Interesting power amp findings

[mctallica1]

I have been using my Axe Fx with both a VHT 2/50/2 and a Carvin DCM600....I use either, depending on my mood.


Over the last several days, I have been A/Bing the 2 power amps pretty extensively trying to decide wether I could just stick with one or the other (actually trying to justify offing the VHT and not having any tubes in my setup )

During this processs, I have been testing at volumes from whisper soft to shaking the foundation.

At high volume, they both sound GREAT and I think the DCM600 holds its own with the VHT very well, with the exception of a very small amount of squish I get from the VHT with the volume at 3 oclock or more and some added thump I can get by increasing the Depth on the VHT. It adds something different from increasing the depth inside the Axe Fx amp modules.


The interesting part to me is...at very low volume, the VHT sounds better. I would have expected exactly the opposite and have been trying to convince myself I am not hearing things properly, but I am certain that at low and medium volume there is a TINY bit of hair around the tone using the Carvin. Not real noticeable unless I am directly A/Bing, but it is there.

The bad thing is that now that I know it is there, I listen for it every time I plug in! GRRRR. Before I did this, I never noticed it.

So....I guess I am keeping the VHT. But I doubt I will sell the Carvin.

 

[The_Kid]

I am looking to sell some gear and travel the axe route as well.

when looking at power amps...what should I look at to compare and decide what I want.

 

[blackba]

I am surprised how popular the Carvin power amps are with the axe-FX users. I figured everyone would pick up a used Crown D-75 over the Carvin SS power amps, especially with was much as their PA gear gets bashed.

 

[mctallica1]

I am surprised how popular the Carvin power amps are with the axe-FX users. I figured everyone would pick up a used Crown D-75 over the Carvin SS power amps, especially with was much as their PA gear gets bashed.

I think the DCM600 is great....everything else they make may be junk for all I know

 

[mctallica1]

I am looking to sell some gear and travel the axe route as well.

when looking at power amps...what should I look at to compare and decide what I want.

Check out the amps and cabs section of the Axe Fx forums. Lots of good info there to help you

http://www.fractalaudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=13

 

[badger71]

I am surprised how popular the Carvin power amps are with the axe-FX users. I figured everyone would pick up a used Crown D-75 over the Carvin SS power amps, especially with was much as their PA gear gets bashed.

I think the DCM600 is great....everything else they make may be junk for all I know

THe DCM600 is great! The whole line is good stuff. My buddy ran his AxeFX through a DCM150 into a Two Rock cabinet (sold his TR after he got the AF) and loved his tones. However, he recently decided to go "all in" and get the QSC powered monitor....no more amps or cabinets for him now.....But he never has anything negative to say about that DCM150.

 

[Juggernaut]

I got the DCM1000 and love it. Been thinking about the DCM150 but wondering how loud it is if I were to play with a loud drummer.... the 1000 is WAY overkill for what I need.

 

[badger71]

I got the DCM1000 and love it. Been thinking about the DCM150 but wondering how loud it is if I were to play with a loud drummer.... the 1000 is WAY overkill for what I need.

I think if you bridge it over to mono, you get it pumped up to 400 watts. I had a DCM600 through a Rocktron Prophesy II into a 2x12 with a loud drummer. Never had any issues.

 

[timbo]

I've read about more problems with VHT's and Mesa poweramps than I ever have about Carvins.

 

[mctallica1]

I am still A/Bing.

If I can get close enough in low volume scenarios, I would love to be completely tubeless, but I am not there yet.

 

[fearhk213]

I've read about more problems with VHT's and Mesa poweramps than I ever have about Carvins.

I've never read that before. What kind of problems are you referring too? I'm strongly considering picking up a VHT 2/90/2 so this kind of info would be good to know.

 

[mctallica1]

I've read about more problems with VHT's and Mesa poweramps than I ever have about Carvins.

I certainly don't think Carvin is bad, but I have never heard bad things about VHT power amps. And my experience is that they are tanks.

 

[Gainzilla]

Im hoping that I the Carvin DCM 150 that I have sounds awesome, will know on Saturday when I hang with Ralphie...

 

[Gainzilla]

Im hoping that I the Carvin DCM 150 that I have sounds awesome, will know on Saturday when I hang with Ralphie...

Make sure you turn it up loud, I used one of those for wet effects only, I wasn't too pleased with it for re-amping, YMMV.

Will do Fratello!!!

 

[timbo]

I've read about more problems with VHT's and Mesa poweramps than I ever have about Carvins.

I've never read that before. What kind of problems are you referring too? I'm strongly considering picking up a VHT 2/90/2 so this kind of info would be good to know.

Well I should have clarified. I've read of problems from people here and on other forums with VHT or Mesa heads blowing fuses and channels all the sudden going tits up on amps that are fairly new. No that Carvin doesn't have any problems but just relaying what I have read.

 

[mctallica1]

I am working from home today (have 7 conference calls because of the whole market situation ) and have had some more time to A/B the VHT and Carvin.

I THINK I might have found out how to get where I want with the Carvin!

If I reduce the level on the drive block a bit, increase the gain on the amp block to compensate and increase the sag a bit on the amp block, the little bit of hair I was hearing seems to be gone.

I need to listen some more, but If I can continue to have this success, I may be tubeless very soon, which would certainly not break my heart

 

[jcj]

I am working from home today (have 7 conference calls because of the whole market situation ) and have had some more time to A/B the VHT and Carvin.

I THINK I might have found out how to get where I want with the Carvin!

If I reduce the level on the drive block a bit, increase the gain on the amp block to compensate and increase the sag a bit on the amp block, the little bit of hair I was hearing seems to be gone.

I need to listen some more, but If I can continue to have this success, I may be tubeless very soon, which would certainly not break my heart

Cool Now sell me your VHT Really

 

[mctallica1]

I am working from home today (have 7 conference calls because of the whole market situation ) and have had some more time to A/B the VHT and Carvin.

I THINK I might have found out how to get where I want with the Carvin!

If I reduce the level on the drive block a bit, increase the gain on the amp block to compensate and increase the sag a bit on the amp block, the little bit of hair I was hearing seems to be gone.

I need to listen some more, but If I can continue to have this success, I may be tubeless very soon, which would certainly not break my heart

Cool Now sell me your VHT Really

Maybe I just need to spend a bit more time to make sure I am hearing what I think I am

 

[mctallica1]

Well...I got where I needed to be.


I am now officially tubeless in my entire rig:

Axe Fx Standard
Carvin DCM600
2 Avatar 4x12 cabs loaded with Celestian G12K-100's
Rocktron Midi Mate (I may upgrade to something with expression pedals soon)

 

[jkdsteve]

Well...I got where I needed to be.


I am now officially tubeless in my entire rig:

Axe Fx Standard
Carvin DCM600
2 Avatar 4x12 cabs loaded with Celestian G12K-100's
Rocktron Midi Mate (I may upgrade to something with expression pedals soon)

I shed a for your old Randall rig...and a for you and all the other AxeFx pimps