Monoprice 15 watt all tube amp. - Page 2

lkingston · #16 01-05-2019, 10:43 PM

I like this review. The sound as he demos it is very close to what I’m hearing. If you like what you hear in this demo, you’ll like the amp.

roylor4 · #17 01-06-2019, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkingston

I like this review. The sound as he demos it is very close to what I’m hearing. If you like what you hear in this demo, you’ll like the amp.

Can't get the video to play. I'd be interested to hear it.

lkingston · #18 01-06-2019, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roylor4

Can't get the video to play. I'd be interested to hear it.

Is this any better?

https://youtu.be/xAPhokBu28w

roylor4 · #19 01-07-2019, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkingston

Is this any better?

https://youtu.be/xAPhokBu28w

Yeah, that works.

Sorry, but just sounds like a run of the mill tube amp when played clean to me. It does play well with OD pedals. Great buy for the money though.

If this is your 1st tube amp it's not surprising that it sounds amazing to you. The warmth and dynamics are light years ahead on tube amps versus most SS amps. Most people can't believe how loud 15 watt tube amps are. They will literally shake stuff on your walls.

lkingston · #20 01-09-2019, 08:10 PM

I went to a music store and tried a bunch of Fender (and one Vox} 15 watt tube amps. I'm glad I did. They sounded wonderful, but certainly in the same ballpark as what I have with the Monoprice amp. I was worried that there might be a huge difference, but if there is I can't hear it. I didn't have the Monoprice with me to compare so I was going by memory, but what I heard there was very close to what I hear at home. Maybe my ears aren't finely tuned enough to hear the difference, but I'm happy!

Jaden · #21 01-09-2019, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkingston

I went to a music store and tried a bunch of Fender (and one Vox} 15 watt tube amps. I'm glad I did. They sounded wonderful, but certainly in the same ballpark as what I have with the Monoprice amp. I was worried that there might be a huge difference, but if there is I can't hear it. I didn't have the Monoprice with me to compare so I was going by memory, but what I heard there was very close to what I hear at home. Maybe my ears aren't finely tuned enough to hear the difference, but I'm happy!

I’m not surprised with your findings.
From what I understand all the pioneering work with regard to analogue amplification was worked out long ago, the basic circuits are well known and all amplifiers slightly vary the classic circuits to not breach patents if applicable. The incorporation of sometimes numerous gain stages to satisfy overdrive desires is often the extras which result in less clarity via corruption of the circuit.

Where the costs go through the roof with amps costing as much as a house is with the use of precious metals and hand wiring.

MikeBmusic · #22 01-10-2019, 07:51 AM

What hasn't been mentioned in this discussion (I think) are the speakers. A good 12" speaker will make all the difference in how a small tube amp will sound - and one has to 'break in' the speaker, too, before one gets a full tone out of it.

lkingston · #23 01-10-2019, 02:53 PM

The Monoprice 15 watt tube amp is an 8 inch speaker but there is an external speaker out.

lkingston · #24 01-15-2019, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

What hasn't been mentioned in this discussion (I think) are the speakers. A good 12" speaker will make all the difference in how a small tube amp will sound - and one has to 'break in' the speaker, too, before one gets a full tone out of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkingston

The Monoprice 15 watt tube amp is an 8 inch speaker but there is an external speaker out.

I just checked and I was wrong. The Monoprice 15 watt tube amp has a 12 inch Celestion, not an 8 inch speaker.

62&climbing · #25 02-04-2019, 07:11 AM

I too just purchased the Monoprice 15W amp. Supposed to arrive this coming Friday. Never had a tube amp. Curious.

KevWind · #26 02-04-2019, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkingston

Is this any better?

https://youtu.be/xAPhokBu28w

Here ya go

KevWind · #27 02-04-2019, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roylor4

Yeah, that works.

Sorry, but just sounds like a run of the mill tube amp when played clean to me. It does play well with OD pedals. Great buy for the money though.

If this is your 1st tube amp it's not surprising that it sounds amazing to you. The warmth and dynamics are light years ahead on tube amps versus most SS amps. Most people can't believe how loud 15 watt tube amps are. They will literally shake stuff on your walls.

Understanding of course that without knowing what the recording chain is, and the fact that it is 240p only Youtube streaming, that the sound maybe somewhat lackluster, regardless of what amp is being played.
I think I would reserve judgement until I was in the room

And that also goes for comparing one amp with another, there is no substitute for comparing directly side by side in the room