There are tons of good reviews on this thing. But I can't find anything anywhere about what's inside the bastard. Is it digital or analog?
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What's Aguilar AG 500SC stuffed with?
- Thread starter random fat guy
- Start date
There are tons of good reviews on this thing. But I can't find anything anywhere about what's inside the bastard. Is it digital or analog?
Both actually. The TDA chip has been discontinued for a little while though. I wonder if they have since replaced that circuit??
Well, more importantly - it has a real transformer. The amp weighs about 15 lbs., and kicks like a mule. A pretty good all round performer, it works well with a lot of different basses. It does tend to impart an "Aguilar" flavour to the sound of your instruments, but not the way the DB359 does, it's more neutral that. These can be bought for a pretty reasonable price used, and it won't cost you very much - if anything - to buy one used, try it out for a bit, and then flip it if it's not working for you.
Oh yeah, the power amp is digital. Not sure if the preamp is analog (I used to know when I owned one
), but I believe the power supply is a non-switching design, and the amp has many tonal characteristics of a led sled without much of the weight. All in all a nice amp.
Oh yeah, the power amp is digital. Not sure if the preamp is analog (I used to know when I owned one
), but I believe the power supply is a non-switching design, and the amp has many tonal characteristics of a led sled without much of the weight. All in all a nice amp.
If I remember correctly, this amp has a traditional transformer and a class D power amp. Shouldn't really matter to the buyer... you either dig it or not, and the amp performs similarly to other 500 or so watt offerings of various designs and topologies.
The Class D with toroidal transformer thing was popular for a while when this amp came out, since many felt that the switching power supplies that were then available did not quite provide the wump down low when compared to the heavier, traditional power supplies. The old iAmp800 and the Epifani 502 (or whatever that was called) had this design, and it was an attempt to reduce weight without totally going what most call 'digital' as shorthand.. class D/SMPS.
Those days are long gone IMO, and EA and Epifani have moved to SMPS with their newer amps.
Interestingly, one of the most popular amps in the last 5 years or so, the Markbass LMII, uses exactly the opposite design... SMPS with a more traditional class A/B power amp. Lots of ways to 'skin the cat' at this point, and they all sound great if executed well.
Again.... my memory might be wrong, but looking at the gut shot above seems to indicate the class D/toroidal design to my layman's eyes.
The Class D with toroidal transformer thing was popular for a while when this amp came out, since many felt that the switching power supplies that were then available did not quite provide the wump down low when compared to the heavier, traditional power supplies. The old iAmp800 and the Epifani 502 (or whatever that was called) had this design, and it was an attempt to reduce weight without totally going what most call 'digital' as shorthand.. class D/SMPS.
Those days are long gone IMO, and EA and Epifani have moved to SMPS with their newer amps.
Interestingly, one of the most popular amps in the last 5 years or so, the Markbass LMII, uses exactly the opposite design... SMPS with a more traditional class A/B power amp. Lots of ways to 'skin the cat' at this point, and they all sound great if executed well.
Again.... my memory might be wrong, but looking at the gut shot above seems to indicate the class D/toroidal design to my layman's eyes.
What do you mean by 'better'. Again, at this point, there is little difference in performance across amp topologies and power supplies. Buy a head that is voiced the way you like it, and is as loud as you need it.
The M6 sounds quite different from the AG500... brighter, bigger down low, more aggressive in the upper mids.
That's what I wanted to hear actually. Anyways I'm going to get an Aguilar and post some kind of report.
By 'better' I mean no digital stuff insidefor same price
Again, IMO, you would be making a big mistake by eliminating amps that have either a class D or SMPS as part of their design.
There is no 'class D' sound, and switch mode power supplies are now pretty much matching the big iron, if you hold everything else constant.
You mean you guys can't hear any high frequency buzz in the tweeters from the switching power supplies anymore? I haven't tried any of the "micro" heads out yet but read of a quiet switching PS buzz in the extreme upper frequencies. Not true? I might have to audition one now.
Listen with your ears - not with your eyes or with specs.....
FWIW, I prefer stouffers with sausage and walnuts.
FWIW, I prefer stouffers with sausage and walnuts.
