Genzler Kinetix 800 NAD! Will post a review and such

[SteveC]

It was a tough call for me, I really dug the Kinetix. But the 350 combo and an extension fit my needs and my budget. If the budget gets a bit bigger, I might have to snag a Kinetix for those times. Would go good with the BA210 and BA-10 II.

Right. My paid for MG350/112T-V combo is a marvelous amp. It's loud, full, light and sounds great. I have a Khan tube DI I can use in front of my MG350 I suppose for the few times I use it.

 

[Cleezmo]

Very informative thread, thanks OP!

One question I haven't seen addressed - there isn't a typical Active/Passive switch, but there is a Mute/On/Boost switch. Would you say this works in reverse of the normal passive/active DB cut? Generally the Active cut is 8-15dbs, and I see the Boost is +8db, so wondering if you'd use On for an active or otherwise high-output bass, and the Boost for a passive bass? Or is the intent of Boost to get a bit more grit in the input signal if you're going for a more grindy or OD tone?

 

[logdrum]

I got a Streamliner 600 that had an issue with the power section but the preamp was intact and quite. Sent it to Andy for diagnostic and possible repair. Here's a thought about the roundness maybe even sponginess of the pre-amp. of the SL How about adding a GEQ or multi para before the power section? Because that's what I did with a Source Audio EQ2 and it added a different dimension. The power amp I used was an Acoustic Image Focus 2R which is 1000 watts capable and used my friends Bergantino 610. All I did was the bands of a Mesa 400+ GEQ plus HPF and suddenly the sound was tighter and added additional sculpting to modernize it a bit.

It looks like the frequency band of the Kinetix and the additional MID EQ and voicing switches make it easier to dial compared to the non intuitive approach of the Streamliner and the other intrinsic tendency of the EQ

 

[Jeff Genzler]

Very informative thread, thanks OP!

One question I haven't seen addressed - there isn't a typical Active/Passive switch, but there is a Mute/On/Boost switch. Would you say this works in reverse of the normal passive/active DB cut? Generally the Active cut is 8-15dbs, and I see the Boost is +8db, so wondering if you'd use On for an active or otherwise high-output bass, and the Boost for a passive bass? Or is the intent of Boost to get a bit more grit in the input signal if you're going for a more grindy or OD tone?

@ Cleezmo ---- Regarding your question, there is not the typical Active/Passive switch because the input stage offers a variable Gain/Volume control thus allowing you to run your gain lower / volume higher for hotter basses, and both controls more evenly for more passive basses. The Boost Switch does add another gain stage, which can offer you more overdriven tones --- BUT the Kinetix offers even more clean, dynamic performance when the Boost is engaged, but you continue to run the input stage towards the cleaner settings (Gain control lower, Volume control higher. Of course the Master Volume is there to increase your overall output once you have your gain settings where you like them.
Hope this helps.

 

[hennessybass]

The Boost Switch does add another gain stage, which can offer you more overdriven tones --- BUT the Kinetix offers even more clean, dynamic performance when the Boost is engaged, but you continue to run the input stage towards the cleaner settings.

Interesting. I never really thought about that (at least with my Streamliner).
I'm gonna try that with my Streamliner and see what kind of results I get.

 

[smeet]

I tried the Magellen, and did not dig it (no offense to anyone who is involved with that amp). I thought it had a very strong voice - very unique to that amp - that was always present.

That was kind of my experience too. It sounded very good, very full, but my different basses all seemed to sound very similar to each other through it. I would describe its voice as a sort of “thickness”, not in a tubey way. A sold state thickness that I couldn’t eq out.

I wonder if the Kinetix has that same thickness.

 

[Cleezmo]

@ Cleezmo ---- Regarding your question, there is not the typical Active/Passive switch because the input stage offers a variable Gain/Volume control thus allowing you to run your gain lower / volume higher for hotter basses, and both controls more evenly for more passive basses. The Boost Switch does add another gain stage, which can offer you more overdriven tones --- BUT the Kinetix offers even more clean, dynamic performance when the Boost is engaged, but you continue to run the input stage towards the cleaner settings (Gain control lower, Volume control higher. Of course the Master Volume is there to increase your overall output once you have your gain settings where you like them.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for the explanation!

 

[hasbeen]

Thanks Roger, Lots of great insights and descriptions. You've always been one of the best people to translate tone into simple, real-world interpretations.

Thanks Jeff....I'm thrilled to have this amp. Sorry for the late reply but I've been in China for 10 days......and I still am. :-(

 

[PhishPhan22]

Magellan 800 and I’m almost wondering should I sell it and go for the kinetic or can adding good solid preamp tube? Pedals really get me close I mean obviously it will never get to the kinetic tone but I’m guessing for that a lot there was one at my local shop, but it got sold before I could hear it. I love my Magellann so much and the DIL is so amazing in front of House always talks about how my tone is on spot I just really wonder how that kinetic sounds compared to if I just added to preamp pedals would it get me close enough obviously not there fully but I’ll take clothes for now. I love my Gendler stuff. I don’t think I could ever come off at the EQ and features of the Magellan still blows me away. I’m on both channels and the quality of the DI.