Diezel Hagen

I will use the features added by my colleague below with a small caveat:
Output: 100 Watts, biasable in pairs (2 trimmers)
Channels: 4 individual channels: clean, crunch, mega, lead
Loops: 3, twelve o'clock one switchable serial, serial and has a permanent perm. parallel loop (with ctrl volume)
Equalization: each channel with gain, volume, treble, mids and bass, 2 master volumes, presence, depth
Preamp: 12AX7 High Grade 6
Poweramp: 4 TAD KT77
Dimensions: 74x29x28 cm
Weight: 24kg
My amp came with TAD KT77 power, according to Peter Diezel they are more reliable and more punchy than the EL34.
I cependant4 regret, not very serious, but that make the amp is not perfect:
- Insert loops per channel as the VH4: this is a killer feature of the VH4 is a shame not to find them on the Hagen
- Only a series of loops is MIDI controllable, it would have been interesting to also allow to control the parallel loop (this is possible, but with a trick)
- No management control change in the MIDI implementation, it would have been interesting to enable / disable the loop example without changing the preset
- The MIDI out is fed to pins 1 & 3 plus 6 & 7, which can damage certain devices, including pedal MIDI, it must be very careful with that.
In all cases these are not insurmountable problems fortunately.
Otherwise, it's built like a tank, the head has a mouth terrible, it's all good.

UTILIZATION

This amp is a very simple set. The 4 channels are independent, with regulation of gain, volume, treble, mid, bass and presence settings, depth, a master volume and master volume 2 are common to all channels.
The settings are very reactive, a few millimeters sometimes change at all at all, but again there is nothing complicated in the settings, do not be afraid to ca.
The manual is clear, it contains some interesting tricks (how "midifier" the parallel loop for example), but there is anyway not rocket science.
You can record up to 128 presets with MIDI channel selected, the loop enclanchée or not, the master volume mute and possibly selected. Channel settings, they are not saved.

SOUNDS

We enter the heart of the matter. My current config: ESP Eclipse II with EMG Kit JH-set, cab Diezel V30 FL 212, TC Electronic Flashback in the parallel loop.
Channel 1: a perfect example of where multi-channel high gain amp does not mean clean swept under the carpet. This channel has a lot of headroom, even perhaps too much for some, it is difficult to cruncher. That said, I prefer the clean clean so no worries There are lots of bass, he deserved to be a little brighter, so that I cut quite low and increases treble.
Channel 2: THE big surprise of this amp. When I bought my Hagen I planned in the near future to take me an amp Marshallisant for rock / hard rock, and keep your head Diezel more excited for the stuff. Not at all. This channel is a true revelation, which goes from clean to a disto crunchisant enough for a big chunk of metal production. It sounds a little more modern than a JCM800 for example, but it is not unpleasant, far from it. I no longer buy another head, and this is also the channel where I spent as much time lately ... one that interested me the least on paper. This channel it could be an amp by itself.
Channel 3: we enter a land best known one, as fans and especially Diezel VH4 appreciate. We go from big crunch to the very large distortion, it sounds modern but more open than the VH4, but also more fit in there. The sound is there, no draft, the palm mutes to take guts (thank you also to the fantastic cab Diezel!), It is pure happiness. I waited for this sound for years. I set the gain to 13h, it is already sufficient to aaaaaamplement 90% of metalheads.
Channel 4: even heavier, fatter, the headroom is monstrous. A real treat for lead guitarist. I love this channel digital delay with a fairly short loop in the parallel story down a bit and gain even more advantage of the qualities of this channel. Another interesting use is to lower the gain around 11 and make a great rhythm channel, thicker than channel 3.
What is impressive in this head is the number of its opportunities. A channel is not necessarily dedicated to one role, they are extremely versatile. 4 channels, but more than four sounds.

OVERALL OPINION

I purchased the Hagen solely on the basis of tests and opinions on the internet, I already had the opportunity to test the Einstein and VH4 so I knew roughly what to expect ... and I'm not disappointed. Oooooh not.
I will not use clichés such as "the ultimate amp", "the last amp of my life" because I hope we will find even better in the future: D But the bar is VERY high today.
This amp is a very, very expensive, it's an investment, but the build quality and sound quality are quickly forget it. It should against a coherent chain, cab, cables, etc., otherwise it's a waste.
The final grade will be 9 in fact it would have to be the 9.5, but you can not its level is at the limit of perfection, only a few small points raised already from achieving a perfect score.