Amps
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,618
Likes: 10,437
From: Des moines IA
This topic surely shouldn't be controversial, continuously debated or open to interpretation. This isn't a subjective comparison like, what's the best speaker.
For example...When you side by side test amps rated at 175w per channel and amp 1 outputs 190w but has horrible wave patterns on the O scope starting at 135w, I'm not impressed.
Now check amp 2, it outputs right at rated power of 175w and retains a clean wave pattern all the way, that's the amp I want.
Can you hear the difference at 65mph, maybe not. But I can absolutely hear the difference while static or low speed.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 15
Originally Posted by Fireball Jack;[url=tel:20253857
20253857[/url]]A lot of old school guys still use Tube Amps. Peavy has started making them again and I am sure Ted Nugent uses a tube amp. A solid state amp just doesn't have that crunch.
I have a basement full of amps, including Marshalls, Peavey's, Traynors, Mesas, etc.... all tube.
I also have a few solidstate amps. Very few solidstate amps will hold their own, tone wise to a tube amp. That being said, not all tube amps are created equal either.
Marshall JCM 800 2203....awesome!
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe....not so awesome, much better after being modded.
Peavey Classic 30 & 50's awesome.
Peavey Ultras....great rock sound!
Peavey Bravos...Awesome tone at lower volumes, but only 25 watts and not quite enough jam for stage use.
Traynor YBA 1's shear power, great tone.
Peavey transtube head, not bad for a solidstate.
Crate Excaliber, great sounding rock head, solid state.
Most other Solidstate Crate amps are terrible.
Roland cube, modeling amps, decent tone for solidstate amps.
There is definately differences in tone, warmth, harshness, in different amps.
The same goes for home audio amps. A Nikko power amp has a very unique tone compared to a Kenwood.
Same goes for Rotel, Adcom, Bryston, Hafler, Yamaha, Carven, NAD, although subtle changes are not always obvious, a better bass response and warmth can be heard in certain amps.
I know not everyone will agree there are differences between all amps, but there are certain amps that will stand out, even in blind tests.
Even on a motorcycle, I have noticed different tone characteristics between amps. Although it may be partially due to different wattages, the tonal difference was definately obvious between a Stinger and a Massive TX48 I have used on my old bike.
Stinger was definately warmer sounding with Mmats at 100 watts, vs The TX48 at 140 watts, which sound harsher, even at lower volume.
I also have a few solidstate amps. Very few solidstate amps will hold their own, tone wise to a tube amp. That being said, not all tube amps are created equal either.
Marshall JCM 800 2203....awesome!
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe....not so awesome, much better after being modded.
Peavey Classic 30 & 50's awesome.
Peavey Ultras....great rock sound!
Peavey Bravos...Awesome tone at lower volumes, but only 25 watts and not quite enough jam for stage use.
Traynor YBA 1's shear power, great tone.
Peavey transtube head, not bad for a solidstate.
Crate Excaliber, great sounding rock head, solid state.
Most other Solidstate Crate amps are terrible.
Roland cube, modeling amps, decent tone for solidstate amps.
There is definately differences in tone, warmth, harshness, in different amps.
The same goes for home audio amps. A Nikko power amp has a very unique tone compared to a Kenwood.
Same goes for Rotel, Adcom, Bryston, Hafler, Yamaha, Carven, NAD, although subtle changes are not always obvious, a better bass response and warmth can be heard in certain amps.
I know not everyone will agree there are differences between all amps, but there are certain amps that will stand out, even in blind tests.
Even on a motorcycle, I have noticed different tone characteristics between amps. Although it may be partially due to different wattages, the tonal difference was definately obvious between a Stinger and a Massive TX48 I have used on my old bike.
Stinger was definately warmer sounding with Mmats at 100 watts, vs The TX48 at 140 watts, which sound harsher, even at lower volume.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,618
Likes: 10,437
From: Des moines IA
I'll say it....
JL makes the cleanest, warmest amp I've ever heard and tested. They may not be the most powerful amp and don't work in all setups, but if 150-175w is your target, it's the *****.
I've tested, used and heard almost all the amps recommended for bikes on this forum and FB. Some amps just work better for certain applications.
JL makes the cleanest, warmest amp I've ever heard and tested. They may not be the most powerful amp and don't work in all setups, but if 150-175w is your target, it's the *****.
I've tested, used and heard almost all the amps recommended for bikes on this forum and FB. Some amps just work better for certain applications.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 15
I have a basement full of amps, including Marshalls, Peavey's, Traynors, Mesas, etc.... all tube.
I also have a few solidstate amps. Very few solidstate amps will hold their own, tone wise to a tube amp. That being said, not all tube amps are created equal either.
Marshall JCM 800 2203....awesome!
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe....not so awesome, much better after being modded.
Peavey Classic 30 & 50's awesome.
Peavey Ultras....great rock sound!
Peavey Bravos...Awesome tone at lower volumes, but only 25 watts and not quite enough jam for stage use.
Traynor YBA 1's shear power, great tone.
Peavey transtube head, not bad for a solidstate.
Crate Excaliber, great sounding rock head, solid state.
Most other Solidstate Crate amps are terrible.
Roland cube, modeling amps, decent tone for solidstate amps.
There is definately differences in tone, warmth, harshness, in different amps.
The same goes for home audio amps. A Nikko power amp has a very unique tone compared to a Kenwood.
Same goes for Rotel, Adcom, Bryston, Hafler, Yamaha, Carven, NAD, although subtle changes are not always obvious, a better bass response and warmth can be heard in certain amps.
I know not everyone will agree there are differences between all amps, but there are certain amps that will stand out, even in blind tests.
Even on a motorcycle, I have noticed different tone characteristics between amps. Although it may be partially due to different wattages, the tonal difference was definately obvious between a Stinger and a Massive TX48 I have used on my old bike.
Stinger was definately warmer sounding with Mmats at 100 watts, vs The TX48 at 140 watts, which sound harsher, even at lower volume.
I also have a few solidstate amps. Very few solidstate amps will hold their own, tone wise to a tube amp. That being said, not all tube amps are created equal either.
Marshall JCM 800 2203....awesome!
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe....not so awesome, much better after being modded.
Peavey Classic 30 & 50's awesome.
Peavey Ultras....great rock sound!
Peavey Bravos...Awesome tone at lower volumes, but only 25 watts and not quite enough jam for stage use.
Traynor YBA 1's shear power, great tone.
Peavey transtube head, not bad for a solidstate.
Crate Excaliber, great sounding rock head, solid state.
Most other Solidstate Crate amps are terrible.
Roland cube, modeling amps, decent tone for solidstate amps.
There is definately differences in tone, warmth, harshness, in different amps.
The same goes for home audio amps. A Nikko power amp has a very unique tone compared to a Kenwood.
Same goes for Rotel, Adcom, Bryston, Hafler, Yamaha, Carven, NAD, although subtle changes are not always obvious, a better bass response and warmth can be heard in certain amps.
I know not everyone will agree there are differences between all amps, but there are certain amps that will stand out, even in blind tests.
Even on a motorcycle, I have noticed different tone characteristics between amps. Although it may be partially due to different wattages, the tonal difference was definately obvious between a Stinger and a Massive TX48 I have used on my old bike.
Stinger was definately warmer sounding with Mmats at 100 watts, vs The TX48 at 140 watts, which sound harsher, even at lower volume.
Correct me if Im wrong, but with tube amps you really have to get those tubes glowing ( hot, warmed up, whatever you want to call it ). They have to run. Thats when you get those characteristics of what they can offer. Cant baby them, you wont get a true idea of what you have. I think the same is true of some of the amps mentioned here that we all use. Have to run them, smart and safe of course...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
