Replacement amp for Carvin BX600

[AmieLouHat]

I'm looking for a new amp because my trusty BX600 just isn't ready for prime time anymore. I've had the amp for about 8 years and in that time have had it in to techs 3 or 4 times and done a handful of work myself:

• Replaced a bad input jack
• Went through and re-flowed/re-soldered the connector sockets for the ribbon cables
• Tested the individual sections isolated, it seems like the power-amp stage is the touchiest
  
• A number of other things

It looks like what's happening is the vibration from it being in a combo with the cabs is shaking the ribbon connector solder joints cold, so I'm looking to retire this one and find something new. The trouble is that aside from the functionality issues, this amp is the amp for me. It's got a nice, aggressive, hi-fi sound that can be rolled back to a decent low growl and even shaped to a pretty nice slap and pop tone with the EQ on board. I could stand to go a little lighter weight if possible, but I'm looking for an amp with as much of the following as possible:

• Silent tuner out
  
• DI Pre/Post w/ ground lift
• Onboard compressor
• At least 2 band semi-parametric EQ (sweepable mids, Q adjustment not necessary)
• Graphic EQ if possible (Footswitchable would nice)
• Footswitchable mute capabilities
• Priced at $500 or less for the head, cabs will be another issue entirely

As I mentioned, lighter would be better but I'm fine with heavy as long as it's not SVT heavy. I'll probably be keeping the cab with the de-comissioned Carvin and replacing it with 2x210s to stack vertically, so a small footprint is nice. This will be played mostly with my band Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo, who are a mix of rock and roll, alt country, punk and ska with some soul elements, so nothing too funky or hi-fi is needed.

 

[BassikLee]

all those sound like the new BX700, to me

 

[AmieLouHat]

all those sound like the new BX700, to me

Do you know if the BX700 is more reliable than the BX600? I would love to get back into something from Carvin that will sound similar, but I'm a little hesitant after repair bills.

 

[BassmanPaul]

I've used Carvin equipment a lot. It's been reliable in the extreme. Only two problems occurred both remedied by cleaning the ribbon connectors. My BX1500 is a really good amplifier. It's my #2 amplifier not because it's poor but there is just "something" I like better in my tube pre-amp into my HD2000. All my amps drive a pair of Acme B2 4Ω 2x10 cabinets one per channel.