Old genz benz vs new class d

[JackNoneReacher]

I’m looking for a class d amp. I’ve been intrigued Ty the shuttle max series, but I can’t find reviews or clips that are not 10 years old. Are these amps still good, and how do they compare to the meds subway series or other popular class d amps?
I play a lot of different styles, so I’m looking for good clean that can get a touch of dirt. thanks

 

[el murdoque]

If you want to know how an old Genz Benz compares to a new Mesa amp, @agedhorse should be the one to ask.

The people I know playing their Shuttles are happy with them.

 

[agedhorse]

The ShuttleMax is still quite current, and still has factory support in North America.

 

[jnewmark]

I've been using a Shuttlemax 12.2 for about 5 years now, after having tried just about every Shuttle amp head. I did own a Subway D800 for awhile, but quickly missed the versatile 12.2, and went back. I love being able to blend both channels, and also the choice of being able to use two, 4 ohm cabs. Something about the Shuttle's EQ is more intuitive to me, as opposed to the D800, although this is pretty subjective territory. I'm sure Agedhorse can speak to the technical differences between the two lines way better than me. Right now, if my 12.2 died, I'd probably look for another one before I bought anything new, although I have not tried the newer Subway heads.

 

[JackNoneReacher]

I’m looking at the shuttle max 6. I know it will be clean. How is the warmth from the tube?

 

[basscooker]

I'm a little curious myself about the Max's.

Am I correct that the 6 is two 300 watt amps? Does that mean I'm looking at approximately the same 8 ohm single cab output as my shuttle 3.0?

 

[wave rider]

I'm a little curious myself about the Max's.

Am I correct that the 6 is two 300 watt amps? Does that mean I'm looking at approximately the same 8 ohm single cab output as my shuttle 3.0?

6 is one amp, 12 is two. IIRC, 6 is 375/600 watts at 8/4 ohms.

 

[basscooker]

So just the max 9 and max 12 have two amps? The max 6 is more similar to the non-max 6?

 

[wave rider]

So just the max 9 and max 12 have two amps? The max 6 is more similar to the non-max 6?

Max 9 has a single amp, I don't remember its wattage(500/900?). ShuttleMax 6/9/12 have more knobs than the Shuttle 6/9. Maxes have FET and Tube channels, Shuttles have single channels.

 

[agedhorse]

6 is one amp, 12 is two. IIRC, 6 is 375/600 watts at 8/4 ohms.

Correct.

So just the max 9 and max 12 have two amps? The max 6 is more similar to the non-max 6?

The ShuttleMax 12.0/12.2 is the only model with 2 power amps and a backup power supply for the preamp.

 

[JackNoneReacher]

So the shuttle 6 max is 600 watts. How does the quality and tone compare to the Mesa subway 800?

 

[basscooker]

Thanks @wave rider and @agedhorse for the clarification. One more quickie... there was a streamliner 6 and 9, but no 12? Was the feature set the same on the 'liners/ same enclosure dimensions?

 

[basscooker]

So the shuttle 6 max is 600 watts. How does the quality and tone compare to the Mesa subway 800?

I'd venture quality is on par. I can't speak to tone... With the Subway, buying new you have warranty coverage where as even though the GBs can be serviced it won't be free.

 

[ezstep]

Both GB and Mesa are pretty much bullet-proof. I still have a Shuttle 6.0, but not the Max series. Tube pre- or SS pre-, and the ability to blend as much or little as I want. The GB is brighter than the Mesa D800+ (imho), and there are times when I need that. But, the D800+ sounds the way I want it, and the Shuttle is mostly designated to back-up status, although a few times a year I pull it out and use it for the whole gig. Both are great, and I would imagine the Max would be even better (than mine). But, I like simple, and both are quite simple to operate. They fit my needs perfectly. To be honest, I never use the pre-sets - bass boost, treble boost, mid-scoop. I can dial in what I want.

 

[Bruiser Stone]

Anything Genz Benz is quality. I had the Shuttle 9.0 with an Uber 410 and I could dial up a respectable amount of grit with the tube pre. ‘Slam’ is the best way to describe the sound, and I owe much of that to the Uber cab.

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

I’m looking for a class d amp. I’ve been intrigued Ty the shuttle max series, but I can’t find reviews or clips that are not 10 years old. Are these amps still good, and how do they compare to the meds subway series or other popular class d amps?
I play a lot of different styles, so I’m looking for good clean that can get a touch of dirt. thanks

Not the exact amp you're talking about, but I still have my Genz Benz Shuttle combo, and it still rocks. IMO it's a design that was ahead of its time. Feature and performance wise, it could have been purchased in 2022.

 

[abarson]

Thanks @wave rider and @agedhorse for the clarification. One more quickie... there was a streamliner 6 and 9, but no 12? Was the feature set the same on the 'liners/ same enclosure dimensions?

Shuttle Gen1: 3.0, 6.0, 9.0
Shuttle Gen2: 6.2, 9.2
ShuttleMax Gen1: 6.0, 9.0, 12.0
ShuttleMax Gen2: 6.2, 9.2, 12.2
Streamliner: 600, 900

 

[Ctenium]

i have a streamliner 900 i don't even remember when i bought, probably when they first came out. has worked perfectly from day one. i haven't tried anything more current but still very happy with it.

 

[pjbassist]

the GBs can be serviced it won't be free.

Valid point...but...it is VERY inexpensive and the turn around is quick! The best part is that you get to deal with @agedhorse who designed it to begin with! Its like having the head baker wrench on your cupcake!

 

[wazzel]

I have a shuttle 6.0 that I got when they first came out, like 07-ish????. I still play it weekly at my church gig. Has a nice clean tone and sounds good with a little dirt. Never had a problem with the amp. Did change a busted speaker about 5 years ago. I did get a Berg HP last year. It is a bit nicer. Not nicer enough for me to tote it back and forth to my church gig to replace the shuttle.