Kemper profiler amp any good? better than tubes?

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psche378

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Hey Guys I just cant seem to control my gas recently I am tired of going from tube amp to tube amp I have a mark v boogie now and I still am not satisfied totally when does it end ya know. I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on these kemper profiling amps. Everyone seems to say go axe fx but even the used prices are rediculous. Do I need to use a frfr speaker with the kemper and a poweramp if not it seems like a nice alternative to axe fx. I have a nice bogner 4x12 already I would love to be able to just plug it into that
 
If you get a poweramp, get one with tubes like a VHT/Fryette 2/50/2, don't mess with the solid state crap.
 
I've had a ton of killer tube heads over the years and since buying the Kemper it pretty much relieved me of all amp gas. Is it better than a tube amp? Matters what you're using it for. It sounds great with a 4x12 but was meant to be used with FR cabinet. The powered Kemper sounds fantastic too. The sound really good running them direct live.

 
Great pic!
I am on Kemper #2. My first one was the toaster and it was great but when I got it a couple of years back, it was missing a ton of things that I wanted. Back in January, I sold all of my pedals, amp and 2x12 and ended up getting a powered rack version. Thus far, it has been excellent! I run mine through a Marshall 1960ax cab with greenbacks and it sounds beautiful.

For me it is a total solution for playing live, recording at home, and playing quietly a at night while my family is asleep.

No regrets.
 
I haven't had a tube amp since I purchased it! 15 months ago
 
I run mine with an EH 44 magnum into a vertical 2x12 or I use an old Mosvalve power amp if I need more power. I use a couple of settings and that's it.
I own a Friedman modded Marshall, and the Kemper does not sound better than the Friedman? But but it sounds very, very close, close enough that I leave the Friedman at home (regardless whether or not I have a roadie). :rock:
 
The Kemper will sound good on it's own & especially recorded....until you A/B it directly next to a tube amp. Then it's inadequacies become apparent really quickly.
 
Doughboy":31drmmm5 said:
The Kemper will sound good on it's own & especially recorded....until you A/B it directly next to a tube amp. Then it's inadequacies become apparent really quickly.
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^ this ^
 
timeroo":354t16jr said:
If you get a poweramp, get one with tubes like a VHT/Fryette 2/50/2, don't mess with the solid state crap.
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Though I too prefer tube amps over SS, I wonder if a tube is really needed with an FX.
Consider that it's the pinnacle of digitally reproduced tube amps.
In that case, adding an amplifier that would add any coloration would actually change what the sampled model actually sounds like.

I don't have any experience with an Axe FX, but understanding the technology I would see the importance of getting a very clean solid state amplifier that accurately reproduces what the A-FX is putting out in order to hear the real deal sample.

BTW, there is an original Axe Fx unit on Ebay right now with no reserve.
It's at $828 right now, and there are only about 10 hours left to bid.

Even at $1000-$1200 it seems a pretty good deal considering you never have to swap tubes, buy new tubes, bias new tubes, or deal with the maintenance a tube amp comes with.
Plus consider that you don't need to buy any pedals to alter the sounds and tones.

I may try one in a coupe years when the used prices come down even more.
 
I definitely prefer the kemper to the axe-fx
BUT I only use the kemper direct for recording, I haven't tried it live yet.

I'd imagine FRFR would be better than using a cab but I have not tried so cannot comment.

I play the kemper a lot more than I ever did the axe-fx
 
First, the Kemper isn't a tube amp. To compare it to one (A/B it next to each other) will give you different results. If you want an "amp in the room" sound then get a tube amp and a cab or combo. What the Kemper gives you is the signal chain of a properly (or improperly if the profile isn't any good) mic'ed up amp and cabinet. They are apples and oranges. I love both but you really can't compare them definitively. To answer the first question in your thread title, "yes". If you are looking to buy based off the second question in your title "better than tubes?" then don't waste your time because that is not the right question. Find what meets your needs. I would wager that over 60% of the players on this board don't play live with a band or are still kicking tires trying to find their tone. When I go to the classifieds I am surprised to see so much nice gear that gets flipped so often. Don't buy into the tubes vs digital argument. It is inherently flawed and 100% opinion. It's all just tools to get the job done. Find the right tools and play guitar.

I use mine for recording and live with a band. Personally, I love it! I use it with an Atomic CLR powered wedge for my stage sound and run direct to the board for the audience. Sounds great, accurate and consistent every single time. 4 of my last 5 shows the sound guy has told me that my tones rips. That is cool but that isn't the reason I use it. I use it because I know what I get every show, consistency. I have had mine for a year and a half and I haven't wanted anything else with the exception of adding a Henning Cherry Bomb. I am so satisfied with my setup that I only look to add guitars at this point. When I fire it up, load my favorite profiles and turn up the volume on the CLR I smile every time. I get the best results I have ever gotten playing almost silent as well. As much as I love tube amps I was restricted to really getting the goods to certain times of the day or week. I don't spend my time playing wondering if it sounds like this or that. I don't question my gear thinking that it has to be tubes or digital. These days, I find a tone that inspires me and I play.

Either way, see if you can try before you buy. If you don't like it, flip it. If you do, keep it.
 
Thanks for all the insight your right I worded that question wrong obviously its all subjective I'm not trying to start a S@#t show lol. I was just looking for opinions on the sound quality and the parts you need to make it work and sound great if I want to go that route. Its looking like a really nice piece of gear in my eyes right now I guess I could get one and run it through my bogner 4x12 and just see if it would work I am low on funds atm so to get some frfr speakers or an atomic I would probably need to sell it but its vintage so I don't wanna go that far if I'm not gonna stick with the kemper. Anyway thanks so much for everyones input super helpful
 
psche378":2b4zzq04 said:
Thanks for all the insight your right I worded that question wrong obviously its all subjective I'm not trying to start a S@#t show lol. I was just looking for opinions on the sound quality and the parts you need to make it work and sound great if I want to go that route. Its looking like a really nice piece of gear in my eyes right now I guess I could get one and run it through my bogner 4x12 and just see if it would work I am low on funds atm so to get some frfr speakers or an atomic I would probably need to sell it but its vintage so I don't wanna go that far if I'm not gonna stick with the kemper. Anyway thanks so much for everyones input super helpful
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Given what the Kemper and FX are I would expect that if you have a good home stereo you could input to that and then drive your cab, as long as the impedance is correct.
I'm not suggesting that for a live show, but for home use I should work considering all the tone is from the unit and the stereo is simply amplifying it.
Your cab and speakers of course will add their own coloration cause guitar speakers are designed to color tone unlike audio speakers or PA systems that are designed to faithfully reproduce what they are being fed.

I really need to check out one of these systems.
It may be what I'm looking for too. :)
 
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