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New US made Tube amp from Ashdown!

#241
Just one man's opinion:
a compressor on a tube amp seems silly-to me-as the tubes do that on their own.
I'd opt out of the one on the amp, and the one in line, for this application.

ymmv.
 
#243
You can doubt me, that's fine;)
It's been my experience with tube amps that they do that just fine on their own.
your experience, needs and likes may well be different than mine.

I don't run a compressor on anything anyway, and in fact, the way tube amps naturally compress big low notes is an irritant to me and one of the reasons I don't use one.
Now, it might well be that this one has enough headroom and power to not squish and compress low the low end, and that in those circumstances a compressor might be of use to someone besides me.
I prefer to control my own dynamics. I know other people take other approaches, and that's fine too.
 
#244
Chef said:
You can doubt me, that's fine;)
It's been my experience with tube amps that they do that just fine on their own.
your experience, needs and likes may well be different than mine.

I don't run a compressor on anything anyway, and in fact, the way tube amps naturally compress big low notes is an irritant to me and one of the reasons I don't use one.
Now, it might well be that this one has enough headroom and power to not squish and compress low the low end, and that in those circumstances a compressor might be of use to someone besides me.
I prefer to control my own dynamics. I know other people take other approaches, and that's fine too.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Thanks for the info!

Sorry to high jack. Carry on.
 
#245
Chef said:
Just one man's opinion:
a compressor on a tube amp seems silly-to me-as the tubes do that on their own.
I'd opt out of the one on the amp, and the one in line, for this application.

ymmv.
Click to expand...

I get that, but there's more than just one use for compression (as in a tube amps subtle, natural compression). Natural power tube compression definitely exists, but it is no direct substitute for the range and versatility that controllable, purpose-built compression can provide.

I have a Fender all-tube amp with a split band comp that comes in handy for either 'special effect' compression, as well as a handy tool for controlling speakers is less-than-ideal cabinets that I sometimes am forced to use. Just for 2 examples.

I'm definitely not a "compressor on all the time guy", either! I see/hear waaay too much bass compression used at live shows (for my taste). I'm a fan of hand-dynamic control as well, for sure!
 
#247
The best price I've seen on the BTA-400 locally was at Chuck Levin's and they were at a little over $2700.00 and it was a special order. That's a bit more than a Reeves 225. I paid a lot less than that but mine is a store demo unit. I got the factory warranty and the head is clean so for me, it was a win-win all around. One of my other amps was a "store demo" and that one has been around for 6+ years of pretty regular playing with zero issues.

About the compressor. I'm also not a big fan of compressors with tube amps. If the head didn't have one, I would not miss it. In fact the bypass switch will be given a workout on my next gig.

...and no hijacking worries, its all good info to share...
 
#254
I've had some correspondence with Ashdown on this and it appears that the US version had been dropped for whatever reason. Only the UK version is in production. According to what I've seen on-line, the US version went to 2ohms. The UK one only supports 4ohms. Not that big of a deal on my end.

400 watts overkill? In most cases, yes. BUT I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
 
#256
But my big cabs are all 4ohms and I honestly can't see myself using both of them together. The smaller ones are 8ohms and i DO use the two of them together. I kicked the ohms thing around before I pulled the trigger and figured for what I paid for it, I'll deal with that drawback.

Now all I have to hope for is that the head really did survive the shipping. It seems to work just fine but that's in the house. Once it works fine at a gig, I'll feel a LOT better!
 
#257
Chef said:
You can doubt me, that's fine;)
It's been my experience with tube amps that they do that just fine on their own.
your experience, needs and likes may well be different than mine.

I don't run a compressor on anything anyway, and in fact, the way tube amps naturally compress big low notes is an irritant to me and one of the reasons I don't use one.
Now, it might well be that this one has enough headroom and power to not squish and compress low the low end, and that in those circumstances a compressor might be of use to someone besides me.
I prefer to control my own dynamics. I know other people take other approaches, and that's fine too.
Click to expand...

Never had that problem with a valve amp to be honest, spose i design most of my amps for head room though. I'm guessing if your having problems with squidgey low end you've mainly been using fender styleee designs?
 

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