Eden Amplification VT-300B

(Originally written by blooopp/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
300-watt all-tube amp (6 x 6550 tubes)

Connections:

- Front panel: two jack inputs (passive and active)

- Rear panel:

>> Three parallel speaker outputs (one Speakon and two jacks) with 4/8 Ohm switches to adjust the output transformer to the connected load.

>> XLR DI output with pre/post and ground lift switches plus level control.

>> Tuner output

>> FX loop with send / return connectors.

>> DIN connector for the included footswitch.

>> AC power socket with fuse holder.

Controls:

- Preamp:

>> Gain control

>> Overdrive switch

>> 4-band EQ (60Hz, 250HZ, 800Hz and 6KHz)

- Power amp

>> 2-band EQ (bass, treble)

>> Master control (plus LED indicator for the compressor)

- Standby and on/off switches.

- Footswitch

>> Mute-to-tune switch

>> Overdrive on/off switch

>> Equalizer on/off switch

>> Compressor on/off switch

>> Damping high/low switch

Very comprehensive settings considering it's a tube amp. The footswitch cable is too short (which isn't that serious).

UTILIZATION

Very easy and intuitive use. Just power on and play.

Effective controls.

Clear and comprehensive user's manual explaining how to get a good sound.

The only disadvantage is the lack of a separate gain control for the overdrive.

SOUNDS

This amp matches every music style without exception. It's extremely versatile.

I use it with my Albedo E bass but I have also tried it out with other instruments. The tubes do add some color to the sound (which is to be expected) but the response is still very faithful to the instrument.

I also use it with effects: fuzz, overdrive and auto-wah. Everything sounds great with this amp. I repeat that it faithfully reproduces the source signal.

This Eden sounds like its solid-state brothers but it can also sound like an Ampeg. I don't think an all-tube SVT can do that too!

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it two years ago on Ebay.

I love its sound, extreme versatility and transparency, its warmth and its typical tube character. You can easily get a twangy sound for slap playing or a very fat and deep dub sound. The device is very heavy but it's normal for a tube amp!

I've tested lots of amps since I started playing bass and I felt in love with the Eden sound.

Buying this amp was a very good deal because it is now discontinued. I wouldn't have had enough money to buy it new but it wasn't very expensive secondhand because the brand is quite unknown. I would buy it again.