New Traynor YBA 100!!

[turcmic]

And that ends my discussion on this amp. You all are on your own. I'll go back to their booth and form my own conclusion, but I'm not posting anything here since I can't make a "reasonable comparison." I have absolutely no way in the next 24 hours to compare this to ANYTHING in a real live setting since there is nothing else there to try it against. Within the 21 years that I've been playing I used a vintage Ampeg V4B rig live for a period of time and I remember what 100w of tube is capable of doing. I have also owned and gigged SS amps ranging from 100w - 800w. If I went in with my expectations set too high, then today I was slightly disappointed. If the amp really doesn't have balls I'll go ahead and let someone else with more time and patience write a detailed review to confirm or deny that since I'm only one guy with limited resources. I would in no way take my quick review as the end all answer, because that's just dumb. I actually hope I'm completely wrong and this was simply user error with an unfamiliar amp. I really wanted this to be an amp I was interested in buying, but so far it isn't. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Please post your review if you go back to try it again. If you can put the price point into perspective (V-4B is more than twice the price of the YBA100), that would be appreciated. I don’t think anybody would expect it to sound like the Ampeg. Thanks for your time

 

[fauxtoe]

Since you all asked very nicely for a second opinion, I grabbed one of their reps and had him do a rundown and demo of the amp with him playing and me standing back to hear the tone. The room was dead quiet with only the amp making noise. Every feature was pointed out and demonstrated where applicable. This amp DOES have punch and power. Obviously only 100w worth, but it’s there. Turns out someone neutered the amp and had it switched to 8ohms, and the cab is 4ohms. MASSIVE difference from yesterday.

That’s a two thumbs up from me!

 

[96Brigadier]

Since you all asked very nicely for a second opinion, I grabbed one of their reps and had him do a rundown and demo of the amp with him playing and me standing back to hear the tone. The room was dead quiet with only the amp making noise. Every feature was pointed out and demonstrated where applicable. This amp DOES have punch and power. Obviously only 100w worth, but it’s there. Turns out someone neutered the amp and had it switched to 8ohms, and the cab is 4ohms. MASSIVE difference from yesterday.

That’s a two thumbs up from me!

Thank you for going back and testing it some more, appreciate it!

 

[Thornton Davis]

BTW, the first amp I ever bought was a YBA-3, in 1974.

Jeff, I bought my first YBA-3 and YC-810 in 1969. This is it.

TD

 

[fauxtoe]

Thank you for going back and testing it some more, appreciate it!

You’re welcome! I’m thankful Laurence from HK/Traynor/Yorkville took the time out of his morning to really give me a thorough demo so there were no questions left unanswered.

Speaking of, he briefly pointed out the transformer and I immediately asked if he knew who made it. It’s not a Jensen, that he was sure of. He wasn’t able to confirm who made it, but he was fairly confident it was made by one of their long time vendors. I don’t know if that helps to narrow the mystery on that front, but it’s the answer I was given.

 

[Downunderwonder]

You’re welcome! I’m thankful Laurence from HK/Traynor/Yorkville took the time out of his morning to really give me a thorough demo so there were no questions left unanswered.

Speaking of, he briefly pointed out the transformer and immediately asked if he knew who made it. It’s not a Jensen, that he was sure of. He wasn’t able to confirm who made it, but he was fairly confident it was made by one of their long time vendors. I don’t know if that helps to narrow the mystery on that front, but it’s the answer I was given.

Did you look under its skirt to see if it was a torroid or regular cored sandwich?

 

[turcmic]

Since you all asked very nicely for a second opinion, I grabbed one of their reps and had him do a rundown and demo of the amp with him playing and me standing back to hear the tone. The room was dead quiet with only the amp making noise. Every feature was pointed out and demonstrated where applicable. This amp DOES have punch and power. Obviously only 100w worth, but it’s there. Turns out someone neutered the amp and had it switched to 8ohms, and the cab is 4ohms. MASSIVE difference from yesterday.

That’s a two thumbs up from me!

Thank you Sir! Much appreciated!

 

[fauxtoe]

Did you look under its skirt to see if it was a torroid or regular cored sandwich?

I just had to look up what each looks like, but I think it was toroid. Don’t quote me on that though.

 

[Ihaveshingles]

If they retail for $849 CDN I might buy one, and I DEFINITELY do not need another amp. But 100 watts of tube goodness at 22 pounds? OMG yes.

Dude, I hear ya...that’s my next amp! So stoked!

 

[JES]

Their site says toroidal.

 

[Kelly robinson]

Does anybody know of any U.S. dealers for this amp ? I went on the Traynor site and couldn't find any body in the northeast . One place was listed in Salem ,NH but they have since closed their doors . I suppose I can wait till they start showing up on here in the classifieds once the new bloom is off the proverbial rose ! Kelly

 

[TinIndian]

Does anybody know of any U.S. dealers for this amp ? I went on the Traynor site and couldn't find any body in the northeast . One place was listed in Salem ,NH but they have since closed their doors . I suppose I can wait till they start showing up on here in the classifieds once the new bloom is off the proverbial rose ! Kelly

Good question. That is the perfect power level for me these days and a 22lb tube amp for that price point is irresistible.

 

[shwashwa]

I like the idea to but the toroidal transformers have me concerned. I think the big iron is part of the tube sound

 

[Jeff Scott]

I like the idea to but the toroidal transformers have me concerned. I think the big iron is part of the tube sound

That's just old-fashioned thinking.

 

[NKBassman]

This looks excellent, but it would be the final nail in the coffin for my bazillion lbs Verellen Meatsmoke, which I love dearly but already never leaves the house.

 

[squarepeg]

Jeff, I bought my first YBA-3 and YC-810 in 1969. This is it. View attachment 3674278 View attachment 3674279

TD

I had that exact amp. I remember single-handedly loading that 8-10 cabinet into the trunk of my mother's Pontiac Laurentian.

 

[96Brigadier]

Does anybody know of any U.S. dealers for this amp ? I went on the Traynor site and couldn't find any body in the northeast . One place was listed in Salem ,NH but they have since closed their doors . I suppose I can wait till they start showing up on here in the classifieds once the new bloom is off the proverbial rose ! Kelly

Try Lomax/Show Me Music... they are listed as a Traynor dealer.

LoMax Bass

 

[Kelly robinson]

Hi 96Brigadier -
Thanks very much for the info . Will keep an eye on their listings - no sign yet of this amp but they do feature Traynor so I expect it'll show as soon as they become available .... Kelly

 

[JES]

I like the idea to but the toroidal transformers have me concerned. I think the big iron is part of the tube sound

That's just old-fashioned thinking.

Calling @agedhorse ! What will a toroidal transformer do to the sound of a tube bass head?

 

[squarepeg]

I'd be tempted to get one of these but the posters who observed that they are unavailable in Europe seem to be right.