TC BQ250 amp head - First Impressions

@rickwolff started a great thread recently, comparing the TC BAM200 to his Genzler rig, with a focus on the performance of a MAS 16. Thanks to Rick for starting the discussion, and alerting us to the positive features of these new ultra-compact offerings from TC.

After looking closely at the BAM and the BQ series (they make a 250 watt and 500 watt version), I opted to purchase the BQ250 over the BAM. The primary selling point for me was 2 things - an auxiliary input (1/8"), which I use quite a bit for practice, and a speakon connector for the speaker output. All my cables are speakon (as are my cabs), and while not a big deal, I don't want to have to keep track of combo cables and/or adapters.

BQ250 is a few pounds heavier and a little bigger, and costs $9 more than the BAM.

I just unboxed and plugged this little guy into my RevSound 28 speaker, and initial impressions are very positive. Clean, uncolored sound, no fan noise or hiss. While I've only used this at home, my initial sense is that 250 watts will be plenty for the cabs that I use and the venues that I regularly play in. Tomorrow night is an outdoor gig at a brewery with a fairly loud NewGrass band, so I'll get a chance to see how it does.

By comparison, lately my primary amp is a Bergantino Forte, which I use for both URB and electric. Sounds great for both. I recently sold an AI Clarus SL which I liked alot, but honestly found the controls too small and hard to adjust on the fly. Initial impressions are that this little guy compares favorably to the SL.

Photo shows it on top of the RevSound - together its a 25 lb rig, the head will go into a backpack making for an easy carry.

Stay tuned for more. I don't have the capacity to do recordings like Rick did, but will post my impressions after tomorrow night's gig.

 

Away for a few days - will do so when back home.

I’ve used it for a few gigs now, for the price I do not think that it can be beat. Plenty of power to drive my RevSound 28 or 210 cabs, clean, uncolored sound. Not sure that I would use it as my only head (there are times that I need the kick of my Berg Forte) but as a small gig amp and for practice, I recommend this little guy wholeheartedly

 

It’s a compressor, I don’t use it so can’t add anything about it’s utility.

 

I had one but found the tone print and other features to just be annoying. At $149 new it was hard to beat.

 

Maybe not a good choice of words - TonePrint was annoying, tuner not that useful nor the mute since they’re on the amp and I use pedalboard-based tuner and a preamp with a mute. I actually prefer the sound of the BQ. and the price. Compressor not useful though.

 

I was the OP and I can't help here - sold the amp long ago, don't remember any hiss though. I'm pretty sure that there is a TC thread on the Amps Forum in the Electric Bass side of TB, you might try posting it there.....