I voted Mesa all the way. The other two are great too, but I feel the Mesa will give more clean power and options. It's like a big head in a super small pkg.
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My vote was for none of the above although they are all great heads.
DNA just started shipping their DNA-800 head if you are stuck on 800-watts at 4 ohm heads. If you want more power, their flagship DNA-1350 is 1350 watts @ 4ohms in a single power-block head. The DNA 800 (weight 4.8-lbs.) street price is $749, which is about half the price of its bigger brother ($1495). The 1350 (weight 7-lbs.) has more bells and whistles, but the DNA-800 still has a great compressor built in as well as Stereo Aux Input, Effects loop, Rear panel Input, Slave Out, DI Level XLR with Pre/Post select, and a dual channel footswitch. In my opinion they arefinitely worth a look.
DNA just started shipping their DNA-800 head if you are stuck on 800-watts at 4 ohm heads. If you want more power, their flagship DNA-1350 is 1350 watts @ 4ohms in a single power-block head. The DNA 800 (weight 4.8-lbs.) street price is $749, which is about half the price of its bigger brother ($1495). The 1350 (weight 7-lbs.) has more bells and whistles, but the DNA-800 still has a great compressor built in as well as Stereo Aux Input, Effects loop, Rear panel Input, Slave Out, DI Level XLR with Pre/Post select, and a dual channel footswitch. In my opinion they arefinitely worth a look.
Ampeg quality is suspect. GK tone is too modern for my ears. I prefer a vintage tone. I have a D800 with a couple of Berg 112 cabinets. Can't see trading for something else anytime soon. If you like a deep slightly compressed tone with the ability to add some subtle overdrive without any harshness, the D800 is your choice.
I voted for the Ampeg, PF 800, because I'm familiar with it; can't speak for the others. I have an Ampeg SVT 7 PRO that I love. I only mention it because it's a class D Power Amp with a 12AX7 preamp. In fact the only PRO series that is a class D. Nice compression on it too if you don't want to use a pedal for that. $700; 1000 watts; 15 lbs. Might want to check it out.
In my search for a Class D amp I tried about 10 different ones and the one I liked for me was the Warwick 1000 . Some people don't care for the way the " compressor " knob works which is fine. to each there own. The only way to really know is to take the ones you like the sound of and try it out in a jam or gig situation. YOU are the only one that knows which sound fits you best.
Yes and add to that a 5 year TRANSFERABLE warranty.
I bought a used D-800 from a TB'r with over 4 years remaining on the warranty. This is worth a lot to me.
I think the best advice in this thread was the one who said if you can't try each amp individually try other amps from these three manufacturers as all three tend to have their own sound. I'm not a fan of the GK sound, I've had a couple of 400RB's over the years and it's just not my sound. I've played Ampeg Portaflex heads in some studios and was able to get that ol' Ampeg sound out of them, but they have less tonal flexibility than the Mesa, are made in China and the Warranty is not transferable.
I've been a strictly tube-amp guy for decades. I know and love the Mesa sound. Their build-quality and customer service are, bar none, the best in the industry. The D-800 has that Mesa-Boogie sound but is still very flexible.
I had my choice of compact class-D amps narrowed down to the Aguilar TH-500 and the Mesa D-800. The Mesa is made in California, is 2 ohm stable has a high quality DI, has the aforementioned warranty, great tone control, comes with a carry bag and retains it's value like no other. You can be assured that if you don't like it you can resell it with minimal loss.
I really thought the D-800 was going to be my practice amp, home studio amp and that my big 4-tube 100w head would stay as my go to amp for gigs but now that I've got the D-800 I haven't taken the 42lb tube head anywhere.
Cheers
Gotta say I'm in the minority. I had a GK MB 800 Fusion and the Mesa D-800. I just sold the Mesa in favor of the GK. I've never been a GK guy, or liked the tone of the RB series. But the MB Fusion 800 sounds great to me, and has more headroom than I'll ever need. When comparing the GK and Mesa side by side, the GK felt/sounded like it had twice as much power and punch. If felt/sounded more alive. (Whatever that means)
Both are great amps and I don't think you'll be disappointed either way. I would say, if you're going GK MB800, go with the fusion version!
Both are great amps and I don't think you'll be disappointed either way. I would say, if you're going GK MB800, go with the fusion version!
Truthfully, an Ampeg Heritage CL would look good on that Heritage 810 E. But I understand Class D. I've got one myself. it's really personal choice. But since you've got the fantastic Ampeg Cab, it belongs with an Ampeg head. Someone mentioned Ampeg having a quality issue on this forum that was "suspect". I've been around long enough to know they're just talking out another part of their body.
Heard a lot of issues with that Ampeg Svt 7 pro .. Overheating and just stopping working ? Didn't seem too reliable based on all the stories
When it first came out, there was an issue. Ampeg did fix it a long time ago. That story is famous! I spoke to them about it. Never buy a used 7 PRO! They told me that themselves.
I'm going to suggest an SVT 7 PRO. Dude, you have a freaking Heritage 810 E! Ask Jimmy M. He's the resident Ampeg guy on this forum! I have one and love it. Worth the extra clams. $700 brand new!
any list of top level class D amps needs to have Genzler on it, IMHO
here is a comparison of the Mesa and the Genzler Magellan:
here is a comparison of the Mesa and the Genzler Magellan:
I had both the Ampeg and GK at the same time. The GK became my gigging head and the Ampeg was used for rehearsal until I sold it; I could never get the tone I wanted from the Ampeg. I Still have the GK (head and shoulders above the Ampeg), but it's been a backup to my GB Shuttle for the past few years. The Shuttle in hands down the best amp I've played in my 25+ years, but that's another story.
I've been not avoiding my Bugera Veyron on gigs for around a year.
I get it, Behringer has a history. I considered that when I made my purchase of my first Behringer/Bugera amp. I'm still impressed. I know dozens of other bassists doing the same thing. It's easily the most popular amp amongst local gigging bassists, who've used everything that's come down the pike prior to switching. And I've been able to compare it most of the new or heavy hitter amps out there and still prefer it. Because of it's performance.
I've made several thousand dollars with mine in various venues playing a wide variety of music without the slightest hiccup and consider it some of the best money I've ever spent. So there's that too. Probably explains my bias. That's why I recommend that people at least check them out before pulling the trigger on something else. I know lots of people kicking themselves for not taking that approach.
I cranked it up a bit outdoors during soundcheck... it's fun watching the reaction. Otherwise it coasts through my gigs and each bass sounds like it sounds. That's all I ask for and I get it.
BTW I have no connection with Behringer. They just made what I consider a damn fine amp at a giveaway price. Something many of us can appreciate.
Sorry, this is not meant to be a wet blanket for this thread. But, it really does not warrant the amount of thought/energy you are putting into it. The Heritage 810 is going to sound like a Heritage 810 (which is a good thing). So, the sound differences between these three Class D heads is not going to amount to very much in the end. The cab is going to color it anyway. With that said, here is my take on these three:
I played the GK MB800 and happen to be a big GK fan for many years. Found it to be very powerful and capable of really driving speaker excursion to produce some clear deep lows. Now, you won't need or use that with the Heritage 810, because it is a sealed cab with considerable low end roll off after 80 Hz. So, its way more watts than that cab can use. Once you take out the lows, its still a nice sound. But, I would not choose it over a Fusion 550 (or even an old 800rb).
Played the Mesa D800 through a pair of Mesa Subway 112 cabs. Given the glowing reviews here on Talkbass, I expected to be blown away. I was not. Honestly, it was a nice sound. But, it just sounded like other Mesa gear I had played. Yes, it is stable down to 2 ohms. But, are you really going to play it with TWO Heritage 810 cabs? Again, it is seriously more watts than your cab needs and has no magic tone that just makes me think everyone should own one.
Ampeg PF 800. I have not played a PF 800 (only a PF 500). But, at least with regard to the PF 500, I did hear what I considered to be a classic Ampeg tone from it. If the 800 has a similar tone stack, I can see it being a good mate for the Heritage 810. That Ampeg sound through an 810 is a beautiful thing and I tend to favor matching gear anyway. So, of the three, I would probably favor the PF800 (or 500).
If you were going to play one of these heads through one of the latest Greenboy/Barefaced/MAS cabs, then it becomes a much more relevant discussion of the various capabilities for each head. Those super cabs can accurately reproduce what the heads are capable of. But, given that you know you want to use a Heritage 810 with it, the inquiry narrows considerably. For me, I would just match the 810 Heritage cab with an Pf 500/800 or SVT 7 Pro and call it a day. Anyway, that's my 2 cents on it.
I played the GK MB800 and happen to be a big GK fan for many years. Found it to be very powerful and capable of really driving speaker excursion to produce some clear deep lows. Now, you won't need or use that with the Heritage 810, because it is a sealed cab with considerable low end roll off after 80 Hz. So, its way more watts than that cab can use. Once you take out the lows, its still a nice sound. But, I would not choose it over a Fusion 550 (or even an old 800rb).
Played the Mesa D800 through a pair of Mesa Subway 112 cabs. Given the glowing reviews here on Talkbass, I expected to be blown away. I was not. Honestly, it was a nice sound. But, it just sounded like other Mesa gear I had played. Yes, it is stable down to 2 ohms. But, are you really going to play it with TWO Heritage 810 cabs? Again, it is seriously more watts than your cab needs and has no magic tone that just makes me think everyone should own one.
Ampeg PF 800. I have not played a PF 800 (only a PF 500). But, at least with regard to the PF 500, I did hear what I considered to be a classic Ampeg tone from it. If the 800 has a similar tone stack, I can see it being a good mate for the Heritage 810. That Ampeg sound through an 810 is a beautiful thing and I tend to favor matching gear anyway. So, of the three, I would probably favor the PF800 (or 500).
If you were going to play one of these heads through one of the latest Greenboy/Barefaced/MAS cabs, then it becomes a much more relevant discussion of the various capabilities for each head. Those super cabs can accurately reproduce what the heads are capable of. But, given that you know you want to use a Heritage 810 with it, the inquiry narrows considerably. For me, I would just match the 810 Heritage cab with an Pf 500/800 or SVT 7 Pro and call it a day. Anyway, that's my 2 cents on it.
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I've been not avoiding my Bugera Veyron on gigs for around a year.
I get it, Behringer has a history. I considered that when I made my purchase of my first Behringer/Bugera amp. I'm still impressed. I know dozens of other bassists doing the same thing. It's easily the most popular amp amongst local gigging bassists, who've used everything that's come down the pike prior to switching. And I've been able to compare it most of the new or heavy hitter amps out there and still prefer it. Because of it's performance.
I've made several thousand dollars with mine in various venues playing a wide variety of music without the slightest hiccup and consider it some of the best money I've ever spent. So there's that too. Probably explains my bias. That's why I recommend that people at least check them out before pulling the trigger on something else. I know lots of people kicking themselves for not taking that approach.
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I cranked it up a bit outdoors during soundcheck... it's fun watching the reaction. Otherwise it coasts through my gigs and each bass sounds like it sounds. That's all I ask for and I get it.
BTW I have no connection with Behringer. They just made what I consider a damn fine amp at a giveaway price. Something many of us can appreciate.
Thanks for your take on the Bugera. One day maybe I'll be able to hear one.
If nothing else the juxtaposition in the photo of that Fodera bass and the "Behringer" amp should spark a little conversation.
I get the irony
. I tend to use what works best for me and clearly if I'm just into cheap gear I must've missed a meeting or two.
