Power amp for modelers. Alternatives. Class D vs Class AB?

[laxu]

I never found: what if the microtube in the Bluguitar fails? It's not easy to swap it, and they don't sell it as far as I know.

I'm sure BluGuitar will help you with that. They are so confident in the tube's durability that it's soldered straight on the board. It's not meant to be replaced.

 

[Chocol8]

My more cynical fix to the post above:

They are so confident in the tube's durability probability of lasting longer than the warranty period that it's soldered straight on the board. It's not meant to be replaced, but they may be happy to charge you to solder a new one in if it's profitable.

 

[gearJunkie]

A new offering from Red Sound....

AMP S (PRE-ORDER) “15 days of waiting” – Red Sound Shop

direct.redsound.it

 

[OrganicZed]

A new offering from Red Sound....

AMP S (PRE-ORDER) “15 days of waiting” – Red Sound Shop

direct.redsound.it

Not a lot of info given with regards to the amp design, frequency response, or THD. Also, not sufficient power to fully drive 2 16 Ohm 4x12 cabinets. There is no mention of the ability to bridge the channels for mono operation either.

While the weight is nice a light (likely pointing towards a class D design), the dimensions are odd. Much like the Seymour Duncan Powerstage 700, it is too large to use on a pedalboard but it is also an odd size to rack mount. At least the layout of the I/O and controls is user friendly.

I’m curious what the USB C port is for.

 

[Foxmeister]

I'm sure BluGuitar will help you with that. They are so confident in the tube's durability that it's soldered straight on the board. It's not meant to be replaced.

They are probably right, but looking at the picture here, it seems to me that if you can get hold of a replacement tube, it could be replaced quite easily by someone moderately adept with a soldering iron.

 

[noizmsm]

I'm sure BluGuitar will help you with that. They are so confident in the tube's durability that it's soldered straight on the board. It's not meant to be replaced.

I'm really sure it's mean to last at least 5 or 10 years but imagine sending the unit to germany just to replace the power tube
That would be a headache. I dont know, everything about the blueamp was well thought except that part. It's quite impressive such a small tube that they probably asked the factory to made special for them output 100W.

However their preamp is solid state and digital? It's just an idea but what if they made a class D version of that. It would be cheaper and probably worry free regarding power amp failure.

The idea of a unit that covers clean to hi gain like that is brilliant. I wish more companies did this, a simple pedalboard with 4 channels that is focused on the idea that all you need are clean, crunch, more crunch and ultra hi gain.
If i buy a Fractal in the future I'd set up just like that, not interested in their hundreds of effects or routing. Simply 4 channel glory like if I had 4 amazing amps inside a small unit.

 

[laxu]

It's quite impressive such a small tube that they probably asked the factory to made special for them output 100W.

That's not how it works. The preamp and poweramp are solid-state. The tube is only there to provide poweramp distortion and behavior afaik.

So maybe now you see why it could last many decades. It's never stressed hard.