spyder

After a 9 month break from using any amp head because I go straight into my PA for pub / club / function band gigs, I thought about looked around for a suitable head in case I need one for rehearsals or non PA type gigs or jams. For 10 years or more I've used digital heads because of weight saving but always felt unhappy with the sound unless spending well over 1k on more high end heads. I've had Ashdown digital and class AB heads before but never got on with the sound as I was using only active basses at the time. ( Just didn't suit my idea of good sound ) I now use only passive basses so I thought of trying out Ashdown again. I managed to pick up an ABM 400 ltd edition 25 year model for a good price. It's new and came with a large metal flight case and foot switch. Well the sound is perfect for my passive basses and it has all the authoritiy anyone would ever want. I changed the valve from the non descript Chinese crap to a branded Electro Harmonix with a marked improvement in overdrive tone. While I was in there I noticed that the preamp board in labelled ABM 600 and the power board is also from an ABM 600 but is labelled 500 watts. The amp is labelled 600 watts? I've just tried the foot switch and to my surprise and bonus the Compressor button turns on the compressor that is obviously on the ABM 600 preamp board. I can't change the compressor settings as there is not a knob on the front panel but it sounds great for squashing the in coming sound.

https://youtu.be/vwq1u3qmt8A?si=SpoepK11OJgK4SzE

And UK made.

Very interesting development.

I'm also a very minimalist player with a passive Serek bass into a Caveman BP-1 and straight into the PA. Just a small tweak to the eq and that's it. All my sound comes from the bass and my fingers. Sometimes I might get exotic and add a little reverb and chorus to fill out the sound.

I'm a big fan of Palmer Passive Di boxes. They are very well built and sound great. I use the Wipper. https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Palmer-Wipper-Passive-DI-Box/4Z7Q

I bought one last year. It very well built and did exactly what you would expect from a high / low pass filter. Highly recommended.

I can also highly recommend Custom-Lynx on eBay or if you are feeling particularly indulgent I would go for my favourite cable brand..... Vovox. https://www.thomann.de/gb/vovox_sonorus_protect_a350_kliwikl.htm

The difference between the Behringer X18 and Midas MR18 is quite subtle. When I put them side by side there was definitely more detail and air from the Midas. At a gig with all the ambient noise there would be very little in it. I also prefer the locking XLRs on the Midas.

Yes, the sound is definitely cleaner with much better high frequency content.

I've just replaced an old Behringer X18 with a new Midas MR18. I'm using the same mixing station app with my custom template. Putting all the PA gear in one rack has saved around 15 mins on set up and strip down times. Having it hard wired really has taken the pressure off me as I'm the only one who knows how to set it up properly.

I had a 550 when they were first released. Mine didn't do the things you described. As the amp is now potentially more than 15 years old it might need a service at Ashdown.