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Solid State/Tube Hybrid Amp Heads with Character?

jdjk7

jdjk7

May 12, 2016
2,455
4,820
Indiana, USA
#1
Hey, so I'm on a quest toward a new amp setup. A problem area for me in this regard has been choosing an amp head. A modern, lightweight Class D thing seems like the practical thing to do, but I'm really not super inspired by many of the options.

A point of confusion I have regarding this type of amp: why do they all have ubiquitous 3/4 band active shelving/band pass EQs? Is there an option that has some other type of tone stack? I know that that this type of EQ, as well as graphic EQs, parametric EQs, etc, enable everything from totally flat response to powerful EQ, but... it gets a little boring.

So... is there a solid state/tube hybrid amp with a more vintage type of EQ arrangement? Or... if not, is there a technical reason why not? Besides the more practical nature of the active EQ.
 
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#4
Demeter.
Traditional studio quality pre amp maker adds a Class D onto their valve stage pre amp to get quite a nice compromise. Or the best I found for me.
I generally like a valve at this stage...more pleasing to my ears.
I generally gravitate to this hybrid type model and I'm looking to sell the one non valve pre amp Amp and replace it.
The question is then..what with?
 
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#7
The Genz BenZ Streamliner, available in 600W and 900W versions is exactly that.

Only available used, I purchased mine new for full price and have been very happy.

jdjk7 said:
So... is there a solid state/tube hybrid amp with a more vintage type of EQ arrangement? Or... if not, is there a technical reason why not? Besides the more practical nature of the active EQ.
Click to expand...
 
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#9
If you don't need a tiny micro sized head you might want to consider an Orange Terror Bass MkII. Tube preamp, powerful Class D output stage (measures far above it's listed 500w), a vintage-style tone stack and way more character than most Class D amps IMO. It will of course depend on what you're looking for tonally.
 
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#10
Deleted member 271037 said:
If you don't need a tiny micro sized head you might want to consider an Orange Terror Bass MkII. Tube preamp, powerful Class D output stage (measures far above it's listed 500w), a vintage-style tone stack and way more character than most Class D amps IMO. It will of course depend on what you're looking for tonally.
Click to expand...
Yeah, of course. I'm just trying to get a broad list of things I might not know about... like the Orange Terror, which I didn't know is a Class D. (I thought it was all tube and just wasn't very many watts...)
 
#11
My choice for "hybrid with character" ,
no graphic EQ, but it has parametric mids.
3x12ax7 tubes

upload_2023-1-24_9-26-40.png
 
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#14
If you can afford a Jad Freer Sisma that thing looks incredible. Failing that I love my GK Fusion S, it has a 4 band eq along with a variety of additional voicing options. I couldn't tell you much about the EQ except that it has that classic GK sound but with a little extra warmth and a vintage tone compared to the RB stuff.
 
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#15
Based on the title of your thread, the first amp that came to mind was the Aguilar Tonehammer. For a solid state head, it has a LOT of character. However, it doesn't necessarily fit the description in the first post (ie. "different" style EQ).

You may want to consider buying a standalone poweramp, such as a Ganz, Baby Sumo, Jule, etc. and pair it with whatever preamp of your choice. I often use a Broughton P15 into the poweramp on my Aguilar TH500 which sounds glorious. Plus then you can mix and match preamps to your heart's content.
 
Last edited:
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#16
mystic38 said:
The Genz BenZ Streamliner, available in 600W and 900W versions is exactly that.

Only available used, I purchased mine new for full price and have been very happy.
Click to expand...

mambo4 said:
My choice for "hybrid with character" ,
no graphic EQ, but it has parametric mids.
3x12ax7 tubes

View attachment 4946461
Click to expand...

+1. I'm running a Streamliner 600 into a Barefaced Super Twin and it crushes.

Also, tube preamp + Quilter BB800 is another slamming combo.
 
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#20
Have you considered a pre-amp and a power amp set up?

I'm an Ampeg guy, but I've got a GSS Baby Sumo, adding the Ampeg classic pre-amp with nothing else gives me some really good ampegesque tones.

Plus i love valve pre-amp pedals and it's great to chop and change them.

Failing that, someone mentioned the demeter would get my vote!
 

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