Dafuq??? Bought a weird amp…

[spawnofthesith]

 

[EOengineer]

Props to the guys in here taking one for the team. Excited to read reports.

 

[AutomationBias]

The skeptic in me still think there’s gotta be a catch but I’m cautiously optimistic

The only catch is that the dude is in an active warzone.

 

[2dor]

I'm really curious how using toroidal transformers will impact the performance of the amplifier. Simply because we are accustomed to seeing large square transformers in traditional guitar amplifier builds does not mean they are better.

Typically, toroidal transformers are more efficient, so less heat will be generated. They also leak significantly less magnetic flux, so less noise / buzzing / vibration.

They also weigh less, so I don't see any obvious downside.

IIRC if they're used for the power transformer, toroidals are a pretty darn good choice. I have an amp with a toroidal power transformer with a Dagnal OT and that amp kicks like one mean, angry donkey.

 

[Aelred]

I'd check Import Controls etc for regions of the Ukraine (Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk), as any goods, serives or technology are prohibited from those regions. Just saying... I have no idea where Crab are located specifically.

https://www.cliffordchance.com/content/dam/cliffordchance/briefings/2024/04/ukraine-the-latest-global-sanctions-and-export-controls-18april.pdf

 

[Genghis]

So I watched a couple of his a videos and determined that the Dragon looks like it would complement the three amps own and placed an order. I’ll know in a couple of months if that’s a good thing.

 

[CorrosiveMatter]

Here is his playlist of amps.

 

[spawnofthesith]

He’s even got a JVM clone for Mr. @JiveTurkey

 

[EOengineer]

The Marcus sounds pretty fizzy to me - maybe it’s just the load or IR.

 

[spawnofthesith]

The Marcus sounds pretty fizzy to me - maybe it’s just the load or IR.

Sounds very much like any time I try and run a captor and an IR

I guy in a Mesa boogie group on FB sent me some iPhone recordings comparing his Marcus and VII, they were prettt damn close to each other

 

[sashimi]

 

[DrewJD82]

Definitely interested in hearing more about these as people get them. I saw the thread on FB about them and that Markus definitely has my attention!!! For $650 I wouldn’t expect a dead ringer, but something in the same ballpark would be pretty badass!

 

[spawnofthesith]

Yeah power amp is definitely different, 50 watts, not similclass (which obviously not all old marks are either but still) toroidal transformers, something about how the GEQ is wired in slightly different


All said all the (limited) user reviews are very positive and all coming from people who already have various marks that I’ve seen

I’m not expecting a “IIc+ killer” or even a “IIc+ RI” killer, so I think I have expectations in a reasonable spot

 

[AutomationBias]

I'd check Import Controls etc for regions of the Ukraine (Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk), as any goods, serives or technology are prohibited from those regions. Just saying... I have no idea where Crab are located specifically.

https://www.cliffordchance.com/content/dam/cliffordchance/briefings/2024/04/ukraine-the-latest-global-sanctions-and-export-controls-18april.pdf

Looks like he's in Kharkiv Oblast. Right on the front, but not (consistently) under Russian control.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Here is his playlist of amps.

Oh lordy the Mark III Lite vid has a guitar with a GK3 pickup on it

 

[JerEvil]

Yeah I’ve thought about the locale as well. Also, he’s apparently NOT a secret. A few other forums I’m on all know about him and other FB groups as well.

I’m definitely going to sell the 50 watt Satan and order a 100 watt version of it if I dig it, and get a 100 watt version of the Marcus. Mostly for more headroom on both which I think they’ll benefit from.

He ALSO has the verified schematics posted of the Wizard MTL and MCII

Granted they’ll sound much different due to transformers. But still…

 

[spawnofthesith]

I first heard of him like 2 months ago, and suddenly since then been starting to see the name everywhere haha

 

[JerEvil]

I first heard of him like 2 months ago, and suddenly since then been starting to see the name everywhere haha

Right? Even from people I know pretty well. I was like “well what the fuck guys???”

 

[JerEvil]

That Marcus III demo sounds just right to me.

I’m certainly not mad at it…

 

[Byrdman]

That crazy! Good sounding amps at a great price!! Tubes included? If so, a decent set of tubes here in states would be at least 1/3 the price of these amps.

Cant wait to hear how you guys like them.