Question about what tube heads to check out

The Eden D210XST and D210XLT both come in 4 or 8 ohms. The XLT cabinet has a low-mid bump, while the XST is flatter and deeper sounding, but a bit less efficient.

Two 8 ohm cabinets combined will give you a 4 ohm load, while an 8 and 4 ohm cabinet will give 2.67 ohms. AFAIK, most tube amps are rated at 8, 4 or 2, but not 2.67 ohms (although they should be okay with a mismatched 2.67 ohm load).

For transistor amps, you would need a 2 ohm rated amp to safely drive a 4 and 8 ohm cabinet (2.67 ohm load). An 8 ohm 2x10 might be a better choice to pair with the 8 ohm 15", for a 4 ohm total impedance.

My suggestion to would be to try out a number of different amps and see what sounds best to you. In itself, tube or solid-state doesn't really mean much. Rather, it is how the technology is used inside the amp. Play through everything you can!

What are you using presently, and what would you like to be different in the sound?

 

Check out all the regular suspects

SVT's
Mesa 400+/400 or D-180
various Sunn amps
Traynor (can't remember the model number)

If you're lucky and can find:
Peavey Classic 400
Trace Elliot V6, V8


If you're wealthy, the Phil Jones Bass tube head would be a nice grab.

 

+1, and add the Eden VT-300, Aguilar DB 359 (great tone but not terribly loud) and Trace Valve series to the list.

And as mentioned above, a 2.67 ohm load is not ideal for a tube amp. A combined 4 ohm or 2 ohm load (in conjunction with a tube amp rated for said load) is recommended.

Tom.

 

most SVT's can only do 2 and 4 ohms i think, and isnt a higher impedance more dangerous than a lower impedance (with tube heads unlike SS amps?)

 

Yup.

 

so running the single 8 ohm cab would be a no-no

 

Unless your head happens to have an 8 ohm setting (which many, but not all, do).

Tom.

 

Note the Mesa Bass 400 can only go down to 4 ohms.

 

The Ampeg SVT can do 2 or 4 ohms.
The Ampeg V4BH can do 4 or 8 ohms.

 

I'd reccommend getting that eden 210 cab in 8ohms. That'll give you more flexability with heads. Especially if you go the hybrid route.

The Boogie 400+ seems to be the best bang for the buck. You can find alot of used ones for under $1000. Most of the other amps mentioned will probably run you more.

 

I always forget the Eden, and thought about the Aguilar, but couldn't remember the model...are they still making the 359?

 

Nope, the 359 is now history, along with the 728, and most recently, the 659.

 

I just picked up a peavey alphabass for $200 Canadian, and don't laugh it's the best damned Peavey amp I've ever heard. I've never even heard of this amp untill 2 days ago, and I must say It's very similar to a mesa 400+.

I also recomend the Traynor Yba200, also a very affordable and sweet toned all-tube amp, very svt like for 1/3 the cost.

 

If you're going tube... I like the SWR stuff. You could probably pick up a good used SM-500 or SM-900 in that price range.

 

the traynor yba200****to burningskies.

 

Right, but the 400+ can go to 2 ohms.

 

Fer some reason those letters and numbers don't compute in my head and they just fade away...

 

Neither of which is a 'tube amp', rather they're hybrids with a single 12AX7 for color.