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Genz Benz Streamliner 900 (STM-900)


pantherairsoft
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For the last few years I've been a devoted user of EBS amplification and honestly never thought I'd find something that would tempt me away. The furthest away I'd got was using a Crown XTi 1000 power amp along with an EBS-1 v2 pre amp. Being the owner of an EBS HD350, Fafner and TD650 it was clear to see that I was a BIG fan of the EBS tone. That was until this beauty came to play...

The Genz Benz Streamliner 900 (STM-900).

[b]SPECIFICATION...[/b]
500w @ 8 Ohms / 900w @ 4 Ohms
Class D power amp with Class A 6-stage tube driven pre amp
Modified Bandaxall EQ for highs and lows
Active tube driven mids with selectable frequency
Mute & high gain switches
Studio quality DI out
2x Speakon out connections
Headphone out, aux out, effects loop & tuner out
Advanced switching power supply for use anywhere in the world!
[url="http://www.genzbenz.com/?fa=detail&mid=2663&sid=675&cid=95"]Link to manufacturers site.[/url]

[i]For the purpose of this review and all gigging/rehearing/recording I've done with it, the amp has been used with my Roscoe Century 6 fretless bass into a Barefaced Big Twin T bass cabinet. I also throw more effects and textures at the amp than you can shake a stick at.[/i]

[b]FEATURES & BUILD QUALITY: 9/10[/b]
The Streamliner has a great build quality. It's tough and robust with good quality knobs and solid inputs and outputs. The tubes are contained far enough back that an unfortunate drop of the amp wouldn't cause the pots on the front to jerk back and damage them (god forbid) and while that are not set up to be quick to change (removal of a number of screws and the top plate of the amp) the tubes are much more securely seated than those in any tube amp I've owned before. My only niggle with the build is that the additional rack kit (which can be purchased separately) is a horrid rack try set up which weighs a ton and costs far too much, rather than nice rack ears like the Genz Benz 'Shuttle' series of amplifiers. I know it's a minor niggle, but a niggle all the same.

Features wise the Streamliner delivers what it set out to do - offer a slick and streamlined approach to bass amplification. it has a minimal EQ set up, but one which is very musical, with a choice of three selectable mid frequencies (220hz, 600hz & 2.5Khz) and shelving-style bass (at 55hz) and treble EQ (a single knob which boosts BOTH 4Khz & 12.5Khz). Compared to most modern high end amplifiers this is a somewhat stripped back approach to EQ, but really does work to the Streamliner's strengths.
The amp also has a high gain switch for pushing your tubes into audible overdrive if you desire a classic overdriven rock tone and a mute switch to make the of swapping instruments on stage a little easier (and quieter!). The back panel is somewhat more feature packed than the front sporting a very high quality DI with post/pre EQ, ground lift & mic/line level selectors. It has two Speakon outs for your cabs and will run in both 8 Ohms (at a very decent 500w) or 4 Ohms (at an unbelievable 900w!!!).

Yes I said 900w into 4 Ohms. In an amp that weighs less than 3kg!?! LOUD. Need I say more.

The amp also offers as auxiliary output, tuner output, headphone output & an effects loop as well as having a rather impressive switching power system - flick the switch and the unit will work in countries with either 230v or 110v mains voltage. Perfect for those on tour who don't want to have to rely on (or remember to use!) a giant power converter. The Streamliner has a cooling system that sucks air in one side and blows it out the other and boasts what Genz Benz call 'P.H.A.T. (Proprietary Heat Abatement Technology) topology'. This is without a doubt the quietest cooling system I have ever had in an amp... to my ear it is totally silent and I have to say that the amp hardly breaks a sweat. I have used this now on some fairly major Drum & Bass/Dubstep gigs and have thrown some huge sub-bass wobbles at it and the amp has never felt anything above lukewarm. I'm impressed. Even my drummer is impressed - and he's a drummer!

While it's clear to see that the stripped back EQ may put some people off (Genz Benz make the 'Shuttle' series for people that want a little more), the amp carries almost all the core features of a seious pro bass amp, with the exception of a dual channel set up (the 'Shuttle' series does have a 2-channel option, but the Streamliner does not).

[b]TONE/SOUND QUALITY: 9/10[/b]
BASS!!! That's the 1st thing that hits you - massive bottom end. Coming form a man that plays Drum & Bass, trust me, that means there is a lot! This is in fact the first amp that I have used in 2 years that I run with the bass EQ at noon/flat. If I was to be playing most genres and playing with a clean bass tone then I honestly think the bass knob would be rolled back to around 10 or 11 o'clock!

The overall amp tone is warm and fat with some serious punch. The tubes add some real character to the sound which is obvious from the moment you turn it on (it is worth pointing out that the amp can do the whole 'hi-fi' thing well while remaining very clean and with great clarity) as its natural voice is that of fat finger funk (almost the flip of the 'Shuttle', which has an immediate hi-fi tone but the ability to dial in a warmer fat tone if desired). The musical strength in this set up comes form the mids - the 3 selectable bands have been well thought out and the EQ cut/boost knob is very interactive as tiny increments have quite an effect. When the mids are selected at 220hz overdrive & fuzz pedals really come alive, as well as making the mid EQ become suddenly more interactive when used in conjunction with the bass EQ. Flick the mids over the 2.5Khz point and it comes more interactive when used with the treble EQ allowing you to add some great body to slap tones.

In some ways I would personally prefer a broader range of centre EQ's on the mids (like on the EBS amps I have been used to using) but the frequency options here are very musical and well thought out.

The treble is lovely sounding, not abrasive or clanky, but smooth and glassy. In all honesty this was one of the reasons I had stuck with EBS for so long as the styles of music I play require a very full range sound with lots of top end clarity (I need to fill the space of a guitar and of synth pad's at times) and I can honestly say that the Genz is the only thing I've used which does it just as well. One thing worth pointing out though, which will not be noticed by many, is that is you have your tube pre amp gain past 1 o'clock and boost the top end as well as playing though a set up with a tweeter (I did say this was not going to effect many people), any dirt you add to the sound attracts some tube compression and grit before the rest of the sound... For most players and set ups you would still hear a solid sound with no change, but the extreme top end does take on a whole new character. Again I stress this is only when you are using sounds and tones not characteristic of traditional bass tones... I must also stress this is not really a negative, rather an interesting tonal characteristic that I am able to exploit due to my amp/cab set up and effects. It just apprears as though the tubes will compress/overdrive super highs (that most cabs won't reproduce) much earlier than the rest of your sound.

Finger funk players will love this amp. Hi-fi junkies should be excited by the fact they can get a clear & clean tone while still dabbling with a genuine tube tone when the mood takes them. Many bass player will need to be prepared to do the un-manly thing and roll that bass EQ back though.

If you are a little more interested in what the core of this amp's tone sounds like, here is a fantastic review from the Bass Whisperer:

[media]http://youtu.be/d-27szg61bw[/media]

[b]VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10[/b]
The price - WOW. This is 900w in a tiny box and is selling in the UK at [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Streamliner.html"]Bass Direct[/url] for £689.00 (£589.00 for it's 600w little brother). In today's world of professional amplifiers this represents FANTASTIC value for money, even with its stripped back features section. For an amplifier of this power and build quality you would usually expect to pay double form most big brands. Best bit it though, this is far from a budget amplifier - this is real high end professional stuff.

Value for money. Yes.

[b]CUSTOMER SUPPORT: 10/10[/b]
I'll start this section by saying that I have not needed to contact Genz Benz directly regarding my amp and so I can't score the company with regards to answering emails and solving issues etc. When I first received the amp I did however experience a few pops and bangs when unplugging my jack lead even when using the mute switch on the front panel. I did some googling and could not find anyone experiencing similar issues, but did come across a member on Talkbass.com answering a few questions on other Genz related issues. It so happened that this chap was one of Genz's engineers so I dropped an informal message over on the off chance he may be get back to me.

I'm happy to report that within 24 hours I had a reply, direct from someone that deals with these units on a day to day basis with a few things to try and with the suggestion that it was most likely static which had built up from my amp being stored in the cold for a long period of time over winter (which can happen with all electrical equipment and is no way a fault of any unit) - guess what - the weather has got warmer and pops have stopped!

He may of been answering as an individual in reply to a casual message outside of work, but was a great example of someone being a true ambassador of the brand they represent. If this that level of service is anything to go by then Genz Benz deserve nothing short of a 10!

[b]OVERALL: 9/10[/b]
As a long time lover, supporter and owner of EBS amplification (3 amp heads & 1 rack pre amp) I'll start this by saying I no longer own a single EBS amp! In fact the Streamliner is now the ONLY amp I own. I've sold everything else... this does it all. I have gigged with in it, recorded with it and spent day after day in the studio with it and it has done nothing but perform and impress over and over.

The Streamliner offers a compact, lightweight, silent running 900w with almost faultless performance. Its versatile, interactive and has more volume that I could ever know what do do with while being happy to take the massive sub octaves and ear splitting LFO wobbles that I throw at it without any sign of struggling, complaining or clipping. Truth be told I'm pretty much in awe of this awesome bit of kit and it will be by my side over the coming year and out European tour which is being planned for October.

If anyone interested in trying one of these out I would urge you to do so. Anyone near the Midlands, UK is welcome to get in touch and come try mine out.

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[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1333031773' post='1596490']
Excellent review. Great read and good to see you didn't go over board on the sales pitch.
Honest review from a genuine pro-bassist.

Well done and many thanks.

Dave
[/quote]

Thanks bud. It's a lovely amp and deserved a great write up. Was quite surprised to see it on their website :)
I particularly like being referred to as a 'pro-bassist' - You have been added to my christmas card list!

Shep

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Shep:-
Always good to see a fellow bassist get the recognition they deserve. You gave an honest opinion of the amp. Your own material pushes the boundaries with bass and seing the amp pushed with the various effects you use simply highlighted how great an amp GB have produced.
Apart from that i like Xmas cards :lol:

Shergoldsnickers :-
An understanding wife and no kids is definately the way forward. :lol:

Dave

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[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1333105628' post='1597420']
Shep:-
Always good to see a fellow bassist get the recognition they deserve. You gave an honest opinion of the amp. Your own material pushes the boundaries with bass and seing the amp pushed with the various effects you use simply highlighted how great an amp GB have produced.
Apart from that i like Xmas cards :lol:

Shergoldsnickers :-
An understanding wife and no kids is definately the way forward. :lol:

Dave
[/quote]

Man... you need a job as my hype-man or something! :)

As for an understanding/supportive wife... thats the reason I get to make music so much!

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[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1333133846' post='1598007']
Nice review. The 900 is way beyond my needs, but thinking of bringing in a 600 at some point.
[/quote]

I agree - The 600 will still be a beast. The 900 gives the headroom for pushing it with serious EQ changes which is a god send for me as I used to clip the output of every amp I used.

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Thanks for a great review.

Just paid for my 600 a couple of days ago and will be auditioning it at the upcoming Lefty Bass Bash in Warwick. My Sei 5er sounds as good as I've ever heard it, and for some reason it brings out the character of the (recently acquired) Sonus more than anything else I've yet heard it through. All this with flat eq through a Vanderkley 112 EXT cab (hoping to add a second at some point to add a little oomph).

I cannot wait to get this thing home!


Edit: a word of praise for Mark at Bass Direct. Hugely knowledgeable and a thoroughly nice man who loves his job. I can't speak highly enough of how accomodating he's been in regard to the Bass Bash.

Edited by leftybassman392
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[quote name='pantherairsoft' timestamp='1333126037' post='1597875']
Man... you need a job as my hype-man or something! :)
[/quote]

Invoice in the post :lol:

[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1333147935' post='1598264']
Thanks for a great review.

Just paid for my 600 a couple of days ago and will be auditioning it at the upcoming Lefty Bass Bash in Warwick. My Sei 5er sounds as good as I've ever heard it, and for some reason it brings out the character of the (recently acquired) Sonus more than anything else I've yet heard it through. All this with flat eq through a Vanderkley 112 EXT cab (hoping to add a second at some point to add a little oomph).

I cannot wait to get this thing home!


Edit: a word of praise for Mark at Bass Direct. Hugely knowledgeable and a thoroughly nice man who loves his job. I can't speak highly enough of how accomodating he's been in regard to the Bass Bash.
[/quote]
[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1333133846' post='1598007']
Nice review. The 900 is way beyond my needs, but thinking of bringing in a 600 at some point.
[/quote]

I found with my 600 and 1 Berg AE112 cab that the clip light was only just coming on with EQ set Bass @ 1pm and 600Hz @ 3pm everything else at 12noon with gain boost IN. Add that 2nd cab and what a differance. Amp doesn't clip at all and sound isn't really louder but more filling.
I think on hindsight though i might have spent the extra few quid and gone for the 900. You can always turn it down.
All advice from Mark at Bass Direct was spot on. For what i was doing at the time Mark reckoned one cab sufficient. I then joined a classic rock band and decided to go for the 2nd cab. The band have never heard a better bass rig.

Dave

Edited by dmccombe7
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[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1333147935' post='1598264']
Edit: a word of praise for Mark at Bass Direct. Hugely knowledgeable and a thoroughly nice man who loves his job. I can't speak highly enough of how accomodating he's been in regard to the Bass Bash.
[/quote]

+1

I went to Bass Direct this afternoon with the sole intention of walking away with an EBS Reidmar but after Mark taking time and patience and letting me try a WHOLE load of stuff, I ended up being totally and unexpectedly blown away by the Streamliner and the Shuttle 9.2.

Just astonishingly wonderful sounding amps. Like Shep, being an EBS devotee up to this point, I've now got Streamlinerlust(TM).

T

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I have to agree I went in search of a smaller rig and took a trip to Bass Direct...Mark sold me on the GB Streamliner 900, I had to have one. I bought mine off a fellow Basschatter and I have to say It is the best amp I have ever had.

The first gig I used it on another bassist (Mick) came over to me and complimented me on how good my sound was, he was that impressed he asked could he bring [b]his[/b] bass to our next gig so that I could play it and he could listen to see what his bass would sound like through it, (of course I obliged).
Mick is now after a GB 900.

Great review Shep.

John

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And I am finding my STM600 (the alleged baby brother) to be great also.

I think unless you need a massive amount of low end/headroom (like Shep does) I cannot see an occasion where the cheaper 600 would not be more than loud enough. I am using mine into a Vanderkley 112 8 ohm cab, and it is more than loud enough. Honestly into a 4 ohm load, the 600 would be more than enough for almost anyone I would think.

So, don't overlook the cheaper one, it is the same in all other respects.

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[quote name='pantherairsoft' timestamp='1333143356' post='1598204']


I agree - The 600 will still be a beast. The 900 gives the headroom for pushing it with serious EQ changes which is a god send for me as I used to clip the output of every amp I used.
[/quote]

Totally agree there. The 9 just seems to be able to take it and push it right out. Never had that with a amp before.

Cracking little amp. :)

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[quote name='nottswarwick' timestamp='1333271654' post='1599348']
And I am finding my STM600 (the alleged baby brother) to be great also.

I think unless you need a massive amount of low end/headroom (like Shep does) I cannot see an occasion where the cheaper 600 would not be more than loud enough. I am using mine into a Vanderkley 112 8 ohm cab, and it is more than loud enough. Honestly into a 4 ohm load, the 600 would be more than enough for almost anyone I would think.

So, don't overlook the cheaper one, it is the same in all other respects.
[/quote]

I totally agree with this. The 600 is by no means 'under powered'. It's volume - power seems to be very high and I can't imagine many bassist not getting what they need out one. A lovely lovely amp.

Looking forward to trying out your little rig soon too Chris.

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[quote name='Raggy' timestamp='1333293365' post='1599632']
Totally agree there. The 9 just seems to be able to take it and push it right out. Never had that with a amp before.

Cracking little amp. :)
[/quote]

Totally. Last night was a LOUD gig and the amp was being run at about 2 or 2:30. The sound man wanted more sub from my DI so the EQ pedal on my 'sub channel' on my pedalboard was boosting about 8-10db of 50Hz before the Soundman was happy (we are a Drum & Bass act after all). I saw the clip light come on once (and I knew I'd dug in too hard before I saw it go). Thats the one and only time I've ever managed to clip the amp in anyway...

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I have already posted regarding my [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/218404-l400-no-bids-for-a-gb-streamliner-900"]eBay snip purchase[/url], and my [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/219019-nad-genz-benz-streamliner-900"]NAD excitement[/url], so now here's a fuller review based on a jam and a gig. My points of reference are the Ashdown ABM rig that I used for about 10 years, and the TC Classic that I've been running through BF Compact and Midget for the last year or so. Bear in mind I bought this head used, about a year old, and all my basses are strung with flats.

[b]FEATURES 8/10[/b]

I much prefer the TC's 4-band EQ over the Ashdown's 7-band knob/graphic mix. The 900 has passive treble and bass plus active mids with 3 frequencies to choose from, which is just fine for me. The Gain/Volume/Master setup has me scratching my head a bit - once Gain is set to taste, does it matter whether I turn up Volume or Master to get the desired sound level? What's the difference? This is where the TC scores - you can just add in some dirt from the TubeTone(TM) control, without upsetting your overall volume level too much.

I would miss the Mute switch if it wasn't there.

Round the back there is all I will need and more. I don't use effects, but it's handy to be able to plug in an iPod and play along on headphones.

If I am being fussy, an on-board tuner would be nice, but this amp isn't really about bells and whistles.

[b]BUILD 9/10[/b]

The build and finish seem classier than on the TC. The Gain and Mute switches have a positive chunky feel, and the input socket is secured to the front panel (unlike the TC's, which seems to be at the mercy of its PCB solder joints!) Inside, the valve pre-amp board uses mainly full-size components, which is good news for servicing, or even modding!

Unfortunately, the fitted rubber feet do not clear the handle on the BF Midget, so I have had to fit some bigger ones (which are actually door-stops - I did the same with the TC). Also some 'rack handle' doodads, like those fitted to GK's MB series micro heads, would offer some protection to the front panel knobs. This would only be an issue if the amp were to be dropped onto its front panel. In practice I just cart it around in a lap-top bag.

There is a bit of a crackle on the Volume pot. This disappeared after a blast of switch cleaner, but then came back. Changing a pot is no biggie if I have to do it, but sourcing a perfect fit in the right value can be hard work.

I binned the second and third pre-amp valves (both Ruby Tubes) as they failed on my Orange Valve Tester. For the moment I have replaced them with some unbranded valves that I think came out of a Peavey Duel guitar amp I once owned, but I will have to get some quality replacements I think. I hope the pre-amp design isn't prematurely killing them, mind - I'll have to get my meter out and check some voltages on the board.

[b]SOUND 9/10[/b]

I was initially underwhelmed with the sound when playing my Sandberg VM4 into the Compact. It seemed a bit bland after the TC's mid-heaviness, and I had to engage the Gain switch and take the Gain up to at least 1- or 2-o'clock to get the kind of 'splat' that I was after. Things began to look up when I tried my G&L 5-er into the Midget. This bass has a humongous output, even in passive mode. I auditioned it through a Streamliner at the Bass Gallery prior to buying it, so no surprise really. For both these basses I ended up cutting bass; boosting mids @ 600Hz for the VM4, and... I can't now remember what I did with the mids on the G&L! The 900 seems much more flexible than the TC, in the sense that you get much more response to your bass's settings at the low and high ends of the range. Whereas the TC effectively has 4 mid controls with centre frequencies an octave apart, the 900 lets through treble and bass frequencies that the TC hides. (The TC has a HPF at 65Hz and a LPF at 5kHz I believe).

On to the jam, where I took my Yamaha fretless. Unfortunately the battle for floor space meant I ended up standing behind my rig (just took the Midget), so I didn't quite realise what it was pushing out until andyonbass came over and politely suggested I might turn it down a bit. Towards the end of the session I was able to hear someone else playing my fretless through the rig, and it sounded pretty good from out front.

In the evening my gig was with a trio covering punk, indie, and a bit of pop. I used the VM4 through the full stack, i.e. head+Midget+Compact. The venue was a pub, and only the vocals went through the PA. I used in-ear monitors with earphones giving quite a high level of isolation; this protects my over-sensitive right ear, but I often loosen or remove the left 'phone rather than just rely on spill into the mics. For the soundcheck I walked out front (I have a long lead!) and heard what I can only describe as righteous tone. I vary the bass's pickup blend and tone controls from song to song, for example P pickup with the treble up for pick playing on songs like [i]American Idiot[/i], pickup mix with a bit less treble for finger-style on [i]Under the Bridge[/i], P pickup with treble all off and slight bass boost for [i]Baggy Trousers [/i](fingers again). The 900 lets you hear even small differences in settings, which tend to get a bit lost through the TC.

The musical highlight of the night was the final encore, where we go from [i]Cigarettes and Alcohol[/i] into [i]Good Times[/i] and [i]Get Lucky[/i], then back again to finish. With a 75%MM/25%P pickup mix and a slight treble boost, I got a great phat and funky tone that put a smile on my face!

[b]VALUE FOR MONEY N/A[/b]

Hard to comment on this as I bought used, but definitely worth what I paid!

[b]OVERALL 9/10[/b]

Well the TC has been relegated to a spare I think. It's great that these days you can carry a spare amp over your shoulder! I feel as though I have gone up a division with this head - it's one of those bits of kit that somehow allows you to play better by sounding better.

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