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NAD- Bergantino Forte D

#23
InhumanResource said:
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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I believe it is very much differences in voicing choices and the evolution of voicing rather than the power amp topology.

I know for sure that it is true in the case of amps I have designed over my career.
 
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#24
agedhorse said:
I believe it is very much differences in voicing choices and the evolution of voicing rather than the power amp topology.

I know for sure that it is true in the case of amps I have designed over my career.
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I was hoping you would chime in. While not an engineer I do understand we have enough control over creating the signal we want without necessarily being dependent on the type of amp used in the product. What we hear in modern amps seems more a result of choice versus something intrinsic to the type of power amp being used and out of our control.
 
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#27
To be honest, and to be fair to the dealer and to the manufacturer, I would have returned the amp first rather than post on Talkbass.
With all the best will in the world sometimes a faulty unit can slip through QC, and it would seem reasonable to give Bergantino a chance to address the issue before it is left on the internet for eternity. I have on two occasions had issues with brand new gear from other well respected manufacturers, and in each case it was sorted instantly with the offer of a refund or a replacement unit. I am sure that Jim Bergantino has the same standards of customer service.
 
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#28
lowendrachel said:
@MachMike Hi Mike. What amp were you using before the GK? I'm looking for a super reliable amp. I hate it when amps die on me. Thanks!
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I've been using a GK800RB forever (30 years). It was stolen in late 2019. I had a Hartke 7000 I had kept around as a backup when touring for 25+years, I just didn't like the sound when I fired it up as primary. Which brings me to where I am at now. I have to buy some NL4 connectors to try this berg with cabinets.. I hope the hissing and terrible compressed flange sound is restricted to the headphone circuit. I did a ton of research on this brand and really liked the sounds I was hearing online.
 
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#29
Tim1 said:
To be honest, and to be fair to the dealer and to the manufacturer, I would have returned the amp first rather than post on Talkbass.
With all the best will in the world sometimes a faulty unit can slip through QC, and it would seem reasonable to give Bergantino a chance to address the issue before it is left on the internet for eternity. I have on two occasions had issues with brand new gear from other well respected manufacturers, and in each case it was sorted instantly with the offer of a refund or a replacement unit. I am sure that Jim Bergantino has the same standards of customer service.
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Talk Bass is literally for talking about Basses, Amps, etc. Which would include problem solving, general inquiries etc. I didn't start a bash Bergantino thread. The thread asks questions and praises the things I have found I like and anomalies I don't.

Do you often return items you are inquiring about before seeking other information or experiences? Seems like an expensive way to live.
 
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#30
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.
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I have two GK Class D's. Never heard any sounds like that over the years. Must be characteristic of Bergantino's.
 
#32
MachMike said:
Talk Bass is literally for talking about Basses, Amps, etc. Which would include problem solving, general inquiries etc. I didn't start a bash Bergantino thread. The thread asks questions and praises the things I have found I like and anomalies I don't.

Do you often return items you are inquiring about before seeking other information or experiences? Seems like an expensive way to live.
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Certainly if I believed I had a faulty unit I would return it or at least seek clarification from the retailer or manufacturer first.Not expensive at all and in the case of musical equipment it gives the manufacturer a chance to rectify the issue or respond before going public. Just common sense and courtesy I would have thought.
 
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#33
I'm sure it will be great through the cabinets. However, my intention was to use it extensively with headphones for practice and writing. I don't understand why they would color the headphone output so heavily. This may be the reason the D is the cheapest of the bunch. I may jump to the B|AMP.
 
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#34
MachMike said:
I'm sure it will be great through the cabinets. However, my intention was to use it extensively with headphones for practice and writing. I don't understand why they would color the headphone output so heavily. This may be the reason the D is the cheapest of the bunch. I may jump to the B|AMP.
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If you are using this mostly with headphones, this may not be the amp for you. Ampeg PF-20T maybe?
 
#35
I don't own a Berg but if I'm in a store, wanting to try a bass and they've got one, I'm on it. ... I think they are beautiful amps, but I don't have the time left to figure that much out. ... Your leap for 1980 to 2015 is admirable. ... I keep a GK400 in Florida, as a beater and she's amazing. ... I run a Radial Bassbone into the power amp loop/in and it's great, early GK power amps are still amazing. Their preamps are old. ... Aguilar TH are also very nice. ... Don't give up on D's.
 
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#37
Acoop said:
I don't own a Berg but if I'm in a store, wanting to try a bass and they've got one, I'm on it. ... I think they are beautiful amps, but I don't have the time left to figure that much out. ... Your leap for 1980 to 2015 is admirable. ... I keep a GK400 in Florida, as a beater and she's amazing. ... I run a Radial Bassbone into the power amp loop/in and it's great, early GK power amps are still amazing. Their preamps are old. ... Aguilar TH are also very nice. ... Don't give up on D's.
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I won't give up....I reviewed heads for a year (f'ing COVID) while trying to decide what to get to replace my 800RB. This brand was what I settled on. My plan was to start with a D, then keep it as an emergency backup and move on to the B|AMP once our world tour starts in late 2021 or early 22.
 
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#38
jobu3 said:
There should be no settling at this price point. I’d be very disappointed and would send it back.
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Well, I can only say I don't like the headphone circuit currently. There is no way the hiss or the compressed flange sound is normal through cabinets or we would have all heard of it.

Does anyone else have A Forte D that can hear the same hiss or over colored compression?
 
#40
Many new (class D) bass amps have a substantial noise floor in the power amp, even with the gain and master turned completely off. I am not impressed.
The other tonal characteristics prevalent in the power section of most class D amps - well, I will not go there this time...
 

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