Hughes & Kettner Black Spirit 200 - Bionic 200W cute little monster

[Constructivist]

Have you seen this thing? They just came out with this today! 2 to 200 watt and loaded with goodies. What do ya all think? It will probably cost a quadrillion.

http://hughes-and-kettner.com/products/spirit/black-spirit-200/

There is a hilarious promotional video at the end. Amplifighters! I still miss the old street fighter days.

 

[Wolfhorsky]

I dunno. SS amp with magic gimmick is now priced higher than very many proper tube amps.... I don’t get it. I know it has lots of features, but to my ear it sounds stiff on h&k vids. Time will tell if it’s good.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

I dunno. SS amp with magic gimmick is now priced higher than very many proper tube amps.... I don’t get it. I know it has lots of features, but to my ear it sounds stiff on h&k vids. Time will tell if it’s good.

Over here, in the US, it's priced pretty competitively, which is surprising.

It's coming up as ~$800 from Sweetwater. The only tube amps in that range are either sub-30 watt mini heads and some stripped down, so-so 50 watt heads. It's the same price as the Yamaha THR100 2-channel and cheaper than ho-hum Positive Grid stuff.

As long as it's not awful or difficult to dial in, I can see this being competitive. But we'll see.

 

[Wolfhorsky]

Nice. Oh, today the price droped to 700-ish €.
Maybe it will prove us, that non-modeling ss amp can be good.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Maybe it will prove us, that non-modeling ss amp can be good.

I feel that has already been proven, but okay.

 

[Constructivist]

What is the story behind the spirit tone generator thingy? Is there a new technology around it?
The price is indeed surprisingly good.

 

[TGN]

Looks interesting. If it sounds decent it should be a very flexible and practical tool.

 

[narad]

What is the story behind the spirit tone generator thingy? Is there a new technology around it?

Cutting-edge marketing technology.

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

H&K usually make killer SS amps, so this might be a really solid amp.

 

[KnightBrolaire]

some cool ideas all smashed together into one package. The amplifighter video was funny. I'd have no use for but it looks like another great option for people looking for feature laden amps.

 

[Wolfhorsky]

I feel that has already been proven, but okay.

Oh, kay. YMMV. I like sag of tube poweramp or at least modelled one.

 

[Constructivist]

Oh, kay. YMMV. I like sag of tube poweramp or at least modelled one.

Yup! I guess that is a unique feature and really comes in handy for all bedroom warriors that record at low volumes.

 

[Ben Pinkus]

Yeah this is interesting, seems like H&K trying to do a more upmarket Boss katana?

Sounds from the vids are pretty cool, would consider getting one as a commutable amp where I wouldn't need a big board as well. Will keep my eyes open for these

 

[lewis]

Nothing sounds and feels like a tube amp except a tube amp.
Kempers and axe fxs get the closest and are killer units for all in one soloutions especially as live the crowd wont tell whats tube or not.

In a finished mix it doesnt matter now either
But to get a SS amp like this and pay more than a real tube amp (which will sound better) and a similar amount to a kemper/axe fx doesnt make sense either imo.

Like, who is their market?.

Confused tube amp owners who dont own one of the big 3 existing modelling products?

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Nothing sounds and feels like a tube amp except a tube amp.
Kempers and axe fxs get the closest and are killer units for all in one soloutions especially as live the crowd wont tell whats tube or not.

In a finished mix it doesnt matter now either
But to get a SS amp like this and pay more than a real tube amp (which will sound better) and a similar amount to a kemper/axe fx doesnt make sense either imo.

Like, who is their market?.

Confused tube amp owners who dont own one of the big 3 existing modelling products?

Are there any good tube amps under $800 new?

 

[Vyn]

Being able to turn off the built-in cab sim is an amazing and underrated feature. Quite a few current amps would be that much better off with that feature (looking at you 6505MH).

 

[Shoeless_jose]

Looks like they just made the Grandmeister Deluxe solid state. And an H and K without glowing tubes aint right.

 

[Wolfhorsky]

Are there any good tube amps under $800 new?

PRS MT15

 

[Andromalia]

Are there any good tube amps under $800 new?

Well, yes, unless if you define "good" by "lots of watts". I'd easily rate my tubemeister 18 as "good". That's the only point of comparison I have since it's the only amp I have left.

 

[lewis]

Are there any good tube amps under $800 new?

Randall RD45H Diavlo 45 Watt
Fortin Designed
£547 1 left in stock

https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/amp-head...Iuk7dzS7fpXVWqdFACsMdxvjmJxSHFOhoCGwgQAvD_BwE

Edit: Thomann have them at £543