Swell Amps

[deadpool_25]

A friend told me about these amps which are apparently made here in Phoenix. I don't know the guy who makes them and it's not really my style of amp but it seems to sound good.

Edit because it's not obvious but there are a few pics of the amp and some of its guts if you scroll through the pics (can be done right within this post if desired).

 

[norminal]

Interesting output transformer-less design. Fender and Marshall in one amp isn’t necessarily a new concept, right? I’d be interested in trying one.

 

[MatrixClaw]

Very interesting. $3500 seems steep for a basically unknown brand, though

 

[deadpool_25]

Very interesting. $3500 seems steep for a basically unknown brand, though

I didn't even see the price. That does seem kinda high at first glance but idk. If it's built in the USA...and boutique is always spendy right?

 

[laxu]

The "Stereo Class D output amp (~200W total)" part always makes me wonder "Is this just another box with an ICEPower module packed into it?"

 

[newholland]

why would you need an output transformer if its not a tube amp?

it sounds like marketing doublespeak to me. its solid state.

 

[deadpool_25]

why would you need an output transformer if its not a tube amp?

it sounds like marketing doublespeak to me. its solid state.

Huh?

 

[metropolis_4]

So it sounds like the 6l6 and el34 tubes are being used as a tone sculpting circuit and then it is fed to a solid state power amp?

Basically it’s a full tube amp + reactive load + solid state power amp all in one?

 

[AutomationBias]

There are more clips on their website.

It sounds good, but it also sounds like any number of other amps. Pretty hard sell at $3500.

 

[laxu]

Seems like that Instagram post in OP is talking about an entirely different amp from the Dulcet 30 advertised on the website. The Dulcet 30 has an output transformer based on the pics and seems to have just a built in reactive load.

 

[deadpool_25]

Seems like that Instagram post in OP is talking about an entirely different amp from the Dulcet 30 advertised on the website. The Dulcet 30 has an output transformer based on the pics and seems to have just a built in reactive load.

Yeah I noticed that too. Looks like they have a few different amps.

And the Dulcet 30 sounds good to me as well.

 

[newholland]

Huh?

Huh?

View attachment 44250

a class d power amp is a chip amp.

its definitely got a solid state aspect going on- that looks like some sort of soviet era rube goldberg machine ir maybe the dashboard of the delorean in back to the future

fwiw- im not making fun of it at all in reality- but not understanding why youd add a 50w el34 section and the dump it into the equivalent of a crown PA amp is all.

 

[deadpool_25]

a class d power amp is a chip amp.

its definitely got a solid state aspect going on- that looks like some sort of soviet era rube goldberg machine ir maybe the dashboard of the delorean in back to the future

fwiw- im not making fun of it at all in reality- but not understanding why youd add a 50w el34 section and the dump it into the equivalent of a crown PA amp is all.

Ah gotcha. Yeah it's like sending a tube amp into a load box and then into a SS power amp and then into a cab. Definitely a different take on the built in load box idea when you not only add the load box but also the power amp.

 

[newholland]

Ah gotcha. Yeah it's like sending a tube amp into a load box and then into a SS power amp and then into a cab. Definitely a different take on the built in load box idea when you not only add the load box but also the power amp.

yeah- sounds like thats the mission, its just kinda reinventing the wheel in the most expensive way possible. i mean- otl amps are okay for hifi- just kinda low powered and if you really pound them bias wise, theyre juicy sounding, but im not sure id quite go this circuitous of a path.. i think if what hes doing is seriously hotrodding that style of amp, it COULD be harmonically interesting- but might be a tough sell for a lotta players. all the otls ive heard (again- mostly hifi headphone amps) are pretty smooth and classy... so maybe its kinda aiming at the dumble crowd?

 

[laxu]

Ah gotcha. Yeah it's like sending a tube amp into a load box and then into a SS power amp and then into a cab. Definitely a different take on the built in load box idea when you not only add the load box but also the power amp.

Guytron did that ages ago with the all tube GT-100.

Preamp -> EL84 power section -> loadbox -> EL34 power section.

Never seen one in person, but apparently they are very heavy amps.

 

[metropolis_4]

If it all works together really well it could be great, but it’s kind of a hard sell when there are benefits to using separate pieces instead (such as getting to pick the load and power amp you like best)

 

[JiveTurkey]

They should hire Xzibit as an endorser

 

[metropolis_4]

They should hire Xzibit as an endorser

Please don’t. I don’t need to spend $3500 on an amp just because their adds made me laugh