Hartke - used HA5000 or new LH500

[isteen]

Hi
Can anyone tell me about a ten years old HA5000?
Worth buying?
I don't know about the 2x250 watt thing, but I have 2 400 watt cabs at 4 ohm, is that a go or no go?
What ohms can the HA500 operate with, and would a new LH500 be a better choice? I think I could get a new LH500 for twice the price I will have to pay for the ten years old HA5000.
Thanks for all info

[Beer of the Bass]

This is very much a personal taste perspective, but I've never liked the HA series very much when I've plugged into them, whereas the LH500 sounds great with very little fiddling. I'd go for the LH500 given the choice, although your pair of 4-ohm cabs may not be the best match.

Edited September 27, 2014 by Beer of the Bass

[paul_5]

The HA500 is a much more versatile amp, with the mid control on the LH series being effectively 'cut only'. The HA will let you biamp too,so you can send low frequencies to one cab, and high frequencies to another - particularly useful if your two cabs are 10s and a 15.

[steve-bbb]

if youre ever likely to be using your rig where you might set up and allow other players to use it, personally i would opt for the LH500 as the controls are so basic and simple and it is impossible to overload the input as they are designed not to clip with line level inputs even when the amp is totally maxed out

the HA's can still get a decent sound but if you plan on allowing it to be used by other players at all then the options on the controls are 'too much' and there is a possibility that if you combine certain options that you could overload and cause damage ie both A & B input volumes too high together with EQ on and slope control on in + range would do some damage eventually to the head and/or cab(s)

regards amp loading, somebbody on here will probably know the answer very soon if not try emailing or phoning Hartke - they are very helpful

[barkin]

re: the HA5000 - each power amp will do 250W @ 4 Ohms, 170W @ 8 Ohms, so 2 x 4 Ohm cabs will be fine with one connecetd to each amp output.

I've got both HA's and a LH500. While I like the HA amps, they're quite different to the LH. The HA's, to me, seem to have typical Hartke voicing best suited if you're after a bright modern sound. More versatile too, with the graphic, crossover etc.

The LH500 just gives a lovely super clean, fat, warm valvey sound. Less knobs to fiddle with too The EQ can be confusing though, and can be a bit mid-shy so might not suit your cabs. And they're bloody loud.

[bonzodog]

Ive owned the HA 300w and now have a LH500. As has already been said the LH is very simple to use but sounds lovely so I would opt for that one

[indiegrungesound]

I love Hartke amps, so just make sure you get the one that best matches the power handling of your cabs!

[barkin]

Also bear in mind that the LH500 is 4 Ohm minimum, so you won't be able to use 2 x 4 Ohm cabs.

Edited September 29, 2014 by barkin