Genz Benz Streamliner 900

Aussie Mark · February 01, 2011, 04:41:01 PM

Ed Friedland's demo ...

Basshappi · February 02, 2011, 11:51:50 AM

I am very interested in this amp. With the exception of the Ampeg combo I bought 8 years ago, I have been using the same amp that I bought back in 1983. I have been thinking of getting a new amp over the last few years and have been very interested in these new breed of light weight/high power amps. I am not inclined to be an "early adopter" so I'll probably wait about a year and see how this amp fairs with the bass community before I buy one. However, Genz-Benz makes very good stuff and I'm sure this amp will become popular.

Pilgrim · February 02, 2011, 03:42:28 PM

There's a mega-thread on the new streamliners in the TB Amp forum. Plenty of interest and G-B fans there.

I'm good with my Shuttle 6.0.

Aussie Mark · February 02, 2011, 06:08:22 PM

I've just ordered a Streamliner 900.

Pilgrim · February 03, 2011, 12:26:30 PM

Quote from: Aussie Mark on February 02, 2011, 06:08:22 PM
I've just ordered a Streamliner 900.

I betcha gonna love it! I've become a big G-B fan.

Thornton Davis · February 05, 2011, 07:43:34 AM

I'd buy on in a heartbeat if it supported a 2 ohm load, unfortunately it doesn't.

TD

Denis · February 06, 2011, 05:40:24 PM

Quote from: thornton davis on February 05, 2011, 07:43:34 AM
I'd buy on in a heartbeat if it supported a 2 ohm load, unfortunately it doesn't.

TD

That raises a question I've been meaning to ask. Is it uncommon these days to find amps which can handle a 2ohm load? My Sunn Coliseum can but it seems unusual these days and most people are surprised that it does.
Are modern amps simply used for "smaller venues not requiring that or does modern equipment; amps, cabs, etc, do more without having to drop to 2ohms?

Psycho Bass Guy · February 06, 2011, 10:47:59 PM

Very low impedance loads place a current demand on power supplies that modern switching designs simply cannot provide without compromising their size/weight. That's why the new "megawatt" ultralight power amps don't sound so "mega" when pushing subwoofers.

Aussie Mark · February 16, 2011, 08:57:27 PM

Nocturnal · February 16, 2011, 09:33:54 PM

OOOOOOOOOOOOHHH.

That looks nice. Can't wait for a report!

Aussie Mark · February 17, 2011, 03:21:51 PM

Ok, here's my short review after 2 hours with headphones last night (the missus was having a catch up marathon on the Tivo, and the kids were in bed). Actually, headphones were probably the ideal introduction to this head - the Streamliner sounds lovely and tubey warm like a top quality studio preamp, such as an Avalon, but with the added ability to dial in as much grit as you like with the gain and preamp controls. And the EQ is dead easy to tinker with, since it's just bass/mid/treble - no bright or presence switches, no parametric bullsh!t, no low boost buttons etc. No bells and whistles, as they are simply not needed to get a good tone out of this baby!

I can make this sound like a B-15 or an overdriven SVT by merely adjusting two or three knobs. I can't wait to open up this 900 watt beast into a big cab at rehearsal or a gig soon.

It has a 1/4" headphone out, a tuner out, and an aux in, so you can practice with decent headphones and your mp3 player, and be able to control the volume independently - use the preamp volume to control the overall bass volume level, and the master volume to set the mp3 player at a suitable volume.

And, the front panel looks very cool when the tubes are warmed up - the three tubes sit right behind the see through part of the panel.

Highlander · February 17, 2011, 03:38:16 PM

Mine does that (but you have to take the front off and remove the covers and... err, shall I get back in the corner now...)