There are times I feel like that, and other times I feel like it's so darn close but just misses that all-tube benchmark. And then I find myself missing the tubes even more than I would with an amp that sounds nothing like a tube amp.
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NAD! SVT7 Pro (also comparing it to my Streamliner 900)
- Thread starter johnk_10
- Start date
Honey moon phase is definitely over with my 7 Pro and it is still my favorite amp out of any amp I've played, and I've owned a SVT-CL, SVT-VR, and Traynor YBA200. It's not tube vs SS thing at all, I just LOVE how it sounds.
I agree 1000% with You Guy's (JimmyM & Lazarus.B). I actually did a kind of "Pepsi challenge" with it last night, with My V-4 and SVT. I found that it doesn't necessarily cop the tone of either, which isn't a bad thing at all. (IMO)From the initial plug and play, it does it's own thing that sounds really good. I am pretty sure it could do almost anything I'd want tonally. I guess, I'm used to that extra little something that an all tube power section does.
I am still undecided bewteen the SVT Pro7 and the GB Streamliner 900, I like the tone of my PF500 but that sexy little GB blue window that shows off the tubes is proving hard to resist 
Seriously, the price is very similar with the Ampeg being about 10% cheaper on average, I have read of the Ampeg having issues (which hopefully are sorted in the Revision 00C model) but the GB has no reported issues, it also has 3 tubes but does not have the Ultra high/low or compressor, I know both of these amps will be perfectly good enough for me, which do I go with ?
Seriously, the price is very similar with the Ampeg being about 10% cheaper on average, I have read of the Ampeg having issues (which hopefully are sorted in the Revision 00C model) but the GB has no reported issues, it also has 3 tubes but does not have the Ultra high/low or compressor, I know both of these amps will be perfectly good enough for me, which do I go with ?
Thats the problem, there is no store that stocks both !!
We are not very well catered for in the UK, there are lots of guitar shops but not many good bass ones .
There is a store with the GB 50 miles away and one with the SVT 150 miles away, with the costs of fuel these days and limited time, trying both is not an option
I am happy to listen to peoples opinions of the amps to try and make a judgement, I can easily adapt to a new amp if its good enough .
We are not very well catered for in the UK, there are lots of guitar shops but not many good bass ones .
There is a store with the GB 50 miles away and one with the SVT 150 miles away, with the costs of fuel these days and limited time, trying both is not an option
I am happy to listen to peoples opinions of the amps to try and make a judgement, I can easily adapt to a new amp if its good enough .
The GB has a LOT more bottom end heft and softness, whereas the Ampeg sounds like, well, an Ampeg. I don't use the compressor much, but it's nice to have, and the ultra high is glorious. I really like the treble side of the Ampeg more, as it doesn't boost the very high frequencies like the GB does, but the tubiness of the GB is hard to beat. I've had both, I only have the Ampeg now. It just fits me better.
Thats the problem, there is no store that stocks both !!
We are not very well catered for in the UK, there are lots of guitar shops but not many good bass ones .
There is a store with the GB 50 miles away and one with the SVT 150 miles away, with the costs of fuel these days and limited time, trying both is not an option
I am happy to listen to peoples opinions of the amps to try and make a judgement, I can easily adapt to a new amp if its good enough .
What about online stores with return policies? Do they do that in the UK & Europe? If so, order both and try'em. Send back the one you like least. Or both if they don't float your boat. Or keep both if they both do.
ahc said:What about online stores with return policies? Do they do that in the UK & Europe? If so, order both and try'em. Send back the one you like least. Or both if they don't float your boat. Or keep both if they both do.
Unfortunately, quite a lot of the UK stores aren't as generous as the US ones
ahc said:What about online stores with return policies? Do they do that in the UK & Europe? If so, order both and try'em. Send back the one you like least. Or both if they don't float your boat. Or keep both if they both do.
The UK stores aren't as generous. We also pay far too much. Not sure why Brit stores aren't as easy going and approachable.
Same reason local music stores in the US aren't as generous. The big box companies operate through volume, and they assume that the vast majority of folks will end up keeping what they buy for the most part and don't mind eating the low amount of returns they get. The smaller stores don't do enough volume to make up for a generous return policy.
Which is why it is funny when people complain about GC so much. They have a 30 day no questions asked return policy.
Ohhhhhhh I dream of a 30 day return policy.
When we were young we lived in a shoebox in middle of road...
When we were young we lived in a shoebox in middle of road...
GregC said:Rod, this post got me started on a Madness listening jag on Youtube tonight.
Glad it got you onto SOMETHING worthwhile
I have used return policies before, the shops I use charge for non faulty returns postage, one shop I sent two items back (with free returns policy) because they did not have enough power, they are probably fed up with me
What I want is a combination of the GB and Ampeg, it would seem that the GB has the best tube tone and most bass, I think I would trust the GB more as I have not read of any issues with cutting out, (I am still not sure whether any cutting out issues are not caused by running the amps too hard in many cases), if I was to order both to try I would have to first pay for both, I am not in a position to pay for two amps no matter how temporary it may be !
That sexy little blue window on the GB is tempting
Either way, any one of these amps would be fine for me
What I want is a combination of the GB and Ampeg, it would seem that the GB has the best tube tone and most bass, I think I would trust the GB more as I have not read of any issues with cutting out, (I am still not sure whether any cutting out issues are not caused by running the amps too hard in many cases), if I was to order both to try I would have to first pay for both, I am not in a position to pay for two amps no matter how temporary it may be !
That sexy little blue window on the GB is tempting
Either way, any one of these amps would be fine for me
GRAHAM SG1 said:I have used return policies before, the shops I use charge for non faulty returns postage, one shop I sent two items back (with free returns policy) because they did not have enough power, they are probably fed up with me
What I want is a combination of the GB and Ampeg, it would seem that the GB has the best tube tone and most bass, I think I would trust the GB more as I have not read of any issues with cutting out, (I am still not sure whether any cutting out issues are not caused by running the amps too hard in many cases), if I was to order both to try I would have to first pay for both, I am not in a position to pay for two amps no matter how temporary it may be !
That sexy little blue window on the GB is tempting
Either way, any one of these amps would be fine for me
Soundslive have Rev C00 Pro 7s in at £609 ish I think. Email them and check their return policy.
Nice Streamliner review from Shep off Basschat -
Link Removed
Cheapest I've seen Streamliner for is on eBay (UK) brand new, roughly £660 delivered. That's an actual store/shop as well.
I'm sure Bass Direct will match the Streamliner price if you ask.
For versatility, I'd go with the 7 pro.
Both nice amps, but I couldn't get to grips with the STL's baked in huge lows. YMMV.
Both nice amps, but I couldn't get to grips with the STL's baked in huge lows. YMMV.
I think I will go with the SVT Pro7 head, I really like my PF500s sound and the PF will be a cool back up head at gigs, will look great on top of a Pro7
Plus the Pro7 is a fair bit cheaper, just need my new credit card to turn up
Plus the Pro7 is a fair bit cheaper, just need my new credit card to turn up
