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New Carvin BX700 amp!

#21
jeff7bass said:
I saw that too but there's two things in there. "But it's clearer" and "handles the LOW B no problem".

Sounds like a voice of it's own. Maybe not. I'm sure we'll get reviews here soon because of the price. Personally I'm a little more interested in the new B1000....

:bassist:
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Ya, the quote from the Carvin employee does sound a bit like "It sounds just like the Red Line, but completely different!". :)

I think the B1000 would be more my thing, too.
 
#24
Reminds me of the TC Electronics head

tce-bh500-web-page-graphics-feature-overlay.jpg
 
#27
Jarrett said:
What did the red line sound like compared to the current BX500?
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The Red Line series had a deep mid notch filter, IIRC switchable between 250 and 500 Hz. It could not be disabled. All well and good if you like that sound, but I like to be able to bypass the notch filter.

(edit) The BX series replaces that with a Contour knob, so you can dial up as much mid cut as you like.
 
#29
WoodyG3 said:
B1000 is $499. It's in the new catalog here:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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It's up on the Carvin website now:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Sorry for the off topic ... I know this is a BX700 thread, but just posting because the B1000 was mentioned in this thread.

Back to your regularly scheduled BX700 talk now! ;)

Cheers,
Liam
 
#30
Everything looks solid. Carvin has been designing, building, and selling class-d amps for a while now ... But then they limit the warranty to 1 year for bass heads?
Compare this with Fender and Peavey with 5 year warranties.

Even Carvin power amps have a 3-year warranty.

The warranty isn't meeting pro standards. A company that stands behind it's gear reflects on the real quality.
 
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#31
Interesting description of the 12AX7 tube's function in the new BX700:" For added warmth, simply engage the internal 12AX7 TUBE that utilize two stages that precede the power amp for added tube tone. " For the old BX500 it says, " A rich, warm 12AX7 tube drives the class D power amp." Is this marketing speak, or are they two different functions ?
 
#32
I love my BX500, it is a real workhorse. That being said, running the 12AX7 tube with a B+ voltage of only 60v as is done in the Carvin, does not add much, if anything, to the tone. I don't know if this is also true for the BX700, but methinks it probably is.
There have been many posts and comments about this on TB. Sad to say, the 12AX7 is just a "marketing tube". The only thing that is missing is the little perspex tube viewing window with a blue or red led behind the tube.
Like I said, for me , the BX500 is a great amp that is flexible and tweakable for days even without a real tube preamp.
To Carvin: Cut the B.S. about the tube; either make it real with the proper electronics or eliminate it and pass the savings to your customers.
 
#34
spankdaplank said:
To Carvin: Cut the B.S. about the tube.....eliminate it and pass the savings to your customers.
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This is how I always felt about this kind of tube application. Aphex did the same thing with their 661 Expressor; if there is a device in which one can bypass the tube and still get full performance, it is very much a market tool IMO & E (I used to own to 661 units).
 
#35
spankdaplank said:
Sad to say, the 12AX7 is just a "marketing tube". The only thing that is missing is the little perspex tube viewing window with a blue or red led behind the tube.
Click to expand...

Agree 100%. I bypass the tube in my BX500 all the time.

andreiscv said:
I wonder why they changed the speakon outputs? The outputs on BX500 were a combo type that accepts both speakon and 1/4 jacks. Did they change to speakon only & 1/4 only? Seems like it's less versatile in that regard.
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Might be a cost-cutting measure. Seems like one of each would be cheaper than two combo jacks. 1/4" jacks are CHEAP.
 
#39
Jarrett said:
Is it just a slightly louder BX500, or did something change tonally?
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The BX700 can now go to 700 watts at 2 ohms. A slight bump in power at 4 ohms with 550 watts. Other than the red front panel, I don't know of any other change from the BX500.
 
#40
Jarrett said:
Is it just a slightly louder BX500, or did something change tonally?
Click to expand...

1) Tonally no change...more headroom.

2) People complained that the lack of a pre/post switch for DI was a deal breaker...not only does it have one, its on the front panel.

3) Toggle switches were replaced with push type.

4) They gave it a "finished look" compact case. More pleasing to the eye.


My only problem is an excuse to buy it...I have the BX1500.
 

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