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TecAmp S212/Puma500 Ultra Light Rig

too bad they went a changed a good thing! Sounds like they might have made a mistake with the new s212 design. Has anybody tried to contact them and ask them their motivation?

From talking to Glenn at Austin Bass Traders, they felt they could get a touch more low end out of the smaller boxes, and they were successful with that.

Again, the new cabs still sound great to me, and for most playing styles, they sound great (fat but still articulate). They are just a bit easier to 'push to the limit' due to all that extra deep low end when you really crank it up, especially if you use some aggressive techniques like slapping. However, they still sound great.

The 's' cabs, and I believe the 'xs' cabs are the only models that changed design. The 'M' and 'L' cabs are the original design.

So, the new s212 still sounds awesome, and if you don't push it to its ultimate limits, most would totally dig it. It again (the new or older model) will perform as well as an Ag or Epi 2 x 112 stack, in a more even, transparent tone, in a much lighter, smaller package.

The combo 212 is yet another change and design that I can't comment on. I've never tried that model, with the fixed mid driver versus the tweeter in the standalone, and the 8ohm impedance.

Still very impressive IMO, but stil a small rig.
 
I got the Bonafide and sounds good! I have my second gig with it tonight. The amp gets really hot? Does your tecamps do that as well. Last night I took it out of the carrybag because the amp got so hot!

My 500 doesn't even get warm when cranked. Are you bridging that amp into 4ohms? My guess is, running those two amps crammed into that little box at 2ohms per side will probably generate some heat. I would call whoever you purchased it from and see what normal operating temperature is.
 
My 500 doesn't even get warm when cranked. Are you bridging that amp into 4ohms? My guess is, running those two amps crammed into that little box at 2ohms per side will probably generate some heat. I would call whoever you purchased it from and see what normal operating temperature is.

Yes! I'm using my Epi 4x10 into 4 ohms? My fan are not running! Maybe it doesn't work! I have send a mail to Tecamp
 
Yes! I'm using my Epi 4x10 into 4 ohms? My fan are not running! Maybe it doesn't work! I have send a mail to Tecamp

If your fan is not running, that's a problem, especially bridging into 4ohms (which will generate some heat, even with a class D amp). That needs to go back IMO.

Whenever you buy a brand new design in the first production run, there can sometimes be a few glitches. I'm sure they will just send you a replacement and you should be fine.
 
+1 I'm looking very forward to doing this in the near future.

The only thing we won't be able to do is a true A/B of the M212 and s212, since the M212 will be 8ohms. However, we can surely adjust the gain to get an approximate comparison of the tone differences, and also directly compare the 'baby bear rig' (s212/Puma500) with the 'papa bear rig' (m212/Puma1000. We can also do a direct tonal comparison of the Puma1000 and Puma500 by running one side of the Puma1000 into the s212, which will equate output to isolate any tonal differences.

Cool!


Hey Ken,

Are you planning that Tecamp Detroy super meeting in the near futur ?
;)

Regards
 
Hey Ken,

Are you planning that Tecamp Detroy super meeting in the near futur ?
;)

Regards

Good morning from Detroit!

Yes, as soon as my buddy's M212/Puma1000 gets in, we are going to do a hang. I haven't heard from him in a bit. Sometimes, those cab orders take a while. I think TecAmp puts the heads on a plane, but the cabs come by boat, and can take quite a bit of time to arrive.

K
 
I've done few gigs with the new Puma 1000 now and must say its very nice. It has a really nice fat round bottom end, but is very defined and clear with a hifi top end. I'm the nearest to tone heaven yet. I did like my iamp800, but this is just so much better. Using it with an EA nl210 for most gigs, I have cxl112 that I can add for larger venues, but I haven't tried that out of the house yet. I find ample volume from one of the amps, giving me 300 watts or so into the nl210, but it's the tone that is killer. I have almost flat EQ, just a little bit of bass boost to about 1 o'clock and the taste at 11 o'clock works well for me. The real bonus is how well the amp tames my EA wizzzy10 for small jazz gigs. I've been using an iamp micro, but it doesn't really give me enough depth and still has a mid honk I can't get rid of, but the Puma does a great job. Everything flat except lomid at 9 o'clock and bass boost switched on, sounds fantastic, it even gives a nice top end with the fretted bass.....I'm very happy:hyper:
I have to agree with Tom Bowlus that in bridged mode the amp really has some life, compared to non bridged at similar volume. I'm reluctant to use bridged with a single nl210 on a regular basis, but it has got me thinking about an nl410.....bring on the reviews.
I was keen on the Tecamp gig bag, but after read that HOU has had heat problems with his bonafide I may just keep the EA iamp500 bag that fits well, bar a couple of inches at either side. It would be interesting to hear if any others have had heat problems with the gig bag. My Puma isn't working hard, buy hardly gets warm and the fan just runs momentarily at startup.
 
I have to agree with Tom Bowlus that in bridged mode the amp really has some life, compared to non bridged at similar volume. I'm reluctant to use bridged with a single nl210 on a regular basis, but it has got me thinking about an nl410.....bring on the reviews.
I was keen on the Tecamp gig bag, but after read that HOU has had heat problems with his bonafide I may just keep the EA iamp500 bag that fits well, bar a couple of inches at either side. It would be interesting to hear if any others have had heat problems with the gig bag. My Puma isn't working hard, buy hardly gets warm and the fan just runs momentarily at startup.

You (and Tom) are comparing a bit of 'apples to oranges' here. Since the Puma1000 can only bridge into an 8ohm cab, when you compare the bridged to 'single side mono' output of the Puma1000, you are not comparing 'full to roughly half power', but rather 'full to quarter power', since each side puts out only about half the rated possible power into 8ohms.

The optimum 'Puma wattage/volume per cost' pairing is either a Puma500 run at 4ohms, or a Puma1000 pushing either two 4ohm cabs or, as you suggest, one large 8ohm cab like the M212 or L410 in 8ohm version. The EA NL410 (which strangely enough only comes in 8ohms) would also be a good pairing with that cab.

Just FYI. I actually find the performance of the Puma500 (and I assume one side of the Puma1000) into 8ohms a bit disappointing compared to other micro's (like the MB or Genz stuff). However, at 4ohms with the 500 (or bridged 8 with the 1000), the performance is wonderful.

Also, my guess is again that the 'heat problem' in the bag with the Bonifide would be limited to 4ohm bridged operation, and that the 1000 running at 8ohms would not have the same issue in the bag.
 
Since we're talking about heat, does the fan on these guys run continuously, or only when it thinks it needs to? I gigged my Puma1000 Friday night in a small venue that was easily handled by one side of the Puma, but the fan never kicked on. The chassis wasn't particularly hot, maybe a bit warm, but I guess I just assumed that it would kick on at some point. No mention of the design for fan operation in the manual. Anyone know for sure?
 
Since we're talking about heat, does the fan on these guys run continuously, or only when it thinks it needs to? I gigged my Puma1000 Friday night in a small venue that was easily handled by one side of the Puma, but the fan never kicked on. The chassis wasn't particularly hot, maybe a bit warm, but I guess I just assumed that it would kick on at some point. No mention of the design for fan operation in the manual. Anyone know for sure?

I know the fan is 'variable' on the Puma500, and many gigs, it doesn't seem to even come on (although it's really quiet... hard to tell). I would guess the 1000 is the same way. You can tell if it is working in 'test' mode (at least with the 500), where the fan will momentarily go to full speed for a second or two at start-up.
 
I know the fan is 'variable' on the Puma500, and many gigs, it doesn't seem to even come on (although it's really quiet... hard to tell). I would guess the 1000 is the same way. You can tell if it is working in 'test' mode (at least with the 500), where the fan will momentarily go to full speed for a second or two at start-up.

My Puma 1000 does the same start up test of the fan and thats the only time I've noticed it being on. Haven't had a chance to really drive it hard yet, though. I like the quiteness of this little beast at home, compared to my previous Shuttle 6 head which was the noisiest micro I've heard, with it's 'always on' fan
 
Hey guys!
Yes I will call Ken as soon as my new rig arrives and we'll do some serious A/Bing. Apparently they had driver parts on backorder or some such thing so I guess that was part of the hold-up. As far as that Bonafide heating up it could be due to the fact that they are using a different power section in that amp from what i understand. I believe they are using Technik (sp?) power amps instead of the powersoft stuff. I wouldn't think they would run that much hotter but who knows...
 
The Bonafide is a very nice amp! My last gig I uses my Fodera and Celinder fretless and I has very happy with the amp! The first channel got a warm sound for the fretless and the other channel I run my Fodera! The output for Fodera is higher than Celinder so I use the masters to get a similar volume for both basses!

My fan is not running at all and I'm going to send the amp back and get a new one! When they first sent it to me it got lost in the mail and it took two weeks before I got it! Maybe that could be the reason it doesn't work.
 
I've done few gigs with the new Puma 1000 now and must say its very nice. It has a really nice fat round bottom end, but is very defined and clear with a hifi top end. I'm the nearest to tone heaven yet. I did like my iamp800, but this is just so much better. Using it with an EA nl210 for most gigs, I have cxl112 that I can add for larger venues, but I haven't tried that out of the house yet. I find ample volume from one of the amps, giving me 300 watts or so into the nl210, but it's the tone that is killer. I have almost flat EQ, just a little bit of bass boost to about 1 o'clock and the taste at 11 o'clock works well for me. The real bonus is how well the amp tames my EA wizzzy10 for small jazz gigs. I've been using an iamp micro, but it doesn't really give me enough depth and still has a mid honk I can't get rid of, but the Puma does a great job. Everything flat except lomid at 9 o'clock and bass boost switched on, sounds fantastic, it even gives a nice top end with the fretted bass.....I'm very happy:hyper:
I have to agree with Tom Bowlus that in bridged mode the amp really has some life, compared to non bridged at similar volume. I'm reluctant to use bridged with a single nl210 on a regular basis, but it has got me thinking about an nl410.....bring on the reviews.
I was keen on the Tecamp gig bag, but after read that HOU has had heat problems with his bonafide I may just keep the EA iamp500 bag that fits well, bar a couple of inches at either side. It would be interesting to hear if any others have had heat problems with the gig bag. My Puma isn't working hard, buy hardly gets warm and the fan just runs momentarily at startup.


I have the Puma500 and NL210 and CXL112. I couldn't agree more with you. Specially the high mid button can REALLY soft the mids of EA cabs.

Pedro
 
I have the Puma500 and NL210 and CXL112. I couldn't agree more with you. Specially the high mid button can REALLY soft the mids of EA cabs.

Pedro

+1 all the way. I hear quite a bit of similarity between my TecAmp s212 and my previously owned EA NL210, and both those cabs can benefit from a softening of the upper mids at that 800hz or so level. The upper mid control of the Puma heads is perfect to reduce that bit of 'gank' in the upper mids without impacting anything else.

With the EpiUL cabs, it's just the opposite. I leave the upper mids alone, but that wide Q low mid control sitting at 250hz does a great job of plugging the bit of 'punch hole' that the UL's have in some rooms in that low mid area.

NICE EQ on these heads, and that tast control does WONDERS with my piezo loaded Rob Allens, that are HUGE down low. I put that taste control at about 9 o'clock with my Rob Allens, and all that woody detail comes screaming out of those basses, and that 'piezo boom and click' disappears. Nice!
 
Now I have spend some good time with the Bonafide and it's amazing head. It just sounds GOOD! Played my Fodera, Celinder and Rob Allen through the Bonafide into two Epifani 1x12UL's! It has a very full sound with great highs! I'm not boosting the bass on the amp an the taste control is great. I'm in love with this amp :)

I have one question for your guys:
How long is your speak-on cables?