Sparky Mark

I had the same experience with neo Bergantino AE112s versus their ceramic HT112ER and EX112ER cabs. The heavier ceramics just had more depth and power to their sound.

[quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1499268448' post='3330418'] I suspect one of the other italian Class D companies designed it like Powersoft. [/quote] I don't think so. Markbass actually states that it invested a lot of resources in its own R&D to develop what it calls its MPT (Mark Proprietary Technology ) class D power amplifiers. Markbass may have been slightly economic with certain information in the past but I don't believe they are being untruthful about this.

I had a class D LM3 in my CMD121P and it sounded just as punchy as my class AB separate LM3. The sound is primarily down to the pre amp which was identical. Markbass developed its own 500w class D power amp and it is very full sounding. The 1000W power amp is based on the same design elements.

Absolutely. Although all the LM series has ever meant to me was the physical size of the box. I have three of the larger format markbass heads and a LM3 and they all share the same class AB power section and almost identical pre amps. Once markbass had developed its own 1000W class D power board and squeezed it into the LM Ninja I assumed a LM1000 in standard black and yellow livery wouldn't be far behind. The green Ninja is even more Marmite than the wasp colour scheme I think. I do have a TA503 with four bands of semi-parametric EQ which is really useful for taming the low end on occasion almost like a high pass filter; but as you say straight up is usually fine the majority of the time.

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1499105609' post='3329224'] Mute I'd agree with, but would probably want a footswitch for it (Otherwise why not use the volume Knob). The others are fine ideas in themselves, but to my mind it would cease to be an LM. [/quote] Both a mute facility and 1000W are available on other LM heads. The semi parametric mids haven't been but make the discontinued SA450 a much more flexible head than the LM2 or LM3.

Mute facility, semi-parametric high and low mids and the 1000W power section from the Ninja head.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1498002630' post='3321961'] I believe Mesa controls the pricing pretty tightly, at least they did when I bought my Mesa 400+ about 20 years ago. [/quote] I understand that manufacturers need to control retail pricing but in this instance the UK customer is paying a massive premium because it seems of the extra hands the product is passing through without adding any value.

[quote name='deksawyer' timestamp='1497970347' post='3321713'] You'd be shocked to see the margin that a Mesa dealer gets, it's [i][b]very[/b][/i] poor, so I'd be surprised if a dealer wanted to do this... D. [/quote] But there is something weird going on when a £625 amp in the USA costs £425 more in the UK. I wonder how many units a USA retailer has to commit to to be able to sell at that price? Other USA products don't seem to carry this scale of surcharge in the UK. This would seem to be an occasion when if you travel to the USA it would be worth buying one and paying the VAT and any duty and saving yourself £200+.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1497876678' post='3321015'] I use one of these for all my D Class amps. . . . http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/flight-case-with-foam-n70ap .. . . make the hole the size of the amp and there's all the protection you need. [/quote] +1

Perhaps we should start a group on here of BCers who will commit to buying one, and once we have achieved whatever the price break point is, place all our orders with the UK retailer who can then also benefit? If a UK retailer could let us know how many and how much?

Agreed, but I assume Mesa are achieving some production economies of scale. If market size was the only factor then every USA product would show the same disparity, but I don't think they do. For instance the first product I have looked at is the Ampeg PF 800 Portaflex head is £505 here and $600 in the USA.

I too drive a pair of Bergantino 12's or 210's with 500 watt Markbass heads and have been GASing for something with more power. The two heads that I am most attracted to are the 1000W Markbass Ninja for £663 and the Mesa 800+ which sells in the USA for $799 (£625ish) and here for £1050. Even allowing for import duty 5% (not sure but shouldn't be more than that?) plus 20% VAT and £50 carriage the UK price seems too high. I realise this issue comes up regularly and we are used to paying the dollar amount in pounds but this is another £200.