Official Ampeg Micro-VR Club

[rickbass1]

Beware Mr Rickbass! If you love the sound of your pro3 and dig that of the Micro VR, you might find the classD pf500 is not giving you quite that.
It is just my two cents, but of all the classD bass amps out there in the mid price range only the GK MB200 gives you a decent sound. Not the svt pro7, not the pf350, 500, not Markbass, Genzbenz or TC... I have played and gigged them all and they all lacked dynamics and a good response to your fingers.

I actually owned a PF 350 for awhile but never warmed to the sound. It’s circuit board also had issues so I had it repaired under warranty and moved it on. Concur re the GK Mb200, great little amp.

 

[JimmyM]

Beware Mr Rickbass! If you love the sound of your pro3 and dig that of the Micro VR, you might find the classD pf500 is not giving you quite that.
It is just my two cents, but of all the classD bass amps out there in the mid price range only the GK MB200 gives you a decent sound. Not the svt pro7, not the pf350, 500, not Markbass, Genzbenz or TC... I have played and gigged them all and they all lacked dynamics and a good response to your fingers.

Huh? I have a Micro VR and PF-350, both have the same preamp, and the Micro VR is AB and the PF350 is D, but they sound for all intents and purposes identical to me.

 

[rickbass1]

Huh? I have a Micro VR and PF-350, both have the same preamp, and the Micro VR is AB and the PF350 is D, but they sound for all intents and purposes identical to me.

Maybe the Pf350 I owned wasn’t up to par tonaly as it had circuit board issues and ceased to work after a handful of gigs. Quite sterile sounding from what I recall. Receiving the Micro VR next week. Ampeg site states it pairs with any Ampeg cabs so looking forward to running it with 2 AV 112’s @ 4ohms.

 

[rickbass1]

Will be taking Micro-VR with 2 112’s on first gig tomorrow. Delivery of Micro-VR arrived yesterday and noticed the gain knob was particularly stiff, is this usual? Definitely doesn’t have the capability of my SVT pro3 and will be taking my GK mbf500 as a backup if not enough juice to get me through the gig. In saying that I feel it’s a keeper and will get plenty of good use out of it.

 

[JimmyM]

View attachment 3315739 Will be taking Micro-VR with 2 112’s on first gig tomorrow (without cat fur). Delivery of Micro-VR arrived yesterday and noticed the gain knob was particularly stiff, is this usual? Definitely doesn’t have the capability of my SVT pro3 and will be taking my GK mbf500 as a backup if not enough juice to get me through the gig. In saying that I feel it’s a keeper and will find its place within various gig/rehearsal/recording application.

The gain knob should feel about the same as the others. Wonder if the pot stem might have slightly bent?

 

[rickbass1]

The gain knob should feel about the same as the others. Wonder if the pot stem might have slightly bent?[/QUOTE
Maybe though it was purchased brand new.

 

[rickbass1]

I’ll let the store know and have it looked at, it’s new so under warranty. Was wondering how the pot stem could’ve bent on a new unit, got me baffled how very tight it is to turn.

 

[Wild at Heart]

Count me into the gang. I love this little sucker!!!!

 

[Hnz]

Huh? I have a Micro VR and PF-350, both have the same preamp, and the Micro VR is AB and the PF350 is D, but they sound for all intents and purposes identical to me.

Nope, the ClassD squishes the sound and lacks the dynamics the MicroVR can produce. It's subtle, I know. But once you recognize the differences it won't let go. I also got rid of the SVT7 Pro because of the same issue. I prefer the AB ss Ampegs.
This all goes also for every other brand of ClassD amp in the mid price range that I have tried/owned: Markbass, GenzBenz, Peavey, Roland, Yamaha, Ibanez, SWR, Hartke... The only ClassD I kinda like is the GK MB200. But A/B test it to a GK MB150S and you find the same issue.

 

[JimmyM]

Nope, the ClassD squishes the sound and lacks the dynamics the MicroVR can produce. It's subtle, I know. But once you recognize the differences it won't let go. I also got rid of the SVT7 Pro because of the same issue. I prefer the AB ss Ampegs.
This all goes also for every other brand of ClassD amp in the mid price range that I have tried/owned: Markbass, GenzBenz, Peavey, Roland, Yamaha, Ibanez, SWR, Hartke... The only ClassD I kinda like is the GK MB200. But A/B test it to a GK MB150S and you find the same issue.

I've listened for it a lot over the years and I just don't hear it.

 

[Hnz]

I've listened for it a lot over the years and I just don't hear it.

Good for you!

That means you can use any amp, be it ClassD or AB without any preference. Makes life a lot easier I reckon.
For me the difference in sound and dynamics between f.i. the MicroVR and te PF350 is quite noticable.

My bad