NAD: Ashdown RM500 EVO II

[Lozz196]

Re Tonehammer query, I previously used one prior to Ashdown, with a Sansamp. to beef it up. I found I could pretty much get the the sound of the TH & Sansamp from the RM500 in its own (and of course from the ABM too).

The RM does a very good ABM impression, in pubs & smaller venues/rehearsal rooms difficult to tell apart, but once you get on the bigger stages the ABM comes into its own, carrying the weight of the sound better. 

[Sven]

Thank you all for the great feedback... I'm currently using an ABM (actually I have been using it for years, it's an Evo II, so it's quite an older version). But for smaller pubs / rehearsals and also as a backup I'm considering one of the RM... So I'm glad to hear that I could dial quite a similar tone from those. Thanks!

[Lozz196]

Yeah the tone-shape button on the RM is pretty much an ABM switch. If you use the pre shape on your ABM then this feature on the RM gets you almost exactly the same sound.

[javi_bassist]

On 24/08/2019 at 10:38, Sven said:

Thank you all for the great feedback... I'm currently using an ABM (actually I have been using it for years, it's an Evo II, so it's quite an older version). But for smaller pubs / rehearsals and also as a backup I'm considering one of the RM... So I'm glad to hear that I could dial quite a similar tone from those. Thanks!

I have used the ABM Evo II for years. Last year I got the RM and I absolutely love it. To me, the ABM has more low end and a better EQ. However, the RM is the best class D amp I have ever tried. The EQ is really good and the sound is Ashdown. If I had to choose, I'd go with the ABM. But since I play a lot lately, the weight of the RM is impressive. I only gig with it now.

[FinnDave]

I played a couple of gigs this weekend with my RM800 head and newly acquired Super Compact, no problems whatsoever. Powerful and portable little rig.

[mep]

Thread revival. Took delivery of mine the other day. I have it paired with a BF Two10. Can't wait to gig it in 3 weeks. I assume you can use the DI out without connecting a speaker cab?, as this is how I practice with the band using just the PA in small room. 

[Merton]

Yup this head is ok to use without speakers - there’s a headphone socket on the back with a button which (I think) defeats the speaker outs - try and see. Nothing should blow up....

[Lozz196]

Congrats, am sure it`ll sound great with the Two10.

[mep]

I've used my RM500evoII at a practice and gig and am very impressed. Even our guitarist was impressed too! Easy to get a great sound which really filled the stage and venue. Cant wait untill the next gig. 

[gjones]

In the rehearsal room I use, they have one of these. It's paired with an ashdown 4x10 and sounds great.

I've owned a few Ashdown amps, starting with an entry level, Electric Blue combo, then an ABM 500 III and finally a D Class MiBass 550 head.

They all sounded excellent and I've never had to tweak the EQ massively, to get a great sound out of them.

[PatrickJ]

How does the core sound of the RM Evo II compare to other popular Class D amps out there.  I'm thinking specifically of the likes of the Mark Bass LM III.

I have a MB LMT head and 2x10 traveller cab as my light weight portable rig but I'm becoming a bit of an Ashdown convert and the RM range has piqued my interest.  I'm not after Rock tones but something that is fairly versatile and can deliver cleaner more modern hifi tones but can dial in some vintage tones if needed.

I'd probably be looking at the lower powered 300 watt version in the fancy Ashdown red.

[uk_lefty]

8 hours ago, PJ-Bassist said:

How does the core sound of the RM Evo II compare to other popular Class D amps out there.  I'm thinking specifically of the likes of the Mark Bass LM III.

I have a MB LMT head and 2x10 traveller cab as my light weight portable rig but I'm becoming a bit of an Ashdown convert and the RM range has piqued my interest.  I'm not after Rock tones but something that is fairly versatile and can deliver cleaner more modern hifi tones but can dial in some vintage tones if needed.

I'd probably be looking at the lower powered 300 watt version in the fancy Ashdown red.

My personal view is that the Mark Bass probably does clean and compressed a bit better. However, that's not for everyone. I like a clean amp sound but with emulators now you can pretty much have what you want. My Boss board has a Trace Elliot sound that I use a lot with the Ashdown eq disabled, for example. 

[mep]

I'm hijacking this thread again!

I used my RM500evoII at the same pub twice in quick succession and was really impressed. The second time it was for a multi band wedding party for landlord. I got chatting to the bass player of the previous band and he was very complimentary of my sound and was telling his band mates why can't he sound like that.

The next gig was at a smaller pup where I always need to turn down and don't go through the PA. Straight away i didn't like my sound and neither did the singer in our sound check. I needed to make some small eq chances, but what really annoyed and surprised me was thst I had to turn up my volume massively to be heard properly. My previous TC450 was on 2.5 here but the RM was on 7.

The next day I set up st home and there was a loud hum when the compression circuit was engaged, and to be lesser extent the eq  circuit too. It was really noticeable at volume 1! It wasnt there when i fisrt got it. Needless to say it gone back to PMT to get checked out. I don't have a gig until later in April so hopefully I'll be back up running with it soon. Not a great start.

[stewblack]

Regarding the shiny (impossible to read) front. Does anyone know if the new matt finish is a straight swap for the mirrored one? 

If so I might see if Ashdown can supply a replacement. Using masking tape and magic marker right now. It's not the best look. 

[Lozz196]

Firm my understanding it is Stew, tho requires a degree of practicality to do it. I’m sure Dave at Ashdown would offer best advice on this.

[stewblack]

13 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Firm my understanding it is Stew, tho requires a degree of practicality to do it. I’m sure Dave at Ashdown would offer best advice on this.

Thanks mate, I'll give them a shout. 

So glad I listened to your advice this amp is just soo good 

[Merton]

Yep it's definitely interchangeable but a complete ballache to do as not designed to be a feature. I prefer the mirror finish I have to say!

[uk_lefty]

1 hour ago, Merton said:

Yep it's definitely interchangeable but a complete ballache to do as not designed to be a feature. I prefer the mirror finish I have to say!

It's never been an issue for me. But I don't play with my knobs in public. 

[stewblack]

Don't know if it's the angle is the problem, maybe if the front was higher the curse of the varifocal specs wearer might not come into play. 

[Lozz196]

9 hours ago, stewblack said:

Thanks mate, I'll give them a shout. 

So glad I listened to your advice this amp is just soo good 

Glad to hear it Stew, they really are amazingly good little amps aren’t they?

[stewblack]

38 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Glad to hear it Stew, they really are amazingly good little amps aren’t they?

Only used it for two gigs and a handful of rehearsals but I really like it. 

[Stofferson]

Just tried one at pirate in Sheffield's.

Well the 500 watt combo version.

I'm very impressed, the eq sound great, kicks out nicely.