Old genz benz vs new class d

[agedhorse]

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?

The Streamliner 600 and 900 use an identical preamp , just the power amp is different.

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

In general, all of the Shuttles share the same preamp feature set, all the ShuttleMaxs share the same preamp set and all the Streamliners share the same preamp set. There was only one Shuttle 3.0 model and it has a different preamp than the 6 and 9 versions (no tube)

The .2 models use a different output dynamics management system, and SLIGHTLY lower HPF frequency, but otherwise are almost identical.

 

[ezstep]

The .2 models use a different output dynamics management system, and SLIGHTLY lower HPF frequency, but otherwise are almost identical.

I don't think I ever knew there was a HPF in the Shuttle. Kool!

 

[jnewmark]

One thing you can rely on with both: durability. Both designed by the same guy who still services the GB line to keep them going. Although the Shuttles have similar EQ points from head to head, generally speaking, the Subway line of heads have all unique characteristics to each model, and are I believe all 800 watts in to a 4 ohm load. The Shuttlemax heads, have blendable channels, which I find very useful. Although the Shuttle heads have built in HPF filters, some of the Subway heads have variable HPF filters, if that's a thing with anyone.

 

[agedhorse]

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.

This is a good point. While the player world was very wary of class D amps and neo speakers (because there were some dreadful early examples from other companies), I have been designing around these parts in the pro audio world for a few years already and saw the REAL potential when the designs were executed well. The fact that they have held up as well as they have for close to 15 years now suggests that the technology was ready for prime time way before the bass industry was.

The challenge with being a leader (and in this regard, Jeff recognized the potential very early on and actually put his money where his mouth was by going forward and committing to this technology rather than making excuses about how it couldn't possibly work like our competition did), is that there are elements of inventing a new and better wheel rather than reinventing and rehashing the same old mediocre stuff. The pro audio world was a good predictor of where the future of amplification was headed, it's ironic in some regards that most of those early doubters are now some of the biggest manufacturers of class D bass amps today. Of course, some were unable to make the transition (it was not easy because there weren't a lot of examples to copy from) and are no longer in business or are simply a brand name with new corporate ownership unrelated to the old brand.

 

[MCS4]

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

Can't go wrong with either the Shuttle series or the Mesa Subway series. I'd be happy to use them interchangeably, and have done so (although I have more experience with the Mesa Subway DI run through a power amp, rather than the full-fledged amps from the series).

 

[TinIndian]

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.

I have a Streamliner 900 as well. Never any issue with it due to the amp. I've had it for around 9 years at this point and I still gig with it on occasion. It's a great amp that I will probably keep forever.

 

[Mastermold]

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.

Same. SL through an Uber 410 is a lethal combination!

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

GB is still my favorite of all amps I’ve encountered.

And the cabs too.

 

[lbbc]

My Genz Benz 6.0 210T Shuttle combo is still going strong. If anything happens to it ...I'd locate another!!!

 

[groooooove]

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

i personally have not used the shuttle series.

but, a friend of mine who's a very respected player, in "in the amp business" insists that one of the shuttles (9 i think?) is the best amp he's ever used. guy's been through them all. walter woods, old tube amps, markbass, genzler, you name it.

sort of subjective but he's very knowledgable about amps and expressed a particular amazement in that amplifier. i've considered replacing my amp with one if i ever needed to based on his judgement alone.

 

[dcr]

Love my Shuttle 9.0, Shuttlemax 9.2, and Shuttlemax 12.0. And Uber and Neox cabs. Although, a new-to-me Genzler MG800 arrives tomorrow...

Money shot:



dcr

 

[cashpoor51]

I own the Shuttlemax 9.2 and the Mesa d800 and both amps are Stellar In tone and performance
The only edge in the 2 amps would be the d800 will do 2 ohms and the shuttlemax will only do 4 ohms.
But is so rare when I need that many cabs these days
The MG800 is awsesome as well owned and sold it but wished I still had it

 

[Bodeeni]

I have been running Shuttles for about the last decade. I have 2 3.0s 1 with the 1/10 cab and a 6.0 with 2 1/12 cabs. I really like the 3.0s for the studio and practice because they do not have a built in fan. I also use them a lot for gigs. I do not notice a lot of difference between the 6.0 and the 3.0 even though it has a tube. I am not looking for a driven tone. I went to Shuttles from SWR gear and they are all still working great. I have no gas to get more amps or speakers and I have plenty when it comes to basses. I have not demoed every hot system out there but for a practical, very good sounding, reliable platform these hold up with most of the new offerings I have seen.
At home I am playing through headphone into the DAW most of the time, but coincidently I was just using the 3.0 1/10 to A/B two P basses and was pretty impressed by how good the little thing sounds. Oh ya, and the cabs have cool little built in kick stands

 

[bherman]

Us bass players are so fortunate to have such talent behind our gear design. The GB era gave us Andy and Jeff together with products that more than stand the test of time, and now we have Genzler's newest generation of awesome amps & cabs, Mesa's stellar Subway series, and now Jeff and Andy's joint pedal efforts. Great time to be a bass player.

 

[60bass]

Just a few pics of the GB gear I've owned over the years. Everything in the first two pics has since been sold. All of it was great gear. The last pic with the OT Precision and Neo-Pak on the Seismic cab is the only piece of GB gear I still own and I got that one used here. My first one had the factory 2 ohm mod and I wish this one did. I fairly sure @agedhorse said the parts are no longer available for that mod. I wish I could get it done but oh well.

 

[aguacateojos]

FWIW I've owned my Shuttle 9.0 for over ten years now and have always been happy.

 

[jam.majors]

I’ve been enjoying my shuttle 6.0 for about a decade now. Any issue that cropped up really ended up being home serviced based on info from these forums.
If it dies I will cry.

 

[Joeykun]

I played Genz Benz gear for 10+ years. The ShuttleMax 12.0 is a killer amp and sounded amazing out of the Uber cabs. I blended the Clean and Tube channels to get a driving bass tone that cut like Rambo’s knife!

I switched to Jeff’s new line of amps and cabs a few years ago. The Genzler Magellan 800 and Bass Array cabs. They are nothing short of amazing and can fill a large venue with dispersion not commonly found in other bass cabs. A total game changer but with that Genz Benz familiarity and quality!

 

[Thundar]

I still miss my lil' Neo Pak 3.5! Such a cool amp!

 

[ezstep]

... and the cabs have cool little built in kick stands

If I could complain about my Mesa Subway cabs... it would be that they lack the kick stand. Andy??? lol Seriously, I use it all the time on the Shuttle 2x10 cab. I thought it was frickin' genius on someone's part. Certainly not an after-market product.