Opinions wanted your favorite Class D Amp under $700?

Nicolay3535

Nicolay3535

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Sep 16, 2010
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#1
OK so my Peavey Minimega is kinda starting to crap out on me, there seems to be some kind of issue that gets fixed with a slap or bump.

Next, it's just too much power for what I need at 1,000w, and the tone well I've had better.

So I've given myself a budget of $600 to $700 max and I want to buy brand new not used.

Right now the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500w is at the top of my list, for a couple of reasons. I love it's tone, used one once for a gig, sounds great with my cabs, second it's in my price range, and third It's a very reputable brand with from what I've heard durable.

With that said I'd love to hear any other recommendations that you amazing folks here in TB land could suggest.

I play in cover band that goes from Pearl Jam to salsa to hip hop and right back, basically I need an amp that can do it all. I have a Markbass 2x10 and 1x15, can use ether one on its own for small gigs or both together for venues that require more power.

Now you know where I stand and I'd really appreciate all of you great people's opinions.

Thanks
 
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#3
Nicolay3535 said:
Right now the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500w is at the top of my list, for a couple of reasons. I love it's tone, used one once for a gig, sounds great with my cabs, second it's in my price range, and third It's a very reputable brand with from what I've heard durable.
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I think the Aguilar tone hammer should be at the top of your list. You'll love the tone. If you used one you'd think it sounds great with your cabs. It's also in your price range, and you've heard that it's a very reputable, durable brand.

If you don't listen to me your're just crazy. :thumbsup:
 
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#10
I own and/or have played a lot of the current crop of class D heads and if the Aguilar TH500 sounded good to you, it will honestly be hard to match IMO. I love my TH500 for what it does, but there are times when I need something a little more in Mesa or GK voicing territory. The Aguilar is top end gear from a great company...if it's the sound you like, I'm not sure there will be much out there that does it any better.

If you want a bit of stretch, the Mesa D-800 series is in-between the Aguilar and GK voicing to my ear. You might be surprised with its versatility, but as much as I like mine, I can't quite get it to convince me it's a TH. Good luck with your decision!
 
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#11
Gallien Krueger MB500 or MB500 Fusion. Or MB800.

I bought a used MB200 and MB500 several years ago and have been happy since. I needed feet for my MB200 and a nice guy at GK sent me a set for free, even though I wasn't the original owner.

I'm going to try the Mesa D800 one of these days. The support is excellent (not from experience, but what I read here) and it's top of the line equipment. I guess I'm kind of waiting for my MB500 to die, but it doesn't seem to be giving up the ghost anytime soon! :laugh:
 
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#12
Nicolay3535 said:
OK so my Peavey Minimega is kinda starting to crap out on me, there seems to be some kind of issue that gets fixed with a slap or bump.

Next, it's just too much power for what I need at 1,000w, and the tone well I've had better.

So I've given myself a budget of $600 to $700 max and I want to buy brand new not used.

Right now the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500w is at the top of my list, for a couple of reasons. I love it's tone, used one once for a gig, sounds great with my cabs, second it's in my price range, and third It's a very reputable brand with from what I've heard durable.

With that said I'd love to hear any other recommendations that you amazing folks here in TB land could suggest.

I play in cover band that goes from Pearl Jam to salsa to hip hop and right back, basically I need an amp that can do it all. I have a Markbass 2x10 and 1x15, can use ether one on its own for small gigs or both together for venues that require more power.

Now you know where I stand and I'd really appreciate all of you great people's opinions.

Thanks
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Sad to say that I tried the MiniMax for a couple weeks and it just didn't do it for me. I guess Hartley wanted to "modernize" the sound of the classic American "silver fin" amps and sucked the life right out of the tone. The fan was loud as heck and I bought it mostly for quiet jams. It went back to the vendor, I was sad about the direction Peavey was taking. I know they had to change for the times, but look at all the old Peavey bass amps that are still around and almost the obligatory first amp for any starting bass player needing a cheap first band amp. I wish Hartley would make a premium Made In USA line. I'll bet it would sell...
 
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#16
Nicolay3535 said:
OK so my Peavey Minimega is kinda starting to crap out on me, there seems to be some kind of issue that gets fixed with a slap or bump.

Next, it's just too much power for what I need at 1,000w, and the tone well I've had better.

So I've given myself a budget of $600 to $700 max and I want to buy brand new not used.

Right now the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500w is at the top of my list, for a couple of reasons. I love it's tone, used one once for a gig, sounds great with my cabs, second it's in my price range, and third It's a very reputable brand with from what I've heard durable.

With that said I'd love to hear any other recommendations that you amazing folks here in TB land could suggest.

I play in cover band that goes from Pearl Jam to salsa to hip hop and right back, basically I need an amp that can do it all. I have a Markbass 2x10 and 1x15, can use ether one on its own for small gigs or both together for venues that require more power.

Now you know where I stand and I'd really appreciate all of you great people's opinions.

Thanks
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Gee, I own both Tonehammer and Littlemark lll. Different but both potent units that I'm pleased with. If you have Markbass cabs, they have a great selection of amps. I'd start there.
 
#17
Nicolay3535 said:
OK so my Peavey Minimega is kinda starting to crap out on me, there seems to be some kind of issue that gets fixed with a slap or bump.

Next, it's just too much power for what I need at 1,000w, and the tone well I've had better.

So I've given myself a budget of $600 to $700 max and I want to buy brand new not used.

Right now the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500w is at the top of my list, for a couple of reasons. I love it's tone, used one once for a gig, sounds great with my cabs, second it's in my price range, and third It's a very reputable brand with from what I've heard durable.

With that said I'd love to hear any other recommendations that you amazing folks here in TB land could suggest.

I play in cover band that goes from Pearl Jam to salsa to hip hop and right back, basically I need an amp that can do it all. I have a Markbass 2x10 and 1x15, can use ether one on its own for small gigs or both together for venues that require more power.

Now you know where I stand and I'd really appreciate all of you great people's opinions.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Mesa D800.

That is all
 
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#18
Nicolay3535 said:
Starting to feel that the Mesa D800 might be worth the extra $ due to versatility of tone.
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If you can find a used one, try to get the original bill of sale but even if you can't the warranty is transferable from the date of the build rather than the date of first sale. This might make a used one more appealing.
 
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#20
SJan3 said:
Gee, I own both Tonehammer and Littlemark lll. Different but both potent units that I'm pleased with. If you have Markbass cabs, they have a great selection of amps. I'd start there.
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I'd like too but I don't have the cash to shell out on a Markbass head, and unfortunately those are only offered throu MF or GC and neither have a multiple payment plan unless you take out a credit card with them, which unfortunately isn't an option for me. The cabs were half gift half store credit, and i like them allot for their tone and light weight trans-portability.

Sweetwater makes it a little easier with the any card payment plans so its looking like ether the TH 500 or D800 are the two amps I'm looking at right now.
 
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