What Combo Amp Would You Buy?

[cjj]

Carvin BR515: Great price, reasonable weight for it's power, plenty of user adjustability, and it'll move some serious air.

I like Carvin stuff, good company, good quality, good prices, and all U.S.A made. I use one of their rack mount amps, but if their combo amps are anywhere near the same, (and I'm sure they are) they would definitely be worth checking out. And, with their 10 day try it, return it if you don't like it for any reason, it's hard to go wrong...

[cheyenne]

+1 on Carvin.

I own an ICON 4P and a B4 , and have had several of their amps. Great stuff for a musician on a budget.

[Bighouse]

Carvin BR515: Great price, reasonable weight for it's power, plenty of user adjustability, and it'll move some serious air.

I like Carvin stuff...

CJ, what Carvin amps do you own?

I'm leaning towards Mesa Boogie's Walkabout Scout 12...love the specs and reviews...but it's like out of my budget- might have to start saving some each month and get myself an Christmas present. I'll have to take my bass into Zone Music (local MB dealer) and give one a spin soon.

I work about 20 minutes from the Mesa Boogie factory and HQ. Would make getting the amp serviced/repaired pretty easy! All the locals I know LOVE their Mesa Boogie amps.

Premier Guitars (whoever they are) have a great bunch of videos touring the Mesa Boogie factory, here's one:

[jps]

I've been to the 'bubble'! Shari & I got a private tour in May '07. M/B is a great company; the pride of the workers really showed.

[cjj]

Carvin BR515: Great price, reasonable weight for it's power, plenty of user adjustability, and it'll move some serious air.

I like Carvin stuff...

CJ, what Carvin amps do you own?

I've got a DCM 1540L, 2 channel, 750 watts per channel. I always run Ric-O-Sound mode, run the high side through 1 channel, low through the other. Here's a diagram of my setup:

[qwezirider]

How do you like the DCM 1450L? I've been using QSC amps the last few years very happily, but the loss of 26 pounds is getting more attractive.

[cjj]

I have to say, I like it a lot. Loads of power (probably way too much) and very clean. Really light weight too. I had a DCM 2000 before, lots heavier and the fan was too loud. The 1540L is nice, it has a fan, but it's hardly noticeable, even all by myself in my music room. Yeah, you can hear it if you listen, but if any music is playing, it's gone. It's variable speed, so when you're really cranking, it'll spool up, but you probably won't notice it then either .

I spent a fair amount of time talking with the guys at Carvin before buying it. I'm an electrical engineer in "real life". The main thing they did with these over their previous amps was changing the power supply to what's known as a switching supply. This eliminates the need for all the heavy transformers, etc. allowing a much lighter design. The technology is certainly mature enough to be of no concern (I've designed dozens of such systems for far more sensitive equipment than an audio amp). The rest of their amplifier design is very sound, good reliable circuits. I'd recommend them along with (and over) most of the big name amps out there.

[qwezirider]

Thank you. That's very helpful detail to make a decision.

[Bighouse]

Yeah, thanks CJ, that's good info. I see the MF and GC dont' carry Carvin- any recommendations who to purchase from? I'll have to hunt down the Carvin website and check out your rig.

[cjj]

You buy Carvin stuff from Carvin, that's part of the reason for good prices. They have a few stores and an Ebay store too, but I think mostly they do internet direct sales these days.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/

[rickaddict]

You buy Carvin stuff from Carvin, that's part of the reason for good prices. They have a few stores and an Ebay store too, but I think mostly they do internet direct sales these days.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/

Yep, that's alway's been their shtick. No middle man means you get a much better price, but the downside is that you have to buy it (with a satisfaction guaranteed or your money back) to try it.

[Bighouse]

I've been to the 'bubble'! Shari & I got a private tour in May '07. M/B is a great company; the pride of the workers really showed.

Did you get to hit any amps with hammers? How did you arrange a private tour?~!?

[jps]

We didn't get to hit anything with hammers, but did see how they do their tube testing with their "computer" and hammer!

Re: getting a tour - I called and spoke with a customer service rep and asked!