Re: What do you guys think of the new generation of little big amps ?
I do not think it is as black-and-white as "EL84 amps sound like x because they use EL84s, and big bottle amps sound like y because they use big bottles". That's a simple over generalization, an amp is the sum of its parts, which does include tube type, but also heavily depends on the amps circuitry. EL84s aren't inherently chimey - they're just used that way because Vox used the EL84, and the whole design stuck and hasn't changed much. Most of the lunchbox amps have similar power sections, where the signal breaks up very early, there's no negative feedback, almost all of the low end is shunted in order to avoid damaging the cheap small speakers in cheap small speaker cabinets that come with the amp, and to keep these amps affordable, they skimp on the transformers - going for cheapest rather than the most optimal, which does affect the sound. EL84s don't have to sound that way at all - case in point, the Fender Bassbreaker - it's just that the inspiration from Vox in designing EL84 amps hasn't died out. I like Vox a lot, but they do their designs best. A cranked AC30 can easily get thumping and sound full "even with EL84s" and an open back cabinet. It doesn't have any of the problems associated with EL84 amps, and it is THE EL84 amp. I have one 6L6 amp and one EL84 amp, a Fender Bassman and a Voc Night Train. Does the 6L6 amp sound bigger? Duh - it's in the name "Bassman" - it's designed to sound huge, with an entirely different circuit. It has a negative feedback circuit with a capacitor to avoid cutting lows, which makes it sound like it has a huge bass boost, the preamp stages shape the EQ to be low-mid dominant, the amp is class AB, it is obviously much louder, etc. It is a completely different amp design. I can't judge an amp based on just the tubes.
