Small "Hifi" amp head recommendations sought!

[andyhaines]

Hey All,

 

Sadly my new PJB D400 is going back. Much as I love the open, clear "hifi" sound, the preamp section is just a bit too noisy for my fussy tastes - which becomes especially apparent when played through a high quality, revealing cab such as the LFSys Monza.

 

So the hunt is back on for a suitable head - here's what it needs to do:

*Easily fits into a gig/shoulder bag

* Doesn't need to be huge wattage (200+w) as the Monza does an astonishingly efficient job and I never play loud gigs.

* Transparent, hifi sounding - basically all the usual awful adjectives that get thrown around! I love the PJB sound but haven't really tried any other similar amps

* After my recent experience absolutely must have the lowest possible noise floor at both pre and power amp stages and through the DI

* FX Loop and pre/post DI

* Budget £450-£800

 

As with my "search for a cab" thread, I'm primarily playing Zon and Sei fretlesses with a touch of reverb for solo / small acousticy ensembles with the occasional theatre band pit and jazz gig thrown in. It will also be my main preamp for DI'ing into my PC for Zoom teaching online.

 

Aside from the PJB BP800, the only other likely candidate that looks promising see would be the Eich T300. I suspect I could be a Glockenklang fan but they don't yet make anything physically small enough.

 

But do please chip in with thoughts, experiences etc.

 

Thanks!

 

Andy

[Hellzero]

To date, the most transparent amp I've played is the GR Bass One series, but if you want to have the possibility to defeat the fan you'll have to choose the 800 version and use the studio mode.

 

Furthermore GR Bass are not "overpowering" their specified output power like Eich is doing, funnily they use the same ICE power module, but they don't use the same output power specs.

 

I've repaired a few Eich heads and there's a lot a bad marketing used to sell some bullshīt.

 

The TrickFish Bullhead mini 500 is the other transparent amp available (Mike Pope preamp inside).

 

Both are expensive, but worth a try.

 

Acoustic Image, Vanderkley and Hevos are also transparent amps, but the 3 brands are out of the market and you'll have to check the second hand market.

[pete.young]

I'm using a Euphonic Audio iAmp doubler with my Monza. It's very clear, but once again no longer available although they pop up second hand in the market place from time to time.

 

I also have a Walkabout Scout which is more old style than modern transparent, but does sound fantastic through the Monza with bass guitar - less so with double bass.