Need opinions on a bedrrom tube amp for heavy music

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natew010

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Hey,
I'm new to this forum and am looking for a small tube amp, pre amp+power amp, or maybe an Axe Fx for my apartment. The main thing is that I want a cranked sound (ala nevermore, opeth, metallica, etc) at reasonable volume levels. I've been debating on the following and was hoping you guys could help me out:

Axe Fx + Power amp + Cab
Axe + 8" powered monitors (I think I'd rather have a cab)
Carvin V3M
BlackStar HT-20 or 40
Jet City JCA50h
Engl Fireball 60 or 100 with Hotplate
Mako Mak4 + power amp
Engl E530 + poweramp

So, what do you think? My guitar is a carvin 727.
 
I can't buy a computer on top of this haha, and I like the sound of a guitar through a cabinet.
 
Blackstar ht-5.

I've got the ht-20 and it's loud, not so much a bedroom amp. I've also got the Jet City 20 and it's not bad for bedroom volume but sounds better louder and it's not going to get the sound you're looking for without a little pedal help.

Haven't played the V3M but I know you can scale the power back to fairly low wattage and likely get the tone your looking for as it's pretty high gain. Everything else is too much amp for what you're looking for.
 
I'm guessing an Axe Fx would be my best bet as it doesn't have to warm up tubes to sound good at low volumes....I saw they just came out with the Axe 2...not sure I can justify that kind of money for how much I play. I wonder how much better it sounds than the old models?
 
For my money, low volume tube amps are a waste.

Tube amps lose the fizz, and get the feel (IMO) at volumes that are WELL above what most people can play at home (or a small bar, for that matter).

Go with a cheap modeler for low volume.
 
Coopster":2o7fxvig said:
Blackstar ht-5.

I've got the ht-20 and it's loud, not so much a bedroom amp. I've also got the Jet City 20 and it's not bad for bedroom volume but sounds better louder and it's not going to get the sound you're looking for without a little pedal help.

Haven't played the V3M but I know you can scale the power back to fairly low wattage and likely get the tone your looking for as it's pretty high gain. Everything else is too much amp for what you're looking for.

This. The HT-5 is still pretty damn loud for 5 watts, but it sounds friggin' awesome. Either that or just do a modeler.
 
I bought a used Line 6 Flextone III for the same reason and it works great. I'm not a huge Line 6 fan but this thing does the job. Great for quick 10 minute practice sessions.
 
If the new Axe Fx doesn't sounds THAT much better than the standard, I may just get a standard and some 8" monitors. Either that or one of the Hybrid modelers (Vypyr vs. Spider Valve??) Which is better?
 
You really need to be honest with yourself in terms of volume constraints. The HT-5 is a great little amp but for my volume purposes, its a little too loud with the volume at 10 o'clock. If you want really brutal tones you really should do the Axe or some other modeler.
 
I mentioned the Vypyr vs. Spider Valve thing as far as modelers....
 
oh yeah and unless you have super cool neighbors, don't bother with the big amp + attenuator route. You will never be satisfied with what is coming out of the speakers and if you are it is probably too loud. You could do
big amp + load box into a cab sim but at that pt you might as well get the Axe FX.

Its a tough realization but tube amps and apartments/houses with shared walls don't mix.
 
I'm coming to realize that now haha...it'll probably be the Axe or the HT-5 with a bunch of pedals maybe.

Do you think that Axe sounds better with a SS power amp or tube? Is there even a point in getting a tube power amp for the Axe in an apartment?
 
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