Mark bass tube 500/800

[lojo]

Only £50 difference in the new price for these , anyone give any thoughts, the 500s have plenty of power but for an extra 10% in cost is it worth getting the extra headroom?

Any other differences in these Amps?

I use 2 x 210 cabs

[Prime_BASS]

I'm not clued up on the tech stuff but the 500 will be plenty with the cabbage you use.
500 and 800 will both make the cabs go as loud as they can go, the 500 might feel it runs out of juice sooner though, but you won't need to push it that hard anyway.

800's power amp isn't as good as the 500 though. The 500 on burst goes above that and it's continuous is just under 500. The 800's burst I don't remember but it's continuous is around 650 watts.

Personally the 500 would be good for me, but if you can afford the extra 50 why not get the 800?

[chrismuzz]

I have the 800 and I'm very happy with it. Different power amp to the one in the 500w F1 I used to have but I much prefer it. I'd say it'd worth the extra cash

[Kevin Dean]

a mate of mine was an MB dealer , I think the 800 watt is digital & to our ears the 500 watt version sounded better & louder .

[Sparky Mark]

From recent questioning of Markbass it appears that all 500 watt heads and combos now use the same class D power amp as the Big Bang head, which reportedly sounds different (warmer perhaps?) than the previous class D LM(T)800.

Edited January 1, 2015 by Sparky Mark

[Handwired]

You'll get enough volume from either but it's the difference in sound you should concern yourself with, the power amps are totaly different, I personaly prefered the 800 as I liked it's massive depth.

[chrismuzz]

My tube 800 has loads of warmth, I prefer it massively over the F1 I used to have

[Raslee]

Not any experience of the 500 but love my LMT 800...very versatile in sound, i'd go for the 800W as you still get 500W if using an 8ohm cab...350W from the 500 amp may be a struggle for larger gigs if you want headroom.