They're really similar. You can pretty much dial in the sound of the SS-100 with the BE-100 Deluxe since it's such a flexible amp with all of its voicing options. I don't know that I'd say the SS has anymore snap or kerrang vs the DLX. If you're at ear level with your speakers both amps are capable of a ton of snap/high end content, so that might just be a factor of hearing the amp mic'd up. If you have the BE-100 Deluxe on the high gain structure switch setting (the default BE Channel sound) and all other switch settings turned off to their default position, I'd say the BE has a tiny bit more top end presence and a bit more focused bottom end. The SS has a bit more low-mid content to my ears, almost like you turned on the FAT switch on the BE-100 deluxe, not the same, but in the ball park. Maybe slightly more vintage voiced? Hard to describe this level of tone nuance, and I don't want to speak for any manufacturer, this is just my interpretation.What is your take on the difference in tone on the gain channel of the SS-100 and the BE DLX? I have the BE DLX and to me the SS-100 has more "snap" and "kerrang" to the tone, definitely more open and less compressed.
Yes, the original SS-100 has a Line Out and Effects Loop Return Volume. I think the System Volume on the BE-100 Deluxe is functioning in the same way as the Loop Return Volume.Whats the difference in V1 and V2? Did V1 have the line out and effects loop level? If so, those are features I wish my BE100 Dlx had. Those would come in very handy.
Ah, I just meant in the sense that if you adjust the system volume on the BE-100 Deluxe it'll adjust the volume of all channels evenly which is also true of the Return Level control on the SS-100.I asked Friedman and he said SS went from a rack setup that needed a line out to a 2 head stereo setup with pedals. That eliminated the need for line out. But I think this is a great feature. Id really like to have loop on/off, return level, and line out w/ level. That makes a lot of sense to me for many reasons.
As for system volume acting as return level, I dont think thats true but I never tried it either. You would have to constantly adjust the master and system if it did.