Sadowsky SA 200, is it THAT good?

[baxter_x]

@chadds :

 

[Jim C]

Hey Baxter,
I know you usually go for big power MI amps.
Curious as to how the 200 amps will work for you and with what cabinets.
Or, is this for a lower power gig than usual?

 

[baxter_x]

Hey Baxter,
I know you usually go for big power MI amps.
Curious as to how the 200 amps will work for you and with what cabinets.
Or, is this for a lower power gig than usual?

It is a lower power gig. However, the amp feels like it's wayyyy more powerful than 200W. I'll be using my Genz Benz 212 Neox or a Hartke 410 for this next gig.
But as you mentioned, I usually play powerful amps, yes.

 

[Jim C]

And I'll be standing by for your review as I now have 2 GB 212NeoX cabinets!
As I recall you pretty much go for a clean clear sound in your amps? I seem to remember you like SWR heads.

 

[baxter_x]

And I'll be standing by for your review as I now have 2 GB 212NeoX cabinets!
As I recall you pretty much go for a clean clear sound in your amps? I seem to remember you like SWR heads.

You are absolutely right. However, I was more into SWR cabs, not heads. I know have the GB, and the Fender Bassman 810 NEO.

 

[squish]

The SA shouldn't have any problem in flexing the 810

 

[baxter_x]

The SA shouldn't have any problem in flexing the 810

Well, I plugged it in my Ashdown MAG 810. While I'm totally aware it's not the "best" 810 you can find, I could very easily make it fart. That really amazed me as, to me, it was impossible. The cab is rated for 1200 RMS.
Even if there might be some marketting BS behind it, I was not expecting that at all!
Also, I could push the cab at defeaning levels, with ONLY 200 watts!
In terms of FEELINGS, I felt both my SVT7 (rated at 1000w) and the SA200 were pushing the same amount of power..

 

[Jim C]

Could it be you were hearing amplifier distortion?

 

[baxter_x]

Could it be you were hearing amplifier distortion?

Not at all. Only massive clean tone.

 

[Wasnex]

If the cab is actually farting out, there is something wrong with it.

As a reminder I own two SA200s and here is my experience: SS power amp vs tube power amps(Ampeg SVT7/SadowskySA200).

I will say that 200W into an efficient 810, should be pretty darn loud. My last touring rig typically use only an Eden D210XLT driven by about 250W, and I never pushed it to clipping. It wasn't always enough, but I am only willing to play so loud.

 

[baxter_x]

If the cab is actually farting out, there is something wrong with it.

As a reminder I own two SA200s and here is my experience: SS power amp vs tube power amps(Ampeg SVT7/SadowskySA200).

I will say that 200W into an efficient 810, should be pretty darn loud. My last touring rig typically use only an Eden D210XLT driven by about 250W, and I never pushed it to clipping. It wasn't always enough, but I am only willing to play so loud.

I remember your experience. I'll have to try with my Fender 810 neo then.
But I could feel the same pressure with both amps standing in front of the cab.