Quilter Bass Block v803

[ebozzz]

Anyone interested by my BB800?

How much?

 

[bass151]

Is there a definitive yes or no on 2 or 2.67 ohm capability?

 

[gtirard]

For those of you who have one of these in hand, does flipping the voice switch mid-flight result in an overall volume change?

Excellent questions

 

[pisces_bass]

Is there a definitive yes or no on 2 or 2.67 ohm capability?

I read the manual yesterday. It’s worth a look on this topic. The guidance is to use your ears and turn down if needed.

 

[KPJ]

For those of you who have one of these in hand, does flipping the voice switch mid-flight result in an overall volume change?

No real noticeable change in volume. There was a little more "oomph" in the tone when switching to Warm from Modern.

 

[KPJ]

For those concerned about an AUX input - the FX return works as an AUX in, it just lowers the overall input volume and you may need to adjust your gain.

 

[bass151]

So will run a 2 or 2.67 ohm load but at lower volume?

 

[JJR58]

I’m watching this thread closely.
So far I’m liking everything about this head.
On my possible list were a Mesa WD800 and D-800+
I know, apples and oranges.
But at the price point and the v803’s tone and capabilities, this could be just the ticket for my needs.

 

[lermgalieu]

So will run a 2 or 2.67 ohm load but at lower volume?

No. Read the manual. It's rated for 16ohm, 8ohm and 4ohm use.

 

[bass151]

So the original 800 was said to be one of the more powerful class D units (loud). Can anyone who has one confirm the same for the new V3.

 

[gtirard]

So will run a 2 or 2.67 ohm load but at lower volume?

It will run, but you have to be carefull.

"The amp performance is optimized for 8 and 4 ohm loads. Lowerimpedances can usually be driven with some precautions to avoidextreme volume levels. The amp is protected against overloads, andif pushed too hard, you may hear harsh breakup on peaks and/or agradual power reduction accompanied by the Power LED “winking”to indicate thermal protection. Reduce Master somewhat to mitigatethese behaviors."

In practice, many BB800/802 users run it bellow 4 ohm without issue, it should be the same with 803

 

[bass151]

Thanks Gtirard. Sounds like low volume or slightly higher but probably not a moderate volume classic rock gig. Sound about right to you?

 

[mikeynets]

Is there a definitive yes or no on 2 or 2.67 ohm capability?

Not definitive, but when I emailed Quilter about this, this was the response:

Hi Mike,
Due to the thermal properties of copper, voice coil resistance increases as much as 25-50% due to heating when driven very hard, which normally tends to somewhat self-limit the power draw of speakers being pushed to their limit. This helps both the amp and speaker survive, although acoustic performance is slightly reduced.
Realistically, you won't really notice any of this, and we have advised many customers they can use 2.67 ohm loads without hearing back about any negative effects. As noted, unless you are totally "thrashing" there's enough little breaks in bass lines to keep average power reasonable.
Best regards
Pat Quilter

FWIW I asked specifically about using it with a Barefaced One10 and a Revsound 210T.

There's also this

 

[mikeynets]

Not definitive, but when I emailed Quilter about this, this was the response:

Hi Mike,
Due to the thermal properties of copper, voice coil resistance increases as much as 25-50% due to heating when driven very hard, which normally tends to somewhat self-limit the power draw of speakers being pushed to their limit. This helps both the amp and speaker survive, although acoustic performance is slightly reduced.
Realistically, you won't really notice any of this, and we have advised many customers they can use 2.67 ohm loads without hearing back about any negative effects. As noted, unless you are totally "thrashing" there's enough little breaks in bass lines to keep average power reasonable.
Best regards
Pat Quilter

FWIW I asked specifically about using it with a Barefaced One10 and a Revsound 210T.

There's also this

I don't love that he's not unequivocal, but I can live with that. On balance, I feel comfortable running a 2.67 ohm load with a generous serving of common sense.

In an effort to better understand this though, can anyone answer this: when Pat says resistance rises when cabs are driven hard, does that mean the minimum ohm rating rises? In effect a mechanical, inherent protection from the speaker structure itself? If I have that all wrong, someone please correct me.

 

[lermgalieu]

It will run, but you have to be carefull.

"The amp performance is optimized for 8 and 4 ohm loads. Lowerimpedances can usually be driven with some precautions to avoidextreme volume levels. The amp is protected against overloads, andif pushed too hard, you may hear harsh breakup on peaks and/or agradual power reduction accompanied by the Power LED “winking”to indicate thermal protection. Reduce Master somewhat to mitigatethese behaviors."

In practice, many BB800/802 users run it bellow 4 ohm without issue, it should be the same with 803

Thanks Gtirard. Sounds like low volume or slightly higher but probably not a moderate volume classic rock gig. Sound about right to you?

Not definitive, but when I emailed Quilter about this, this was the response:

Hi Mike,
Due to the thermal properties of copper, voice coil resistance increases as much as 25-50% due to heating when driven very hard, which normally tends to somewhat self-limit the power draw of speakers being pushed to their limit. This helps both the amp and speaker survive, although acoustic performance is slightly reduced.
Realistically, you won't really notice any of this, and we have advised many customers they can use 2.67 ohm loads without hearing back about any negative effects. As noted, unless you are totally "thrashing" there's enough little breaks in bass lines to keep average power reasonable.
Best regards
Pat Quilter

FWIW I asked specifically about using it with a Barefaced One10 and a Revsound 210T.

There's also this

I don't love that he's not unequivocal, but I can live with that. On balance, I feel comfortable running a 2.67 ohm load with a generous serving of common sense.

In an effort to better understand this though, can anyone answer this: when Pat says resistance rises when cabs are driven hard, does that mean the minimum ohm rating rises? In effect a mechanical, inherent protection from the speaker structure itself? If I have that all wrong, someone please correct me.

I translate this to "Probably better to get an amp that's actually rated below 4ohms, but if you stand on one leg while patting your head and rubbing your tummy, it will work ok. Until it doesn't." Horses for courses. But y'all do you.

 

[mikeynets]

I translate this to "Probably better to get an amp that's actually rated below 4ohms, but if you stand on one leg while patting your head and rubbing your tummy, it will work ok. Until it doesn't." Horses for courses. But y'all do you.

I hear ya. 2 or 2.67 ohm stability was one of the main features I was hoping for with this version. But I'm kinda smitten with everything else and that isn't something I absolutely need, just would prefer.

 

[agedhorse]

I translate this to "Probably better to get an amp that's actually rated below 4ohms, but if you stand on one leg while patting your head and rubbing your tummy, it will work ok. Until it doesn't." Horses for courses. But y'all do you.

An important aspect to this rating requirement is that if a product is rated to operate at 2.67 or 2 ohms, it needs to be tested at the worst case impedance (2 or 2.67 ohms) under the safety standard UL/cUL/IEC 62368, which requires that it operate into this load under all normal and abnormal testing conditions including long term temperature rise of components, PCB and accessible sheet metal. This is harder than it might seem.

 

[JohnathanBox]

I’ve never owned a D class Amp, but I’m looking to replace my Helix with an actual amp. I dont like the amp sounds in the helix but still want variety, so this Quilter seems pretty ideal.

My only concern is how it sounds practicing through headphones. I know there’s some cab sim thrown onto the headphone output and the DI, and I know most people here haven’t had a chance to play it as the amp just came out, but does anyone have experience with practicing through headphones with an amp like this? Does it work fine? I’d probably throw a little dirt at it too, and I’m worried through headphones it will sound overly “direct” and harsh, if that makes sense?

 

[Nebadon2000]

but does anyone have experience with practicing through headphones with an amp like this? Does it work fine? I’d probably throw a little dirt at it too, and I’m worried

I have Mesa WD 800 the headphone has a 'light' cab sim loosely based on 1x15 Subway per @agedhorse [can correct me if I mis-remembered his post on this]

It sounds excellent and Musical no harshness; using Audio Technica ATH-M50X which can be a tad bright

Many recommend when using headphones to turn both Bass and Treble down a notch to somewhat simulate a Cab; which I did with my PJB Bighead before now using Mesa and no need to

 

[zombywoof5050]

For those concerned about an AUX input - the FX return works as an AUX in, it just lowers the overall input volume and you may need to adjust your gain.

When using the FX return as an Aux in, does it maintain a stereo signal to the headphones?
(Sorry if this is a dumb question)