List of the tightest hi-fi high gain amps for Down Tuning

[stephen sawall]

Always wanted a Crown Macro-Tech MA-10000 amplifier

Fryette Deliverance 120....

 

[glassjaw7]

Seriously, this is the most confusing and contradicting thread ever. Hi-Fi has nothing to do with how amps react or track, etc. It is an audiophile term that just means a very high quality of sound reproduction. In basic audio, things that represent high fidelity are low noise/distortion and true frequency response across the entire range. Also, the quality of the components in receivers can fit into the description but usually it's more the sound and not the equipment. The only amps I would consider to fit this description are the oldest single channel amps with similarities to old stereos/recievers, since most guitar amps are focused in certain frequencies and are not made to reproduce a perfect clean sound...

In the guitar community, it has become common to refer to certain amps as Hi-Fi. Amps like Diezels that have that polished sound and arguably a "sterile" un-organic quality to them (that's not a slam against Diezel, the VH4 is one of my favorite amps) and sound "mixed right out of the speakers" are commonly described as sounding hi-fi. They don't have the raw, noisy or earthy characteristics that a Marshall or Boogie has.



So, throwing the whole hi-fi thing out the window, the best amps I've played for tight down-tuned metal are:

Modified Dual Recto
Engl Invader
Diezel VH4
EVH 5150 III

 

[leib10]

I think my Uberschall Twin Jet loaded with 88's is the finest amp for this application.

Good choice, but the TJ has a lot of saturation and "sizzle" in it's tone, like a recto. He is wanting less sizzle and more dryish/clear sounding amps.

If you turn down the gain and boost the amp, it's very dry and very tight with a percussive bass. A very easy to play amp too, moreso than the Rev 2.

 

[RJF]

I think my Uberschall Twin Jet loaded with 88's is the finest amp for this application.

Good choice, but the TJ has a lot of saturation and "sizzle" in it's tone, like a recto. He is wanting less sizzle and more dryish/clear sounding amps.

If you turn down the gain and boost the amp, it's very dry and very tight with a percussive bass. A very easy to play amp too, moreso than the Rev 2.

I run an OD9 or TS808 through anything and everything at all times. I guess I am just used to my Diezel Herbert and VHT UL, that I find to be dry and tight. I've always thought my TJ sounded much closer to my Cobra or Rectos than ever being considered similar to my Herbert and UL.

 

[Ventura]

Seeing as the OP mentioned getting a single channel variation of the VH4, I gotta CONFUSE matters even more and suggest you SERIOUSLY look at the Mak4 preamp. It's Ch.2 is one of the closest sounds and feels of the Diezel VH4's exalted Ch.3 I've come across. And the preamp itself is very affordable comparatively speaking.

If you look at this as an option, you get the VH4 Ch.3'like capabilities; but you're also given Makoplex and Dorado. Dorado is entirely off the chain for modern hi-fi kazy-ass tone (and I use the term "hi-fi" carefully here as what the OP describes as hi-fi ain't hi-fi in my opinion, but so it goes. "Hi-fi" to me is cold, sterile and almost overly processed sounding).

Mojo

 

[LickliterAmps]

Here is some down tuned playing with my Lickliter XD120 prototype. Hybrid of KT88 and EL34. Duncan JB straight in with no boost.

Here is a studio clip
https://soundcloud.com/lickliteramps/lic ... -clip-8-23

 

[Ventura]

I think my Uberschall Twin Jet loaded with 88's is the finest amp for this application.

Good choice, but the TJ has a lot of saturation and "sizzle" in it's tone, like a recto. He is wanting less sizzle and more dryish/clear sounding amps.

If you turn down the gain and boost the amp, it's very dry and very tight with a percussive bass. A very easy to play amp too, moreso than the Rev 2.

TJs sick, the 88s really work well in this head. The amp is a beast - seriously needs to be EQd by ear, not eye, but once you get over that oddity, the thing slays. I'll say that as far as "heavy metal detuned djent" music is concerned, the Uberschall is definitely a king in the mix. Think pre-Axe days Heavy Devy, the man was an Uberschall lover...he bought my TJ from me (and I'm still pissed I ever sold it!).

 

[cardinal]

If CH 3 of the VH4 is what lifts your skirt, be patient on getting a deal on a used one and be done. You'll end up spending more chasing it in something else.

I'd agree with this. If you're patient you can find a reasonable price on them, and you'll probably spend more money flipping/shipping amps than if you can just bite the bullet and go for a VH4.

 

[leib10]

I think my Uberschall Twin Jet loaded with 88's is the finest amp for this application.

Good choice, but the TJ has a lot of saturation and "sizzle" in it's tone, like a recto. He is wanting less sizzle and more dryish/clear sounding amps.

If you turn down the gain and boost the amp, it's very dry and very tight with a percussive bass. A very easy to play amp too, moreso than the Rev 2.

TJs sick, the 88s really work well in this head. The amp is a beast - seriously needs to be EQd by ear, not eye, but once you get over that oddity, the thing slays. I'll say that as far as "heavy metal detuned djent" music is concerned, the Uberschall is definitely a king in the mix. Think pre-Axe days Heavy Devy, the man was an Uberschall lover...he bought my TJ from me (and I'm still pissed I ever sold it!).

You definitely have to crank it and yes, adjust by ears, but once you do its such a massive, brutal amp. The low end is just where it needs to be and can be adjusted for super tight djenty stuff or saggier tones. Probably my favorite amp of all time.

 

[colimofsmoke]

Just realized that luketurd started this thread, but... Throwing the hifi thing out the window, VHT Deliverance all the way.

 

[LukeCurd]

How i define Hi-fi: An amplifier that sounds direct, upfront and clear open distortion with less sag than traditional amplifiers. What amazes me most about the Diezel line of amplifiers is they kinda sound very processed but after being miced up they have a great FOH sound.

On the diezel VH4 I would probably be on ch3 but with the gain only up about 40%. That should keep saturation to a minim. All the clips I have heard of the VH4 and bands that uses them sound great.

Top 3 descriptive things I love about the VH4.
1. Ch 3 mid voicing, has the hi mids of a traditonal high gain marsahll but with added low mids for Thump.
2. VH4 power section has the perfect balance of staying tight but still sounding natural and not GATED.
3. Power section filtering stage probably has a lot to do with the mix of compression,dryness & Depth.

The Einstien may have a similar preamp section of the VH4 however it didn't have the REACTIVE nature of the power section. When I played one for about 2hrs I never found a sound I was happy with, Never felt natural in my hands.

When I played the Herbert it sounded gated, saturated and compressed.
When I played the Bogner Twin jet KT88 the sound was close but the mid voiceing was off and sounded pretty Dry.
Same thing with the VHT Ultra Lead.
Bogner Shiva, Saturated, very EVH not my style
egnater vengeance, sounded distant, I expect it wouldn't cut thru the mix well.
XTC 20th, versitile amp but not my cup of tea.
5150, felt more natural but cloudy and fizzy.
Dual Rectifier, Fizzy and Flubby, The low mids are natrual but the amp doesn't track well on fast notes. I owned 3 of them in different years and varioustions.
OD-100 STD. Probably the best amp I owned to date. I owned two and sold em since they had channel cross talk.
PT-100, Probably the best amp I played to date. The mid voicing was great but it was missing some ANGER. It was mean but not violent.
Friedman BE/HBE. Sounded refined with a purpose. Would have been a very close call but just didn't have the Chug I like. With some more low mids and a controllable depth and presence I probably could of got dialed in pretty close.
Naylor SD60 II. Didn't spend much time with it but I can't recall it sounding Spectacular. Sounded like a take on a marshall lead sound.
Friedman Dirty Shirley, Warm, Natrual with a hark to vintage voicing. Really had a lot of fun playing the amp
Marshall JVM410H, Didn't sound great or bad.
etc. I have played and owned an additional 20 amps that haven't fit the bill. Still on the quest.

The biggest concern on the VH4 is price, and the many features I would never use. Looking around 3k for a used VH4. For that price I could build an entire rig. That why I am looking for a single channel JCM type amp.

 

[LukeCurd]

Listen to Troy Van Leeuwen describe Hi-Fi.

 

[colimofsmoke]

Great, now he's cursing me via pm.

 

[LukeCurd]

Great, now he's cursing me via pm.

Correct, Personal problems with me should be handled via Private corresponding.

Stop hi-jacking my thread with your Bullshit. If your going to call me names expect me to react. I wish to keep the personal shit off the forum. You can call me on the phone, email me, pm me, or meet in person if you don't like me. If you don't have anything constructive to say, then don't say it at all.

 

[colimofsmoke]

It was a joke. Dont be so sensitive. Look at your other thread, in which you said you werent going to look at the main forum anymore. Other people said it first, i was just fooling around. Lighten up.

 

[Heritage Softail]

It was a joke. Dont be so sensitive. Look at your other thread, in which you said you werent going to look at the main forum anymore. Other people said it first, i was just fooling around. Lighten up.

Aw

You have a girlfriend

 

[colimofsmoke]

Lol!

 

[Heritage Softail]

It's all fun. This forum cracks me up sometimes.

Gotta go cut the grass though. That damn hurricane brought lots of rain. tall weeds...

 

[D-Rock]

Do you play in a band?
Many aspects of this tone over analyzing you're doing disappears and morphs into other things when pushing air against other instruments in a loud, live context.

 

[RJF]

I'm pretty much confused at this point. The OP wants to know what would work good for what he is looking for in tone, yet he says he's basically played everything out there, and nothing really caught on for him, except for the VH4.

How about, just go buy a VH4?