TRBboy

Seems great so far! Do you notice a real 'boost' when you have the preamp blend set to 12 o'clock? Is that a P5 too..... 😃 I keep ogling the 5 string version!

I won't do a seperate post, but my replacement for the LM800 has arrived today; a lovely Little Mark Tube! I've only given it a quick try, but it sounds great so far. Inherently brighter than the LM2 possibly? We will see. No gig this weekend though sadly!i will report back after next Friday's gig. 😊👍

I think some people are asking too much if I'm honest, but you're right the prices vary wildly! There are bargains to be had out there though, you just have to keep looking. 😊

Not that anyone's particularly interested 😂 but I had the speaker out tonight. Not many clues, but a quick Google of the number on the magnet suggests to me that it's an Eden speaker. I think 300w RMS, 8 ohm impedence. I was only curious because it sounds SO good. Mystery solved, I think. 🤷🏻‍♂️

As an old boss of mine used to say, one man's Coq au Vin is another man's chicken in a basket! 😂

That's a big part of the problem here isn't it, there's so many variables at play that make up the 'sound' we all hear, including the fact that we likely all hear things slightly differently! I can't find anything scientific that says a class A/B power amp should sound any different to a Class D poweramp, assuming all other things are equal. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I am no electrical expert, but I don't believe there is from everything I've read so far. Watts are Watts are Watts, regardless of amp class. Harmonic content may be noticeable between say solid state and tube, but then you can have an A/B class power stage of either of those 🤷🏻‍♂️ I just read an interesting point that most PA/FOH/Live sound installs have been class D powered for quite some time now, and no one complains that they are lacking vs heavy transistor amps. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Yeah I know what you mean, and I do just try to use my ears as much as I can. I tried all sorts with the shuttle, watched Ed Friedland's review and settings, etc. I ended up boosting the lowest mid range frequency as he did, because actually it did sound best. The versatility of the preamp wasn't the problem, and you could easily dial in a nice tone. The problem for me was that there didn't seem to be enough breadth or 'guts' to the sound. In the band mix it just got a bit lost and felt a bit 2 dimensional. As an aside, I have to say that coming back to Markbass after nearly 10 years is a beautiful thing! It's the happiest I've been with my sound for a very long time! And that GR cab just slays! 😎😜

Ah okay, I've no experience of that one myself. From the Class D heads I have had, I've certainly found that they're not all created equal. The GB Shuttle 9.2 I had was powerful, and had a good eq section, but I always somehow found it lacking. It just wasn't 'present' and seemed to be lacking body. In contrast, the Aguilar AG700 I had was excellent, warm, powerful, full sounding, and just generally awesome.... Yeah I regret selling it! 😂 I found the fender rumble much the same. Both sounded great in a loud rock band, whereas the Shuttle always seemed to get a little lost. So in essence, I don't think the power amp classification creates an absolute rule on whether the amp will be good or bad in a band context, like with any class of amp it's just down to the overall design and execution, and whether it is the right amp to deliver your expectations.

That's what I figured, thanks 😊👍

Hey folks! I'm buying a cracking little Ashdown cab from local BCer @vmaxblues, and he bought it from someone on BC. The speaker was replaced at some point, and I'm really curious what it is (it sounds fantastic! 😍). I realise I could drop the speaker out, but I thought it was easier to ask in the first instance. So, was this your cab? Do you know anything about it? Thanks for any help. 😊🙏

That's hopefully what I have coming end of the week to replace the LM800 😊👍

What class D amp did you have Pete?

So, after further consideration on the LM800 and more time spent with it, I've sent it back today. It worked okay, but did have some issues (mainly cosmetic). Ultimately, I didn't feel like it had been looked after by its previous owner, and this gives me uncertainty over reliability. That maybe silly, but it is what it is. I think I've found something else suitable, but whatever I get will definitely be a Markbass head regardless 😊👍

Thanks for this, the chap I'm borrowing this LMII has had MB amps for years, various models, and never had an issue with any 🤷🏻‍♂️

Exactly what I'm thinking Rob! 😉👌

Thanks man, this is exactly the conclusion I'm coming to. Its extremely rarely I need to DI, but I have my MXR Bass DI+ on my board if I want to go out before the amp. Thanks for your help 😊🙏

I've just read the first few pages, and I'm not sure what the point or conclusion of the thread is 😂🙈 seems to just be conjecture and subjectivity. Ultimately, any amp can go wrong a) if its badly mistreated, or b) if a component fails. I don't really see that the liklihood of either occurring have any direct correlation to what the amp class is? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Thanks for this, I get what you're saying. 😊👍

So guys, do the newer Class D models not have the same reliability issues, RE component failure? Is the LM800 class D? 😬🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️😅

Would the subtle differences be discernable in a band mix? I am no solo virtuoso! 😂👍

Out of interest, what is likely to go wrong over time, assuming they're looked after and not run flat out all the time?

Yes, the LM800 arrived Friday, but I don't know if it's far more power than I'll ever need, and as I bought it from a reputable vendor I have a window of opportunity to return. The LM2 seems to sound the same but obvs much cheaper. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Thanks Mark! Very helpful. I had always assumed (wrongly it seems) that all the markbass heads were Class D, I guess mainly because of how small/light they are. As I said, the loaner I gigged last night blew me away! Such great tone and PLENTY of power! Are they generally pretty reliable? I did have the same amp in a CMD102P (from around 2006), which sounded great and never skipped a beat in my ownership. 😉👌

Hey folks! Yes I have googled this, and I've found threads on here and TB, but they all seem to go off in many tangents and not really answer the question. 😂 Aside from the pre/post DI switch and the line out level knob, is there actually any difference between the LM II and III? I gigged a LM II loaned by a friend tonight, and I thought it was just incredible. I can't see that it's worth spending extra on a III though if those are the only differences. Thanks for any insight you can offer. 😉👍