Gallien Krueger Legacy 500/800 comparison

[Cscsiga]

Hello,

I'm planning to buy a modern smaller head and the new GK legacy series are looking good. 
Since I only use old solid state heads for years now (various Sunn, Acoustic and Peavey models), and the only one I haven't owned or tried yet is the classic 800RB, I'm curious if anybody compared the new heads to the old 800 RB. 
I read some other threads about the power ratings of the heads that the 500 model is not really 500W, the 800 is the real deal, but my current vintage SS heads are between 100-200W and they are loud as hell on my 810 cab. 
The simple answer would be 'get the original 800rb lad', but you know, this new one just looks great.  Anyway if any of you have any experience with the old compared to the new one, just shoot it below.
 

Edited May 25, 2020 by Cscsiga

[gorandelac]

On 25/05/2020 at 14:19, Cscsiga said:

Hello,

I'm planning to buy a modern smaller head and the new GK legacy series are looking good. 
Since I only use old solid state heads for years now (various Sunn, Acoustic and Peavey models), and the only one I haven't owned or tried yet is the classic 800RB, I'm curious if anybody compared the new heads to the old 800 RB. 
I read some other threads about the power ratings of the heads that the 500 model is not really 500W, the 800 is the real deal, but my current vintage SS heads are between 100-200W and they are loud as hell on my 810 cab. 
The simple answer would be 'get the original 800rb lad', but you know, this new one just looks great.  Anyway if any of you have any experience with the old compared to the new one, just shoot it below.
 

So, I see that you have same issue as me, did you pull the trigger back then?

 

Thanks

[eude]

I have the Legacy 500, I didn't read the specs before buying, but the price was too good to pass up.

The power rating was a bit of a surprise, however, I've found that it is way louder than similarly rated amps.

I put it up against a well known class D amp rated 500w at 4 ohms through a 4 ohm 4x10, and the GK's 300w at 4 ohms was significantly louder and had way more to give too.

GK rate their specs at 1% THD which I believe is about as honest as this stuff gets these days. I expect most class D amps are rated at higher THD meaning that their useful output will be smaller...