Seeking your real world class D amp head comparison and experience

[avi]

Tone, and it’s perception is very much subjective to a player. Each player perceives tone differently, which is the basis for 2 different players perceiving the same amp or cabinet differently.

The measurements, the specifications are objective however since there are no perceptions involved.

Half the time I don't percieve my own tone the same way day to day.

 

[avi]

I have owned
GK MB500
MESA Walkabout
Current Traynor sb200
The Mesa was fantastic. I had recently had a back injury and could no longer tote my Mesa 400 around. When I had kids it was time to downsize $$. Sooo next..
I liked the GK in the store. Got it home and was disappointed. Never loved it. Never seemed to do what I wanted. Off it went.
In between - I finally got my childhood dream an sm400. It died a yr after owning it
- one month into the pandemic.
Enter the current
The Traynor is great. Super light. Great sound. Not a lot of fussing with nobs. Fan is dead silent. Is it my Boogie? No. But honestly not far off. And for the price difference. No brainer.
I was flirting with getting the Aguilar but with a price tag of $200 shipped and great reviews I decided to give the Traynor a try first.

Ive also played through the Trace elf? for a bit. Liked it but it has its own Trace flavor. I went home and started looking for a washburn status and wished I still had my kubicki. It was an era.
Im not a huge fan of the Mark stuff so... never tried those.

Additionally, I have played through a few other class D's. I'm actually semi on the hunt. I would like a head with a gain and master. Here's my search so far.
Quilter block 800? Great sounding amp from the get go. Really full. Easy to dial in anything I was looking for but more than I can spend currently

Acoustic (model?) - was ok. Cheap. Sounded good. But the Traynor sounds better.
Warwick Lwa 1000- seemed like a Jazz head to me. Very polite. Not terrible
Darkglass microtubes 500 - Good general sound but not sure why everyone raves. I guess the distortion? Didn't find it helpful
Peavey minimax. I'm kind of digging this amp. If I can find one cheap...maybe....
I'm also interested in the Edens but haven't found any to try out.
To date, the best has been my old Walkabout. I loved that amp.
Currently with the Traynor I am also using a Boogie Subway pre but find I don't really need it except for recording.

 

[esoxhntr]

So I'm looking for a head for my newly acquired 2x svt210av cabs. I went to my local GC looking for heads, did not bring my cabs. Found just one head - Ampeg PF500. Plugged it into an aggie sl210 cab. Let me tell you it was the first time I've been inspired by the colors from a bass amp. Every knob you turned did something good. That 5 way mid EQ selector is pure magic, as is the gain and compression knobs. My other bass amp experiences (Traynor SB112 and AcousticImage) have been "clinical" by comparison. These latter amp's EQ's doing what you'd expect, but the overall amp experience lacks magic and not inspiring artistry. Does that make sense? Based on that, would the PF500 be a magical choice for my 210AV cabs? I realize the sl210 is a great cab, but I have the 210AV's.

Well, here is the conundrum... my distaste for pretty much all things Ampeg does NOT extend to the 210AV cab - I love the things. However, my choice for the 210AV cab would be either a Mesa Subway D-800/D-800+/WD-800/TT800, or the Gallien Krueger Legacy 800. Nothing will ever make me like the PF500. HOWEVER... that is my opinion, and my opinion only. If you like it, go with it.

I can't comment on the Aguilar cabinet - I've not played one in years. I would do one of two things...

1. Take your AV210 cabs to GC and try them out with the PF500. See if you can get a feel for how you like the AV210 vs. the Aggie.
2. Buy the PF500 and bring it home. Try it with the AV210 cabs. If you don't like them as much, sell them and buy the Aguilar.

Trying at home in your own situation is important... even better if you can try stuff at a rehearsal or gig.

 

[Core Creek]

I’ve been using a first generation Peavey Minimax for a little over a year and absolutely love it. The tone is neutral and I can easily get a sound I like. As far as volume it’s a beast and I’ve used it from duo acoustic work to large 7 piece cover bands.... never got the volume past 7. The built in tuner is so convenient. There is talk of the direct-out failing on the first gens but I’ve never had to use mine, and while the fan is loud, I never notice it while I’m playing. For under $300 used its a workhorse and I’m very happy with it.

I’ve considered a TC Bam 200 just to have something small and lightweight but I still haven’t found the need.

The Peavey in action:

I actually gigged my Peavey just this past Saturday with a band I had never met before and they tried taking my XLR to the board and said it was humming - even with two different cables. However. I’m going to take it with a grain on salt - after they unplugged me from the board the hum never went away and was coming through the monitors all night….

 

[dbase]

Once I was a skeptic on class D, but after gigging with a Mesa WD800 at large outside gigs I'm impressed how I can litterly plug it into any speaker cab and it takes over. Also, the internal circuitry seems to have many traps installed to pretect itself. Seems bulletproof to me.. until that day comes when it bites the dust which I dont see coming anytime soon.

 

[Coot]

I have owned ..
Markbass Little Mark 500, GK (200,500, and 800 hybrid), Quilter Bass Block 800, Mesa Boogie WD800.
Best all rounder class D that I have owned and gigged ...
1st place Mesa Boogie WD800
2nd place Quilter Bass Block 800 ( returned due to growing pains in the original series.. a chronic and non-fan related mechanical whine that I hear has recently been addressed and rectified by Pat ).
3rd place GK 800 hybrid
I couldn't bond with the Markbass . Not to belittle it , its a fine head just not for me.
PS..
I know its frowned upon , but I carefully opened and inspected each head and the Mesa is a work of engineering art. a real beauty. especially through a Mesa subway 15..or an Ampeg fridge.

 

[Coot]

I also had a Fender Rumble 500 , but it seems I forgot to mention that one..

 

[pepj]

In the mix has been Aguilar, Markbass, Ampeg, Darkglass, and I'd put Demeter as number 1 by a distance, with Forte HP at 2.
Those are the current 2 class D I'll pick for the gig.
The advantage of class D is its not an issue to carry and plug in if kit is provided but you aren't a fan etc.

 

[avi]

Has anyone used the Swr Headlight?

 

[Coot]

I've never had an opportunity to play through an Aggie.i hear they are good amps.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I've never had an opportunity to play through an Aggie.i hear they are good amps.

They are!