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Published on 11/22/07 at 09:59
It's a solid-state power amp with tube simulation. It's a 2U rack design, manufactured in the US in the '90s.
It can be used in stereo (up to 2*150W) or mono (up to 300W). The output power depends on the impedance of the speaker connected.
Connections and controls:
Rear: 1 input and 2 outputs per channel. 1 mono/stereo switch
Front: On/off switch, Level and Reactance for each channel; power LED, clipping LED per channel, over voltage LED. According to the manual, it's almost indestructible. So much the better.
In short, it's austere, but with all the basics. A power amp doesn't need anything more....except maybe a Presence control.
UTILIZATION
It's very easy to use: You turn it on, turn the Level control and it rocks!
I looked at the manual on Rocktron's website. As usual, it's clear, detailed...
and it explains well the technology used in the amp. In fact, it's not a "normal" solid-state amp. I'm not a pro in this domain, but it's nevertheless nice to know how the things you use work.
SOUNDS
The most important point!
In this case, we need to compare the sounds this amp produces with those of a tube amp to see if the "emulation" works as indicated.
I compared it to my Classic 50/50.
With Reactance set to 0:
I had to review the settings already! It sounds good as a pure solid-state amp. But the advantage, compared to tubes, is that it will work fine even at low volumes. In that sense, there's no discussion!
With Reactance set to max:
The sound is closer to a tube amp, it's pretty impressive. The sounds gains depth, "smoothness," thickness... Again, you can get a typical tube sound at low volumes.
The sound is supposed to get better as you increase the volume. I'll tell you if that's true after tomorrow's rehearsal
8 for the time being, we'll see tomorrow...
Update: 11/22/07:>
OK, I tested it during two rehearsals with my two preamps... It sounds f**king amazing. I noticed that you need to adapt the reactance depending on the preamp connected. With the Tubefex, it's enough to set the reactance halfway to get "the sound." However, with the Piranha, I had to set it to max...
OVERALL OPINION
I just got it today. I'm under its spell!
It has plenty of advantages:
- No maintenance because it's solid-state.. I don't want to spend any money on tubes (even if it's not that often). In this case I know it will always work.
- Voltage overload protection circuit, anti-"pop" system when you turn it on, the fan starts only when needed... In short, it's well thought-out as a whole.
- Lighter than my Classic 50/50 which breaks my back in its rack.
- Solid: I had never seen such a thick metal unit.
- The Reactance pot, which allows you to make sound vary a lot. I actually ask myself if I'll ever use my other power amp again, since I can easily get a comparable sound.
The cons:
Still looking...
I just got it, so I can't be too objective, but I haven't found anything bad right now...
I give it 8, but I will review my mark later.
It can be used in stereo (up to 2*150W) or mono (up to 300W). The output power depends on the impedance of the speaker connected.
Connections and controls:
Rear: 1 input and 2 outputs per channel. 1 mono/stereo switch
Front: On/off switch, Level and Reactance for each channel; power LED, clipping LED per channel, over voltage LED. According to the manual, it's almost indestructible. So much the better.
In short, it's austere, but with all the basics. A power amp doesn't need anything more....except maybe a Presence control.
UTILIZATION
It's very easy to use: You turn it on, turn the Level control and it rocks!
I looked at the manual on Rocktron's website. As usual, it's clear, detailed...
and it explains well the technology used in the amp. In fact, it's not a "normal" solid-state amp. I'm not a pro in this domain, but it's nevertheless nice to know how the things you use work.
SOUNDS
The most important point!
In this case, we need to compare the sounds this amp produces with those of a tube amp to see if the "emulation" works as indicated.
I compared it to my Classic 50/50.
With Reactance set to 0:
I had to review the settings already! It sounds good as a pure solid-state amp. But the advantage, compared to tubes, is that it will work fine even at low volumes. In that sense, there's no discussion!
With Reactance set to max:
The sound is closer to a tube amp, it's pretty impressive. The sounds gains depth, "smoothness," thickness... Again, you can get a typical tube sound at low volumes.
The sound is supposed to get better as you increase the volume. I'll tell you if that's true after tomorrow's rehearsal
8 for the time being, we'll see tomorrow...
Update: 11/22/07:>
OK, I tested it during two rehearsals with my two preamps... It sounds f**king amazing. I noticed that you need to adapt the reactance depending on the preamp connected. With the Tubefex, it's enough to set the reactance halfway to get "the sound." However, with the Piranha, I had to set it to max...
OVERALL OPINION
I just got it today. I'm under its spell!
It has plenty of advantages:
- No maintenance because it's solid-state.. I don't want to spend any money on tubes (even if it's not that often). In this case I know it will always work.
- Voltage overload protection circuit, anti-"pop" system when you turn it on, the fan starts only when needed... In short, it's well thought-out as a whole.
- Lighter than my Classic 50/50 which breaks my back in its rack.
- Solid: I had never seen such a thick metal unit.
- The Reactance pot, which allows you to make sound vary a lot. I actually ask myself if I'll ever use my other power amp again, since I can easily get a comparable sound.
The cons:
Still looking...
I just got it, so I can't be too objective, but I haven't found anything bad right now...
I give it 8, but I will review my mark later.