as you wish.
I have an LH1000 and was thinking about flipping it, but changed my cab and it's made m love the power and I use other things to alter the sound

 

[Ewo]

Kinda makes your head spin, getting all this advice, eh?

My .02:

Like you, I play in a loud rock band. You need enough speaker, of course. As for the head, pick up a used Mesa D-800; it's muscular, versatile, and can run a 2 ohm load. Second choice would be a used GK MB fusion 800, if you're OK with a slightly scooped native voice that tends to be biting at the top end. You'll need to ask if the GK has had the fan control modification; they can be a bit noisy without it.

 

[Djadja]

The Quilter looks interesting and I've never seen one before. It's features seem very limited but a preamp/eq could give you some more tone shaping options.

the EQ controls do look both unusual and limited(ing) but the reviews all seem to say that it gets it done and sounds great.

I didn't mention the Genzler or the Mesa because they seemed out of your budget. My list would include the Genzler, the Quilter, and maybe the Darkglass. I'm very happy with my Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 even though it is an earlier generation of class D amp. Indeed, I really don't have any GAS for a new head at all. I would recommend adding the 9.0 or 9.2 to your list as well. On the used market, they easily fit your budget. While the company is gone, @agedhorse still services them and they are very reliable.

I don't know that the Mesa is the favorite but it certainly is highly thought of. There are scores of great choices... the Peaveys were mentioned as well. Then there are some higher priced heads like the Trickfish and Bergantino and a few smaller companies that are also pretty cool.

 

[mmbongo]

Kinda makes your head spin, getting all this advice, eh?

I can simplify it!

Basically, there's no reason to choose any amp in that list over the Mesa. None of them do anything better than the Mesa. Every amp listed there is a good starter amp that you will later upgrade to something at the level of the Mesa, so why not just get the Mesa and be done?

 

[Robert Sperling]

I play a Carvin B2000 and have no complaints concerning tone or headroom...FWIW

 

[lermgalieu]

Buy them all!

 

[Howard Southwell]

Mesa D-800 I have one

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

You needed to add "other".

If you are a rock and roll guy, there is no class D head that packs more value than a Aguilar tonehammer 500.