16 Ohm Tap vs. 8 or 4 Ohms

[se7en]

I know this is probably dependent on the amp, but have you guys noticed any difference in feel or sound between the various taps (when properly matched)?

 

[FourT6and2]

Yep. Each one uses a different amount of the OT windings. So there is a slight difference in tone and volume.

 

[cardinal]

With an SLO and VH4, I didn't notice much. In a blind test, not sure I could tell. Makes a dramatic difference with a Triple Recto, though.

 

[se7en]

Yep. Each one uses a different amount of the OT windings. So there is a slight difference in tone and volume.

I heard the volume was the same, because that has to do with speaker sensitivity and not ohms, but that the feel and consequently the tone might be different.

 

[FourT6and2]

Yep. Each one uses a different amount of the OT windings. So there is a slight difference in tone and volume.

I heard the volume was the same, because that has to do with speaker sensitivity and not ohms, but that the feel and consequently the tone might be different.

Volume difference may be more with impedance mismatch.

 

[glpg80]

Volume difference may be more with impedance mismatch.

This^

All depends on the design of the transformer as far as any tonal aspects that the OP is referencing

 

[The Traveller]

I know my Roadster sounds better with an 8 ohm cab than a 16 ohm cab.

 

[se7en]

I know my Roadster sounds better with an 8 ohm cab than a 16 ohm cab.

Yeah it seems Mesa likes 8 ohms, Fender preferred 4 ohms and a lot of British and boutique derivatives lean towards 16.

 

[aulo]

I had my Bones going at 8 for the longest time. Recently set it to 16 and haven't looked back... it's something that I can't quite put my finger on, but there's a level of depth I hadn't picked up on before. It feeds back a little better, too.

 

[steve_k]

Sure, there's always a tonal difference.

 

[Shark Diver]

I asked this a while ago. I wish the LIVE could be set to different Ohms so I could leave everything else the same and try to figure it out. I mean switching cabs to test different Ohms adds too many variables to say what is really effecting the tone.

 

[steve_k]

I asked this a while ago. I wish the LIVE could be set to different Ohms so I could leave everything else the same and try to figure it out. I mean switching cabs to test different Ohms adds too many variables to say what is really effecting the tone.

At volume, 16 ohms is going to be a bit more lows and more rounded volume. The move toward less ohms will give you less, with more mid-emphasis.

Just depends on what you are after. Then again, it is all quite subtle except to gear nerds....

I do everything at 16 ohms per cab for said reasons.

 

[se7en]

Shark/Steve: The reason I asked is because I received a Torpedo Live last week and yes, only have the option for 8 ohms. I dont think the difference is huge, but I had a feeling something was different than my XTC 4x12 @ 16 ohms. The feel and tone seem more in line with the 8 ohm Bogner 2x12 I have and I always preferred my 4x12. Once again, not a big difference, but it's there. The feel on the Live is still pretty damn good, but I can't help but wonder how much harder it would be to have multiple ohm inputs on the device.

 

[steve_k]

Shark/Steve: The reason I asked is because I received a Torpedo Live last week and yes, only have the option for 8 ohms. I dont think the difference is huge, but I had a feeling something was different than my XTC 4x12 @ 16 ohms. The feel and tone seem more in line with the 8 ohm Bogner 2x12 I have and I always preferred my 4x12. Once again, not a big difference, but it's there. The feel on the Live is still pretty damn good, but I can't help but wonder how much harder it would be to have multiple ohm inputs on the device.

Just to make sure I understand you, running the TNTL direct without a cab at 8 ohms and into a DAW or output to a PA?

If you are running the TNTL and a cab, you can use the cab ohms since the load is bypassed in the Torpedo.

 

[Ventura]

Shark/Steve: The reason I asked is because I received a Torpedo Live last week and yes, only have the option for 8 ohms. I dont think the difference is huge, but I had a feeling something was different than my XTC 4x12 @ 16 ohms. The feel and tone seem more in line with the 8 ohm Bogner 2x12 I have and I always preferred my 4x12. Once again, not a big difference, but it's there. The feel on the Live is still pretty damn good, but I can't help but wonder how much harder it would be to have multiple ohm inputs on the device.

Just to make sure I understand you, running the TNTL direct without a cab at 8 ohms and into a DAW or output to a PA?

If you are running the TNTL and a cab, you can use the cab ohms since the load is bypassed in the Torpedo.

Se7en and I have been chatting - I think it's more he's forced to use the 8ohm out on his amp(s) to the TNTL for recording purposes as opposed to having the option of 16ohm out from amp to TNTL. The TNTL in both instances is the load, not a thru-to-cab.

Personally, as per my post on the TN forum, I'd love to see the Live get multi-impedance capabilities, or, the VB getting a reactive load with multi-impedance capabilities. They'd have it all covered with those 2 evolutions in their products IMHO.

 

[TheMagicEight]

I know this is probably dependent on the amp, but have you guys noticed any difference in feel or sound between the various taps (when properly matched)?

Only a little. For me, it's the 4 ohm tap where it's noticeable. At 4 ohms (vs 16), you're only using 1/4 the transformer. So there will be more losses, which manifests itself in a decreased low and high frequency response.

I generally try to use the entire output transformer. With most amps, that means 16 ohms. With some Mesa Boogies, the 16 ohm tap is actually connected to the 8 ohm tap on the transformer (8 ohms is the entire transformer and 16 ohms is a mismatch). Not sure if they're still doing that, but I'm fairly certain that with the older Rectifiers, this was the case.

 

[se7en]

Shark/Steve: The reason I asked is because I received a Torpedo Live last week and yes, only have the option for 8 ohms. I dont think the difference is huge, but I had a feeling something was different than my XTC 4x12 @ 16 ohms. The feel and tone seem more in line with the 8 ohm Bogner 2x12 I have and I always preferred my 4x12. Once again, not a big difference, but it's there. The feel on the Live is still pretty damn good, but I can't help but wonder how much harder it would be to have multiple ohm inputs on the device.

Just to make sure I understand you, running the TNTL direct without a cab at 8 ohms and into a DAW or output to a PA?

If you are running the TNTL and a cab, you can use the cab ohms since the load is bypassed in the Torpedo.

Se7en and I have been chatting - I think it's more he's forced to use the 8ohm out on his amp(s) to the TNTL for recording purposes as opposed to having the option of 16ohm out from amp to TNTL. The TNTL in both instances is the load, not a thru-to-cab.

Personally, as per my post on the TN forum, I'd love to see the Live get multi-impedance capabilities, or, the VB getting a reactive load with multi-impedance capabilities. They'd have it all covered with those 2 evolutions in their products IMHO.

Like Ventura said, I really hope Two Notes makes the modifications to the Live and VB-101 to allow for multi impedance and if they would make the VB-101 with a reactive load I'd probably spring for the more expensive product. That said, the Live is a great device and is very realistic compared to other IR's I've tried. I just obsess over the finer details.