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NAD- Bergantino Forte D

MachMike

MachMike

Dec 10, 2020
162
164
#1
Hi,

I just purchased a Bergantino Forte D. My first head in over 30 years. Also my first class D head (my GK 800rb was stolen). I figured I'd try one of these as they seem to be getting accolades all over the place.

I play a Sandberg VM4/ Spector NS2, and MM SR.

I'm currently monitoring through my studio headphones AKG, Sony, and Beyerdynamic DT880.


What I like:
The head is fairly easy to sculpt and really articulates playing which is great. Its light and there is no fan noise, which is great. The 'Drive' control is really cool! Subtle... but adds a pretty nice edge to the sound (I really, really like this feature of the amp).


What I don't like:
Does anyone else notice the tones sounds like its on a subtle compressed flanger? I think its the automatic built in compression circuit or something, but when you hit any note you get that: (NOTE)..yeeeeeeoooowwwww.... This cannot be controlled or altered (on the Forte D, it may be different on the B|amp and the HP). Also it has a consistent quiet hiss (I'm on dedicated circuit, power conditioned). I've set the gain 3/4 (as Jim has suggested) and boost with the master, and of course have tried a billion combinations as well.


I'll have to try it through a few cabinet configurations 4x10 or 8x10 Paper and aluminum to see if the speakers translate the sounds differently which could be a really good thing.


I was super excited to try one. Is this what I am to expect from Class D amps (Not just Bergantino? So far I'm not a really a fan.
 
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#2
MachMike said:
Hi,

I just purchased a Bergantino Forte D. My first head in over 30 years. Also my first class D head (my GK 800rb was stolen). I figured I'd try one of these as they seem to be getting accolades all over the place.

I play a Sandberg VM4/ Spector NS2, and MM SR.

I'm currently monitoring through my studio headphones AKG, Sony, and Beyerdynamic DT880.


What I like:
The head is fairly easy to sculpt and really articulates playing which is great. Its light and there is no fan noise, which is great. The 'Drive' control is really cool! Subtle... but adds a pretty nice edge to the sound (I really, really like this feature of the amp).


What I don't like:
Does anyone else notice the tones sounds like its on a subtle compressed flanger? I think its the automatic built in compression circuit or something, but when you hit any note you get that: (NOTE)..yeeeeeeoooowwwww.... This cannot be controlled or altered (on the Forte D, it may be different on the B|amp and the HP). Also it has a consistent quiet hiss (I'm on dedicated circuit, power conditioned). I've set the gain 3/4 (as Jim has suggested) and boost with the master, and of course have tried a billion combinations as well.


I'll have to try it through a few cabinet configurations 4x10 or 8x10 Paper and aluminum to see if the speakers translate the sounds differently which could be a really good thing.


I was super excited to try one. Is this what I am to expect from Class D amps (Not just Bergantino? So far I'm not a really a fan.
Click to expand...
I don't blame you. A strange compression like flanger sound, and a hissing on any amp, let alone one this expensive, sounds like an auto return to me.
 
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#4
SgtHulka said:
I don't blame you. A strange compression like flanger sound, and a hissing on any amp, let alone one this expensive, sounds like an auto return to me.
Click to expand...
So far yes, As I said in my post when I hook up to the cabinets tomorrow it could totally change the tone. I do not see how that compressed flange sound could change though unless its specifically designed to emulate a particular cabinet sound when pumped through one.
 
#5
MachMike said:
So far yes, As I said in my post when I hook up to the cabinets tomorrow it could totally change the tone. I do not see how that compressed flange sound could change though unless its specifically designed to emulate a particular cabinet sound when pumped through one.
Click to expand...
So if for some reason both of those issues are eliminated when you hook them up to the cabs, you would keep it in spite of the hiss and tone through headphones? That still wouldn't be acceptable so I'm not sure I see the point of playing them through the cabs.
 
#8
MachMike said:
I totally agree. Do most class D amps have these issues?
Click to expand...
I don't think the unifiying problem of headphone hiss in Class D amps can be attributed to the power section. I didn't get any with my BH250.

My personal biggest complaint is that they didn't hit as hard as a lead sled but that was awhile ago and many of them are very good these days.

If you are looking for an alternative and the Berg was in your range, maybe take a look at the Mesa D-800. Their owners LOVE them and they seem to be the king of the Class D amps right now.
 
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#11
I absolutely don't care for Class D amps..there seems to be something missing in the tone, empty describes it best... I'll just stick to my old SWR it always sounds perfect...
upload_2021-4-3_10-35-33.jpeg
 
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#12
No experience with the Forte D,..but I did just buy the Forte HP and have none of the problems you're experiencing, although I haven't run it through just headphones yet. I've owned Genz Benz, GK , and Aggy class D heads , and while they were nice, the HP truly blows them away. It's got the heft that I sometimes hear people say are missing with class D heads. Sorry about your experience with the Forte D. I know on the HP , setting the gain is supposed to be pretty crucial to getting the max benefit from it. Maybe try turning the master down and then adjusting the gain knob up until you see the clip light start to flash, then back id down just a touch. That's the process for the HP model. Best of luck on figuring it out.
 
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#13
Glennbassmann said:
I absolutely don't care for Class D amps..there seems to be something missing in the tone, empty describes it best... I'll just stick to my old SWR it always sounds perfect...View attachment 4226680
Click to expand...

I used to think this too but now I think it has more to do with what sounds are marketable/prevalent in modern amps. It is more of a style issue than design issue (I think).

It took me a long time to find a modern amp I get along with. I grew up with what was popular in the 90s which was a very in your face big slamming sound that was popular at the time. You don’t see it so much anymore, which is probably why we don’t feel it when trying out one of the new Aguilar or GB or whatever mini amps are out now... but our old mosfet harke, Ampeg, SWR etc came out of that earlier era and are voiced accordingly. The power amp topology shouldn’t matter unless you are looking for power amp distortion like an old SVT cranked to 11.

The turning point on this for me was trying a new GK combo with class D power section. It still has the voicing I am looking for and my big stuff sits in the garage now. The other micro amps that I’ve tried (so far) are voiced differently and like you, just don’t do the trick for me.
 
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#14
I had the regular Forte and the headphone sound was awful. Tried it through multiple sets of headphones. It sounded like pinging bridge cables. Very little “bass” just that twanging boiiiiinnnnnngggg sound. Now that just may be the sound of unamped plucked strings....
 
#15
Out of curiosity, I just tried the phones on my new HP. No hiss or weirdness with the output. Not doubting you or your problems,..just sharing my experience. As a side note, my dealer I bought the HP from did tell me that he thought there was no comparison between the forte and the HP model. Said to his ears they were worlds apart. I'm glad I followed his advice. Very happy with my purchase.
 
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#16
InhumanResource said:
The turning point on this for me was trying a new GK combo with class D power section. It still has the voicing I am looking for and my big stuff sits in the garage now. The other micro amps that I’ve tried (so far) are voiced differently and like you, just don’t do the trick for me.
Click to expand...

Curious whether this was a MB combo or one of there other ranges?
 
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#17
MachMike said:
So far yes, As I said in my post when I hook up to the cabinets tomorrow it could totally change the tone. I do not see how that compressed flange sound could change though unless its specifically designed to emulate a particular cabinet sound when pumped through one.
Click to expand...
The headphone out on the Forte D is noisy and not great at all. I've troubleshot this with Jim and it's somehow tied into the power section which adds noise. My only gripe with an otherwise exceptional amp.

I'm guessing it will be dead quiet with no hiss or weird artifacts with the cabinet.
 
#18
I have two Fortes I've played extensively over about two and a half years now. I have experienced none of the problems referred to in this thread by the OP and a few others. However, I do not play through headphones.

My cabs of choice, and I own both, are the Bergantino HG 310 and HG 410. I would suggest perhaps the problem is in the headphones. Certainly, cabs are a big part of the equation in achieving great live bass sound. And the Forte with these cabs, in any combination, deliver for me in practice, rehearsal, and live performance settings.

Koog
 
#19
Koog said:
I have two Fortes I've played extensively over about two and a half years now. I have experienced none of the problems referred to in this thread by the OP and a few others. However, I do not play through headphones.

My cabs of choice, and I own both, are the Bergantino HG 310 and HG 410. I would suggest perhaps the problem is in the headphones. Certainly, cabs are a big part of the equation in achieving great live bass sound. And the Forte with these cabs, in any combination, deliver for me in practice, rehearsal, and live performance settings.

Koog
Click to expand...

The problem is not in the headphones. It is the amp. Magically 3 sets of world class headphones don't have the same issue at the same time. I've used these headphones in my studio (commercial) for years. The hiss can actually be dialed up and down with the master and gain (regardless of which sets of phones).

I'm going to play with my cabinets at the studio today, what I really hope doesn't translate through the cabinets My guess as I stated earlier, is its something they have created for cabinet emulation and it will be glorious through cabinets.
 
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#20
MachMike said:
The problem is not in the headphones. It is the amp. Magically 3 sets of world class headphones don't have the same issue at the same time. I've used these headphones in my studio (commercial) for years. The hiss can actually be dialed up and down with the master and gain (regardless of which sets of phones).

I'm going to play with my cabinets at the studio today, what I really hope doesn't translate through the cabinets My guess as I stated earlier, is its something they have created for cabinet emulation and it will be glorious through cabinets.
Click to expand...

I'm betting you'll find it's great through your cabs.

Good luck!

Koog
 
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