NAD _Laney IRF Dual-top 60W SS

Phantasmagoria

Phantasmagoria

watch where you point that sabre
Came in yesterday afternoon but I was down w/ the flu and was'nt feeling that great so I just got it unpacked this AM. This is my third from the Ironheart family and looks just like a dinky version of my 120 W head. Size wise it's just marginally smaller than my Laboga The Beast 30W heads..so not ridiculously tiny.

Soundwise ..it's absolutely in the ballpark of the other Ironheart's though it's solid state (not that I can even tell). Hooked it up to my Vox 1x12, grabbed the closest guitar (my Yamaha Pacifica) and recorded more emotional Jazz within minutes of getting it unpacked :bigthumb:

Can't wait to get going w/ the shred & neoclassical & all that fun stuff (coming up soon :bigthumb:)

 
With my new Ibby RGT (Br. Dmz TZ pup) & Wishbone Ash's Epic Af classic "Throw down your sword" as a backing track :bigthumb:

I selected the "Dark" voicing & "Assymetrical" clipping for this one (last clip was "bright") Onboard boost & reverb (no other Fx/processing).



This does have a few switchable options my other two Ironheart's don't (voicing selector, clipping selector etc) Dialing it is familiar and pretty much identical to my other Ironheart's.
 
Same thing w/ "bright" voicing & "symmetrical" clipping:


It has a three way mini toggle w/ three voicings (bright, normal & dark) & another three way mini toggle for Asssymetrical, Clean & Symmetrical clipping ..not sure what that's all about but all three sound/feel different....so that's a good thing :bigthumb:)
 
The bright voicing gives it a grainy, Marshally hi-mid/trebly bite/texture....while the dark/normal voicings are smoother. I can get the same kinda tonal variation w/ my other Ironheart's using the push-pull EQ. This one just uses the voicing & clipping switches to get there instead..
 
Laney-SS-4.jpg


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And back to my comfort zone w/ my Sire S7 (Bridge pup) Amp was set to Voicing: Flat, Clipping: Clean...




This amp is a worthy addition to my Solid State stable alongside my AMT Stonehead, Randall T2 & Orange Crushes. The way it sounds, responds and feels is totally indistinguishable from a tube amp...and @ 60 Watts it's f'n loud too :bigthumb:​
 
Laney SS w/ my Ibanez S870FM _needs a bit of tuning :p ( Voicing Flat, Clipping Assymetrical) Vox 1x12...



The old digits area bit stiff and painful thanks to w/e bug I have atm but I just soldiered on anyway :bigthumb:
 
Don't get me wrong I love a nice tube amp as much as anyone....but It's more of a thrill when I get my hands on an SS amp that has no problem keeping up like this little beast

Can't wait to A/B it against the other Ironhearts...should be fun :bigthumb:
 
What is your opinion between the IFS and IRT Studio? I can grab an IRT Studio (almost) locally and 15w/1w is enough for me.
 
donaldr said:
What is your opinion between the IFS and IRT Studio? I can grab an IRT Studio (almost) locally and 15w/1w is enough for me.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure they can both produce identical tones. The IRF being solid state does'nt change that...it's ridiculously tube-like even to play. They both switch down to 1 Watt & sound great that way In fact all my clips are with the amps on their 1 Watt setting. While I have'nt cranked them up I'm sure they will both keep up with a reasonable drummer.

I just love the tone this amp has..they're (all versions) in the same ballpark...
 
haha, well in the end it's probably a Class D power amp section and they all run on those..

I just wanted the IRF to see how it compares, I really dig super-tube-like SS amps. They give me a kick :bigthumb:


Next up wit my DIY 1x12 (Semi-open back - Eminence Legend GB128 + SM57). Ibby RGT Premium (neck & bridge pups) Amp Voicing: Dark/ Assym clipping.

 
Some Blues w/ my Sire strat's neck pup into the IRF/Vox 1x12. Sounds like the whole guitar's falling apart. .it's so raspy & splattery :p

This axe is strung w/ 10's instead of my usual 9's so I messed up some bends at the start....but eh that's what gives it character...

 
Giving the same thing a shot w/ actives..


Fishman Open Core Classic Neck (Hot rodded humbucker - Tone pot pulled)

Sounds great w/ actives imo. I can foresee the upcoming neoclassical/shred stuff sounding pretty sweet :bigthumb:
 
Time to turn my neck-thru H-H Ibanez RGT into a Malmsteen Strat :bigthumb:...

Amp: Voicing Flat, Clipping Clean. RGT axe - Tone Zone Bridge + Alter Switch on....& ...pedal to the metal :D

Recorded at pretty much whisper-loud levels at 5:00 am..


Just going to come out and say it outright ..nothing beats the good Solid State stuff for ass-ripping shred. That nth of a quicker response time makes all the difference :bigthumb:

The whole playing experience (effortless) becomes more "Zen" :D

Also this amp is really, really transparent & lets what you feed into it come through...
 
Same thing w/ the "Voicing" switched over to "Dark"

I like that it's noticeable (if you don't have cauliflower ear) but subtle...ie. not like throwing a blanket over the amp...


 
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