MB SD800 vs EAiAmp800

[Kirk P Brosius]

Hello all,

My question is: How do you compare amps of equal power?
I would like to do an unbiased comparson of these wonderful powerhouses but I'm not quite sure just how to go about it. Do I set all of the EQ's flat and "dime" the PRE and MAIN then regulate VOL on my bass? Do I "dime" the bass then regulate each amp's VOL to the same audible level?
Who's done it? What works?

My iAmp800 came back, today, after having the DI and AUX IN looked at.

My SD800 is a recent purchase, as a back-up, while I was waiting for the EA to come back.

I've used both on gigs and I have to say that I like the MarkBass a lot! The EA goes to 2ohms but the MB.......

I've posted a few gig impressions at "MarkBass SD800 is here"
on TB but I need some advice.

As always, thanks, Kirk

 

[Lia_G]

You can't really just set the amps 'flat', as each amp is going to have its own voicing, which can make one seem significantly louder than the other. FDeck has some free software that lets you determine exactly what settings on an amp are needed for truly flat response:
Invalid Link Removed (look for the real-time analyzer software).

He describes using it in his review of the GK backline 600 head, and what settings were necessary on that amp to produce flat response.

So ... to truly compare, I would use that software and dial both amps in as close to flat as possible to give a more even starting point. But that's just me.

Looking forward to this review, whatever approach you decide on!

Cheers

 

[el_Kabong]

You own both, you've gigged them both? Call me crazy, just keep the one you like.

 

[KJung]

+1... testing amps in the basement set flat is not very illuminating. Performance of each amp becomes pretty clear if you can get them each on a few gigs in the same rooms, which is what I try to do when comparing stuff (not particularly for review purposes, but just to see what will work for me).

In my experience, the SD800 is obviously lighter and smaller, and puts out significantly more useable volume and a punchier low end on gigs at 4ohms for my tone preference. I do need to roll back some of the upper mids with the SD800 with my basses and cabs, but when that is done, I find the amp quite balanced and crushingly loud. I always felt I wanted to bring in the low end of the iAmp800, but could never really find the right mix of eliminating deep low end and punching up lower mid with the iAmp tone circuit... it was always 'too much bottom' or 'not enough bottom' when shifting the shelving point of the bass control and cutting, and shifting the center point and Q of the low mid and boosting.

I also greatly prefer the variable filters versus the fixed 'deep, scoop, and bright' buttons on the iamp. When you put reliability and build quality in the mix (like myself and many others, it seems you too have used EA service and support), I overwhelmingly prefer the SD800 to the iAmp.

As always, just IMO and IME for my tone goals, etc. You may come out at a totally different place. I look forward to your impressions of both these amps!

 

[Matt Morgan]

I too am a former EA owner that now uses an MB SD800.
I find the SD800 to be superior in tone, easy of use, useable volume, weight, lack of "noise", etc.
I also find that althought EA offers great customer service for products that have problems or need to be "looked at", the best customer service is the customer service that you never need.

 

[emjazz]

The last two statements echo my feelings exactly....

 

[Turn Em Loose]

Hijack alert!

Anybody have experience with the GK 1001RBII vs. the MB SD800?

 

[Bjazzman]

I really wanted to like the iamp800 after hearing the basstasters clips. But when i tried it out in the store with different basses and cabs i found it way to complicated to use. It's nice that there are alot of options for tone but IMHO that takes away from the appeal.

I found that when i tried the SD800 in Guitar Center, i felt that this could defenitly be the amp for me if i were playing stadiums. But at that point you are usually using in ear mointors. It was all the things I like about the F1 but at earth shaking volumes.

 

[Kirk P Brosius]

Hello all,

Thanks for the quick respons. As usual, the advice from fellow TB'ers is great.

I figured that I'd hear from Ken and Matt.

My intent is to compare the two amps in a home studio setting as well as "on the job". I will try to get the gut level reactions of my audience and the critical viewpoint of my bandmates. I have gigged with both (more with the EA) and they have both performed very well. I like the EA's ability to simulate a two channel format by using the EQ Bypass switch but, recently, I find myself using this feature less. I've become more of a "set it and forget it" player focusing more on my place within the music rather than a knob-twister.

We'll see what developes.

Later, Kirk

 

[KJung]

Hello all,

Thanks for the quick respons. As usual, the advice from fellow TB'ers is great.

I figured that I'd hear from Ken and Matt.

My intent is to compare the two amps in a home studio setting as well as "on the job". I will try to get the gut level reactions of my audience and the critical viewpoint of my bandmates. I have gigged with both (more with the EA) and they have both performed very well. I like the EA's ability to simulate a two channel format by using the EQ Bypass switch but, recently, I find myself using this feature less. I've become more of a "set it and forget it" player focusing more on my place within the music rather than a knob-twister.

We'll see what developes.

Later, Kirk

Cool! It's really an eye opener when you are able to regularly gig with a couple of different amps. I feel lucky to be able to do this, and it really helps clarify which one will work or not for your tone goal, volume needs, and the context of your gigs! While it's mostly 'in the hands' as many say, I continue to be surprised how much easier it is to deliver your particular tone preference out into the room with one rig versus the other. Quite frankly, I can usually get there with anything, but some rigs just make it effortless... turn it on and play!!!

Edit: There are probably very few who have gigged with both of these amps (in the US anyway), and since the tone goals of both designs seem similar to me (clean, loud, small footprint, more hi fi than warm, big low end, very powerful EQ, etc.) this comparison should be interesting to those looking for small but high wattage and very clean, transparent tone. So, the more data points, the better!

 

[tombowlus]

Edit: There are probably very few who have gigged with both of these amps (in the US anyway), and since the tone goals of both designs seem similar to me (clean, loud, small footprint, more hi fi than warm, big low end, very powerful EQ, etc.) this comparison should be interesting to those looking for small but high wattage and very clean, transparent tone. So, the more data points, the better!

I have gigged with both, but not at the same gig. I used an iAMP 800 for years, and I still get great results from mine. That said, I have not A/B'd it to the SD800. I do like the SD800 fairly well, and I can see what people like about them. I was able to A/B/C the SD800, LMII, and Glockenklang Heart-Core on a gig, and you can read about that (if you like) in this thread, or more concisely, in this quote from that thread:

I just gigged this past weekend with the LMII, SD800, and a Glockenklang Heart-Core. Cabs were my trusty Bergantino HT210/HT115, and for basses, I had my Skjold Custom 5, MTD 435, Sadowsky P/J 5, CIJ Fender Thinline Hollowbody, and an early Tobias Killer-B 4-string. Smallish to medium sized bar, no PA support for the bass, though drums, guitars, and vocals were all in the PA. It turned out to be a pretty loud show, on the whole, though we had initially planned on keeping it a bit quieter (which is why I didn't even run a DI to the board - turns out I didn't need it, anyway ).

The LMII did amazingly well, I thought. It had no problem filling the entire room (I was told that it was even slamming way back in the bathrooms, which were at the far end of the bar ), and I was really digging its powerful, punchy yet articulate tone. It had a pleasant degree of musical warmth, but it was very articulate from top to bottom. I also enjoyed the hint of bark/growl I could get when really digging in. In fact, I most definitely preferred it to the SD800 (though I could tell that the SD800 had more volume to offer - but again, the LMII was doing the job just fine). The SD800 also sounded very good, but it didn't have the same visceral punch to the gut like the LMII or Glock. I might have been able to dial some improvement in this regard, but I certainly wasn't able to do so quickly. I mean, it was not bad at all, and it performed just fine, but it didn't quite offer the same immediate satisfaction that I got from the other two.

FWIW, that older (now discontinued) Glock Heart-Core really rocked my world. This model is the predecessor to the Bass Art Classic, and while it has a reputation for being perhaps the most 'true' and 'accurate' sounding Glock head, it is 'only' rated for 400w into a 4 ohm load, and I was not sure that it would be loud enough for demanding live gigs. Well, I am never one to put too much emphasis on quoted specs (and for the record, yes, I am interested in specs, measurements, etc., but for me, at least, the evaluation is not complete until I've heard something with my own ears, preferably in a live setting), and this is a case where the observed performance certainly exceeded my expectations, based upon the power rating. I never had either knob up past 10 o'clock (and mostly a good bit lower than that, since I had to keep turning down), and this head just kicked! The Glock seemed to have a lot more headroom to offer, and I certainly had to push the LMII a lot harder to get the same output. Tonally, the Glock just killed, and required very little EQ (just a dash of high end boost) to nail 'my tone.'

That said, considering the added weight (though not as heavy as the much deeper Heart-Rock, the Heart-Core is definitely of the lead sled variety), size, and added cost (I think the going rate for a used Heart-Core is about double the new price of an LMII), the LMII compared remarkably well. It took a tad more EQ, and I had to push it a bit harder, but I was able to get close to the same performance out of the LMII (compared to the Glock). It certainly had me grinnin' just as hard.

It's really hard not to be super excited about that LMII, if you ask me.

Tom.

If possible, I'll try to get both the iAMP 800 and SD800 out to a gig at the same time.

 

[Matt Morgan]

I've become more of a "set it and forget it" player focusing more on my place within the music rather than a knob-twister.

Later, Kirk

This is exactly what I went through over the last couple years and another fundamental reason why the SD800 works better for me.

As far as the GK 1001RB-II comparison, I can chime in a little here too. The GK is my second favorite amp next to the SD800. For the price point, it is hard to beat. However, I find that the GK does have a certain "tone" to it. I could always EQ my way to a little more even tone, but it always had a signature sound. Not a bad one, but a signature sound none the less. The SD800 is more transparent, a little more powerful and significantly lighter (obviously). It also has fewer knobs, buttons, etc. and I find it a little easier to use in general.

Honestly, I would have no problem gigging the GK for the rest of my playing days. I'm fortunate enough to be in a position where the SD800 was an option for me.

 

[Lia_G]

I really wanted to like the iamp800 after hearing the basstasters clips. But when i tried it out in the store with different basses and cabs i found it way to complicated to use. It's nice that there are alot of options for tone but IMHO that takes away from the appeal.

It's definitely one of the least intuitive pre sections around. Conversely, it is (to me) the most powerful one in existence. But for electric bass, I think it's overkill. For double bass, it's a dream come true ... soooo much control and ability to deal with all the weirdness that comes along with trying to amplify these big things!!! Once I took the time to really learn how to use the pre section, it was a real eye-opener.

But ... my iAmp 500 hissed like no tomorrow, no matter what the settings and cabs. I finally ditched it after an electric bass studio session where the artist wanted a mic'd cab ... and we couldn't eliminate the hiss.

I would love to have an iAmp that was dead quiet. But I'm not sure such a thing exists.

The various EA Wizzy cabs, otoh, are among the most amazing things in the universe.

Cheers

 

[Kirk P Brosius]

Hello all, again,

Well, it's back from EA and hooked up to the NL210 and Schroe Mini12+ (version 1) in my music room and I will have to agree with many of you that this will not give me a real life comparison. They both sound terrific in the 14X14 foot confines of my house. The true test will be on stage with a loud band on the 29th of this month. I will take my NL210 and Schroeder 1210R (sheesh) and give them all a hefty workout.

More later.

Regards, Kirk