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Tube Preamp and Second Cab for Ampeg Micro VR

#22
JimmyM said:
if you bought a micro vr to play loud rock and roll with guitarists who dime marshall 100w half stacks, then i might agree with you. but i'd think anyone with half a brain could see it's not a high volume rig.
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Yeah I can agree partially. you see the guitarist in my band runs Marshall Valvestate 8100, Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier, or either his Line 6 (don't know the model), and those paired with Marshall 4x12 cabs.. However I've used Ampeg's similar wattage combo amps the 1x12, the 2x10, and the 1x15 versions (still own the last one) and they did not struggle with keeping up with whatever volume or noise the guitarist threw at me... Also the drummer had problems with not being able to hear my bass from across the room while during practice.

I originally was interested in and purchasing a combo amp, probably an Ampeg 1x15.. but when I saw the Ampeg Micro VR stack I was sold because I wanted something to be able to fit in my everyday car (small 2 seat convertible with virtually no real trunk space) and because we started a new instrumental side project and I was hoping the Ampeg Micro VR stack would be enough to handle rehearsal and in home practice for this since it's not as extreme as our Death Metal band, also I always known from experience that separate amp & cabinet is always better than a combo... however, this wasn't the case with this product.


but, on a good side note, this has caused me to look elsewhere and today I purchased a new Eden 2x10 cabinet (which isn't that much bigger.. kinda) and will be completing this rig with an Eden WT550 or higher (Check out my post about the current Eden Liquidation that's happening at Sam Ash!)

However once I took brought the new Eden cab home, I didn't feel like taking out my cumbersome full size Ampeg Amp rack to try it out.. so I opted to use the Micro VR and I think I figured out something.. i use to think the micro VR 2x10 cab was the problem or the weakest link and caused the string noise and popping/buzzing, etc.. but I was wrong.. it's the Amp! i tried hooking it up to the Eden and damn, anything above 6 sounds terrible through the more powerful cabinet too.. there's just too much string noise and makes it sound like the speakers are blown exactly like it does with the Ampeg 2x10.

Lastly, I'll be parting with my Micro VR stack (probably tomorrow) as I am currently waiting for the RMA/Return Authorization and return shipping label since I ordered it online last month... But all I have to say is: it was great while it lasted.. it is a brilliant Idea Ampeg had here but when compared to the similar priced and/or similar wattage amps.. it just lacks the performance and sound, especially when having to deal with loud or large room environments..

Also to be kinda Honest, the type of sound the Micro VR makes.. sounds like a $100-150 combo amp when you crank those.. i honestly think they created an under $150 amp combo, separated the amp unit and placed it into it's own housing and make you pay an extra $100-150 for the housing and design.. Did this rather than sourcing the amp from the existing (and great sounding) $300-400 range combos



Basically in my opinion, the only reason to buy this micro stack is 1. because it's cute, 2. it's very light and transportable, 3. it's a show off, 4. great for a child, 5. did I mention all the good complements (by girls) but mostly negative complements (mainly by guys making fun of it) "OH IT'S SO CUTE!".

The current Test rig until I get my new Eden WT Amp:
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#25
flyingfinbar said:
Honestly, and I say this with all due respect, I think you expected a little too much out of a 200watt solid state amp.
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Mod something like the Genz Benz Streamliner 900 to work in the housing.....THAT would be killer!

I will say, that is a killer looking little rig!
Would be funny to have like 6 cabs and 3 heads on stage!
 
#28
flyingfinbar said:
Honestly, and I say this with all due respect, I think you expected a little too much out of a 200watt solid state amp.
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however as I stated, you can use any of Ampeg's similar wattage combos and find those to be superior in both sound and high volume.

It being 200 Watts isn't an excuse for poor volume and sound. even their 100-150 watt combos don't have a problem with shaking items off shelves...
 
#30
Well, I am going to go ahead and pull the trigger on another SVT210 cab and the EBS Valve drive tuesday when I get paid. I may still pick up a 1x15 at some point in the future for more versatility, but I think the Micro VR with two cabs and the Valve Drive is going to be a pretty beastly (and exceedingly versatile) little setup for what I will be doing. One review of the Micro VR that I read hooked it up to some measuring equipment, and they said their model was putting out 260 watts RMS, as opposed to the 200 that it is rated at. This is pretty believable, considering that the impedance drops to 4 ohms at this point.
 
#33
tsunami1052 said:
EBS Valve Drive is nice, but $300. I got tired of waiting for a used one and purchased a used TubeWorks Blue Tube, droped in a 12AU7 tube - warm chewy tube tone for around $100.

Running one svt-210av is some weak sauce - two is the only way to go!
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not really. i use one and i'm fine with it. of course, two is better, but one gets the job done for me.
 
#34
I dont have the amp, but I have the cab. It has much less bottom bloom than any cab I have used, and I tend to use 10" speakers most of the time. I don't mean that it rolls off on the E string, and can't handle the D, it just doesn't seem to get muddy or boomy when you are down there. To me, it sounds like the E is just as loud as any other note. No shrill tweeter either. All notes seem about the same volume to me. It's much smaller than most 2x10s and its sealed. It should be used in multiples if you don't have PA support. You will need at least 2, and maybe 3 or 4 without PA support. Before you do that, make sure you like how an SVT 810E sounds.
It's not a super loud cab on its own, but it has a sound that I have been looking for, and I just use it for a stage monitor. Its a perfect match with a GK MB200. Its plenty loud at half volume as a monitor, but hasn't complained when I turn it almost all the way up just to see the rig limits.
The 2 micro VR amps I tried in the past both could be turned up almost to max without getting distorted. One was on a SVR210AV at 8 ohms, and one was running a 410HLF at 4 ohms.
Wes
 
#35
I gigged the Micro SVT with two 210AV cabs for a while, and really enjoyed it.
With two cabs, it was loud enough for the bands I play in, but we're not "stupid loud."
We use one, or two, Bose Sticks for PA, and they get fed only vocals.

Yes, the 210AV isn't a "deep cab," but, it and the Micro AV to a *great job* at representing the tone they're designed for.

The two 210AV cabs, stacked vertically, make a great line array that gets your sound up in your ears and out into a room very effectively.

If it were me, and I liked the baseline tone of the Micro/AV rig, but "just wanted more; I'd add a second cab.

There are many, many little tube pre's; and many, many pedals that can add various degrees of phat, grit, overdrive. If you need to add that flavor, that's something you need to explore independent of the rig itself as it's totally not designed to do that.

IMO, you'll never get tired of having that much rig, without "that much weight" when it's time to load out. Micro AV+ two 210AV's is quite a nice little dealio, that really outperforms it's size and cost...

Another alternative that might work for you is a Mesa Walkabout and two 210 AV's. That will add a lot of that tube flavor you want, and the Walkabout pairs nicely with those cabs.

However, if you want bigger, heavier low end, you need to exit that rig altogether and go somewhere else. That rig "ain't about that."
 
#39
Tacopastorius said:
The Micro VR is plenty powerful for what it is... I am not trying to play metal here.
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any style really, but i guess it depends on the power requirements of the speaker..

When i hooked my micro vr to my eden 2x10 it wasn't a great experience (wasn't able to fully power it i think and was too fuzzy).. but it sounds great with it's Ampeg 210AV, so with two, i think would be an even more awesome sound :)!
 

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