TecAmp S212/Puma500 Ultra Light Rig

[Big String]

+1 That AE112 x 2 with the LMII is just killer to my ear. The TecAmp Puma500 and s212 is even more amazing IMO and IME, but will cost you $2,500

Good Point, and since I retire on March 31st I'll be thinking about saving a few...

edit: Also the AE112 stack with the AE410 would make for a 'massive' outdoor rig! Heck I've two great amps that do 2ohms. At one time I was contemplating a AE112 stack of three ... whoah

 

[tombowlus]

And I'm quite sure you prefer the M6 over both..

To be honest, I'm going to have to spend some more time A/B-ing the Puma 1000 and the M6 before I make that call.

Tom.

 

[tombowlus]

Good Point, and since I retire on March 31st I'll be thinking about saving a few...

Grats! [I hope, right?]

 

[KJung]

FWIW, I personally do prefer the Puma 1000 to the LMII with my AE410. It's not worlds different, but I do prefer it.

Tom.

I would agree with that, but surely not enough for someone with an LMII to sell it at a loss, and then put out between $800 and $1,400 more dollars (depending on the Puma model). I really like the LMII/AE410 match-up (with just a bit of softening in the upper mids).

I agree though, the Puma500 (or half the 1000) just shines with that cab (and most cabs I've tried it with). It shines more with the s212 though... way more IMO!

At this point, I'm only really recommending the Puma heads to those who either want to go all the way with a full TecAmp rig, or those who have EpiUL cabs (where they REALLY shine also). IMO.

 

[Big String]

Grats! [I hope, right?]

I think 38 years with one company is enough

And... sorry for the slight de-rail ... back to TEC gear!

 

[KJung]

I think 38 years with one company is enough

Congrats!!!!

 

[Big String]

Congrats!!!!

Thanks Guys. It will be an adjustment for sure. I'm looking forward to taking the summer off and then pursuing some ideas. If you think I'm pesty on TB now just wait!

 

[speyer]

You can sure see that the newly redesigned s212 is rear ported No question about that now!

One thing I find interesting is that the combo version of the Puma500 has an external speaker jack, even though the spec's list the combo cab as 4ohms and the head as '4ohm minimum safe'. I wonder what that is about? It looks like the label on the output jack says 'minimum 8 ohms'. That would suggest that the combo cab is actually 8ohms, not 4. Hmmm.

Finally, it looks like the updated cab design replaces the horn type tweeter with a small paper cone driver in a separate sealed enclosure, if I'm reading the description correctly on the website. That's an interesting change also. I look forward to hearing the new s212. Mine should arrive in early April!


Edit: Regarding the impedance, it looks like the internal combo cabs are all 8ohms. The specs list '2 x 12” TecAmp LE10-65 4 ohms'. I assume that means two 4ohm 12's in series, resulting in 8ohms, which then allows you to run a second 8ohm cab. I guess that's good and bad news. For the small single speaker cabs, 8ohms makes sense. For the larger 212, I guess I prefer having the full 500 watts pumping into that larger cab. However, it's probably not a night and day difference (the Puma500 sounds VERY good at 8ohms).

Yes this was my first initial concern that I brought up with Glenn. He says the 212 combo is in fact 4 ohm, but these pics certainly suggest otherwise. He also tried to contact me on Saturday regarding the impedance, but I haven't spoke to him yet. To be honest, I'm a bit worried he found out the combo is only available in 8ohms - for use with an 8ohm extension like you said.


Hopefully we get to the bottom of this today.

If the combo only comes in a 8ohm configuration, I will get the separate head with an s212. Oh well... I'll figure it out.

 

[speyer]

It would be nice to see them put the Puma500 in the 112 combo versus the 350 (since the amps are the same size). The 112 combo with the Puma500 and a 112 extension would be a pretty awesome rig!

EXACTLY!!

 

[KJung]

Yes this was my first initial concern that I brought up with Glenn. He says the 212 combo is in fact 4 ohm, but these pics certainly suggest otherwise. He also tried to contact me on Saturday regarding the impedance, but I haven't spoke to him yet. To be honest, I'm a bit worried he found out the combo is only available in 8ohms - for use with an 8ohm extension like you said.


Hopefully we get to the bottom of this today.

If the combo only comes in a 8ohm configuration, I will get the separate head with an s212. Oh well... I'll figure it out.

It will sound great either way. The separates are a breeze to schlep around, and the combo, even running the 500 at less that full power, should sound awesome if it happens to be 8ohms internally.

Post up when you find out though. Thanks!

K

 

[Scott McArron]

It will sound great either way. The separates are a breeze to schlep around, and the combo, even running the 500 at less that full power, should sound awesome if it happens to be 8ohms internally.

K

It may not be too big of a deal for me. I never run my F1 past 10:00. The rig is mainly for on-stage monitoring with PA support or smaller clubs. Still, I'd much rather have a 4 ohm 212 cab, or at least the Puma 500 in the 112 combo. It's just tough to justify selling my F1/AE rig and coming up with prolly 700 more bucks and getting less power, not to mention all without the chance of at least plugging into it first. Hmmm...

Hey Speyer, wanna jam these two rigs sometime when you get yours? I'm in the northend area and wouldn't mind a trek up to the border. I'll even buy lunch!

 

[Scott McArron]

The more I look at the specs the more I'm perplexed. Why run a 600 watt cab with a 270 watt amp when you have the capability of pushing it with the full 500 watts? You could easily push it with a 1000 watt head! 270?? I don't get it. Same with their 112 combo.

Anyone know how difficult it is to rewire the combo to make it 4ohms? Is it even possible? Just checking.

 

[KJung]

The more I look at the specs the more I'm perplexed. Why run a 600 watt cab with a 270 watt amp when you have the capability of pushing it with the full 500 watts? You could easily push it with a 1000 watt head! 270?? I don't get it. Same with their 112 combo.

Anyone know how difficult it is to rewire the combo to make it 4ohms? Is it even possible? Just checking.

I agree. There is no way to rewire an 8ohm cab to 4ohms.

If that cab is truly 8ohm in the combo, IMO you would be better off with the 500/s212(4ohm stack). The 112 combo in 8ohms with the 500 plus 8ohm 112 extension would be the sweet spot for these combo's IMO.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Thanks Guys. It will be an adjustment for sure. I'm looking forward to taking the summer off and then pursuing some ideas. If you think I'm pesty on TB now just wait!

Dean,

Married to a beautiful young lady and now planning your retirement?

We'll I've only got one thing to say - I'm jealous!

No seriously - Your old....

No No - Congrats!

 

[Scott McArron]

If that cab is truly 8ohm in the combo, IMO you would be better off with the 500/s212(4ohm stack). The 112 combo in 8ohms with the 500 plus 8ohm 112 extension would be the sweet spot for these combo's IMO.

There goes the whole form factor thing that really attracted me to this rig. I've already got a great head/cabs rig, but to have the head integrated with a lightweight 212 cab with rear wheels for super-easy transport, have less cables, and not have to weigh down my gig bag with an F1 is just a dream rig for me and worth paying the extra money for. But if that's my only complaint, then I really don't have that much to complain about! I think I'll live with what I've got.

But still holding out on the off chance that it is 4ohm.

 

[speyer]

It will sound great either way. The separates are a breeze to schlep around, and the combo, even running the 500 at less that full power, should sound awesome if it happens to be 8ohms internally.

Post up when you find out though. Thanks!

K

Ok just talked with Glenn at austin bass traders, here's the deal...

ALL the Tecamp combo's are 8ohms just as suspected, BUT the 212 combo CAN be ordered in 4ohms for standalone use without an extension!

Thomas Eich (through Glenn) says that the he understands the need for players wanting the 212 combo in a 4ohm configuration, which is why they offer on special orders. And also that the 4ohm combo will apparently sound deeper/punchier and a bit darker than it's 8ohm counterpart... and of course will be louder.

There's a catch though, apparently if you order one of these in a 4 ohm configuration, Osiamo (the US distributer) won't warranty the combo for damages as a result of using the 'extension out' on the Amp. This is kind of a no brainer to me, because I don't think that type damage would be warranted in any case (like if someone connected two 4ohm cabs to a puma head and it resulted in damage), but is somewhat of a 'disclosure' on their part I guess. Also, I would expect this warranty thing to evolve a little more over time, as Osiamo deals with these products (and this situation) more in the future.

In that respect, I didn't ask to many more questions other than how the combo would be 'marked' to reflect it's 4ohm impedance, but we are just not sure at this point (I figure it's a valid concern for a 'resale' situation). My thought was that just disconnecting the 'speaker out' jack at the factory would negate all these warranty concerns, but It's in their hands at this point.

So in conclusion, I've decided to stick with the 4ohm combo despite the warranty 'disclaimer' by Osiamo... mainly because I'm really 'stuck' on getting this 212 in combo format, and also because I want to be able to squeeze all 500 watts out of the puma if I have to.

Later,

Pat.

 

[KJung]

Ok just talked with Glenn at austin bass traders, here's the deal...

ALL the Tecamp combo's are 8ohms just as suspected, BUT the 212 combo CAN be ordered in 4ohms for standalone use without an extension!

Thomas Eich (through Glenn) says that the he understands the need for players wanting the 212 combo in a 4ohm configuration, which is why they offer on special orders. And also that the 4ohm combo will apparently sound deeper/punchier and a bit darker than it's 8ohm counterpart... and of course will be louder.

There's a catch though, apparently if you order one of these in a 4 ohm configuration, Osiamo (the US distributer) won't warranty the combo for damages as a result of using the 'extension out' on the Amp. This is kind of a no brainer to me, because I don't think that type damage would be warranted in any case (like if someone connected two 4ohm cabs to a puma head and it resulted in damage), but is somewhat of a 'disclosure' on their part I guess. Also, I would expect this warranty thing to evolve a little more over time, as Osiamo deals with these products (and this situation) more in the future.

In that respect, I didn't ask to many more questions other than how the combo would be 'marked' to reflect it's 4ohm impedance, but we are just not sure at this point (I figure it's a valid concern for a 'resale' situation). My thought was that just disconnecting the 'speaker out' jack at the factory would negate all these warranty concerns, but It's in their hands at this point.

So in conclusion, I've decided to stick with the 4ohm combo despite the warranty 'disclaimer' by Osiamo... mainly because I'm really 'stuck' on getting this 212 in combo format, and also because I want to be able to squeeze all 500 watts out of the puma if I have to.

Later,

Pat.

VERY cool! That makes much sense, since they offer all their cabs in 4 and 8ohm anyway, so they have the drivers. GREAT!

Glenn also mentioned that the TecAmp guys feel the 4ohm versions of the s212 are a little darker than the 8ohm. If that's the case, I'm glad I got the 4, because mine is anything but dark!!!!

I'm glad that worked out!

K

 

[Budha bass]

some kind of Tecamp custom shop ...
Tecamp mark the impédance behind their cabs, so this special one will also be marked as a 4ohms version, without any doubts !

 

[speyer]

VERY cool! That makes much sense, since they offer all their cabs in 4 and 8ohm anyway, so they have the drivers. GREAT!

Glenn also mentioned that the TecAmp guys feel the 4ohm versions of the s212 are a little darker than the 8ohm. If that's the case, I'm glad I got the 4, because mine is anything but dark!!!!

I'm glad that worked out!

K

Yeah... thanks Ken! I'm pretty stoked I figured these are 'anything but dark' to begin with.

Also, Glenn mentioned the combo and new s212 use a 4" driver crossed over a bit lower (versus the old bullet tweeter) in the newly designed cabs. Apparently, this is a good thing and that's one of the reasons the new cabs sound a bit darker.



Pat.

 

[KJung]

Yeah... thanks Ken! I'm pretty stoked I figured these are 'anything but dark' to begin with.

Also, Glenn mentioned the combo and new s212 use a 4" driver crossed over a bit lower (versus the old bullet tweeter) in the newly designed cabs. Apparently, this is a good thing and that's one of the reasons the new cabs sound a bit darker.



Pat.

Yeah, that 'tweeter to driver' change is interesting. I run my current tweeter on the 'soft attack medium' setting (which is the higher crossover point mid volume setting). I figure I can crank that to 'soft attack high' if the cab doesn't have the sparkle that I like on the medium setting.

One good thing will probably be that the lower crossover point setting with the Hard Attack setting (the attenuator settings change the tweeter volume and crossover point) should sound better. All those upper mids coming out of the standard horn type tweeter in the 'hard attack/lower crossover point' mode does not sound very good to me, but will probably sound quite good with a small paper cone speaker handling the upper mids through treble with that hard attack setting.

I assume yours will beat mine, since I just ordered, so post up when you get it. I went back and forth in my head quite a bit between the 'new' s212 and just getting a slightly bigger version of the current s212 (which I LOVE) by ordering the M212. However, Glenn said that all the TecAmp cabs will eventually undergo the change (the new 'tweeter' and the new larger, rear porting), so I figured I might as well jump on that band wagon and see what it's about.

K