Micro SVT VS Portaflex 350 | Same Ampeg?

[@Troblman814]

I absolutely love how you made the compassions. I have my own opinions, but you showed me a true FAIR expression! Much appreciated! Very informative,!

[@PageandPlant4Life]

Everything about your video is awesome. Great tones, informative, demo'd using good riffs

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

Appreciate the support!

[@leegallatin480]

Fugazi's waiting room bass riff is a classic go to !

[@Troblman814]

I almost gave up on Ampeg... Very informative!

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

Glad it helped!

[@keaganvanrooyen1547]

Longview riff is class.

[@Troblman814]

Glad I found this video!

[@PeterDad60]

I purchased a new Ampeg PF-500 last week. The Sweetwater comment section has several comments about these amps cutting out and even dying. Just remember the limiter LES are there for a good reason -to help you avoid burning out your gear. However one commenter went into it a lot deeper and stated that it's the preamp section causing this to occur. So what I do is to use the volume knob as much as I need and limit the amount of gain using the gain knob less than halfway. I have run at 8 ohms and 4 ohms and so far I have had no cut outs at all. I have also used the gain knob more aggressively and even dialed the gain up to the max and while the red limiter light came on when I did this the amp did not cut out. Using the compression knob aggressively will light up the yellow LED. But it was clear that when using the gain knob you should be careful and not use too much gain, same thing with the compression knob. I also tried plugging my bass into the "send and return" well actually only into the return, or maybe it was the "preamp in" (I wish I could remember for sure but right now I can't). I did this to bypass the preamp section and it worked I could go as loud as I wanted using the volume knob without the red limiter light turning on or the amp cutting out. Since I only play at home I don't need a lot of volume. In fact if I play too loud through my 8 ohm Ampeg 15E and any other 8 ohm speaker for a total load of 4 ohms it really hurts my ears and I have to lower the volume very soon.In fact even using only the 8 ohm Ampeg 15E speaker loudly my ears hurt. So I do not enjoy loud volumes. This works out well for me with these problematic Ampeg PF amps because if I don't push them I shall hopefully never have any issues with my new amp.Time will tell. I'm even thinking of getting a second Ampeg PF-500 because they are on a $180sale and the price is only $299 while supplies last at Sweetwater. BTW the Ampeg Micro SVT head for $379.99 is also on my list of good affordable amps to look into purchasing.- Peter age 73

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

Super helpful, thank you for sharing!

[@6FeetFromBeerStudio]

The comments I read on the Micro SVT DI are what had kept me on the fence about getting one. These audio samples kinda put that to rest and I think I'm gonna pick one up

[@MrAusmo]

After comparing a number of other combo's and stacks, I bought the SVT. Initially it was not that appealing in isolation, After getting it home I really started to understand what a beast the VR is.

[@jayhiggins38]

Hey great video man, I appreciate you comparing the DI on the VR and Portaflex...I've heard horror stories of the DI on the VR but it sounded great to me! Good luck and thanks for the great content!

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

I have heard those stories too, I was pleasantly surprised! Thanks for watching!

[@rickygn]

Thanks for tthis video, I got the Micro Cl and Micro VR, a friend has a PF-300 and I agree with you.

[@ljvlog2732]

Which one do you prefer overall between the CL or the VR ? I'm looking at and comparing both of these two little amps, mainly just for home practise . Thanks in advance .....

[@rickygn]

I really like the VR because the cabinet has better quality speakers over the CL@@ljvlog2732, The CL is loud enough even for bars and small gigs though

[@kalaalefaio5108]

great review! thank you!

[@evilfpv]

I would love to see a comparison between the SVT Micro VR and the RB210.

[@rowanmartin4397]

Thank you so much, this is awesome.

[@mdorman3188]

great comparison, and def try other cabs,. my Micro SVT sounds 10x better when paired with stock cab and my 1X12 Genzler. that it does with just the stock cabs. ( i do have 2)

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

I have thought about that setup too! I love the Micro SVT cab but adding a 1x12 could fill out some low end that the 2x10 lacks, thanks for sharing!

[@Cloud_Brn]

This was the best comparison I have seen on youtube so far! Both amps seem super capable, and while I love the classy styling of the Micro VR, I really like the idea of slightly more clean headroom that the PF-350 has built in, and I am a bit worried about the fan noise in the VR for recording. Hmm, very tough choice... Have you decided on keeping one over the other?

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

After using both in a full band rehearsal setting, I seemed to like the Micro VR better. Even with the lower wattage, it seemed to fill out better. I believe this is due to the 210AV cab not benefiting from the extra wattages. With a bigger cab, I think the Portaflex will be able to take advantage of the extra wattage. Because I want to keep using the 210AV, I plan to sell the PF350, but if I was in the market I will buy which ever I could find a better deal on because they are so similar. If I can't sell the Portaflex for some reason, I will sell the Micro VR because they are that close. Thanks for watching!

[@Cloud_Brn]

@@DisorderlySoundStudios great to know, hah! Would the same mentality stand true if you stacked 2 of the 210av cabs on top of each other? Or would you be able to tell the difference in wattage at that point? Cause 2 cabs would be able to handle 400w correct? The pf-350 leans closer to that, while the Micro VR is limited to 200. Let me know if you've been able to try both heads with double cabs!

[@Cloud_Brn]

Facepalm... Just remembered your whole video was recorded using the double stack of 210s. So was your comment still in reference to using both cabs? Seems like on paper the VR is only able to access about half of the stacks wattage, while the PF350 gets closer to 7/8. Am I thinking that through correctly?

[@compucorder64]

For quiet practice or recording, the fan is definitely on the loud side. That's the only thing I don't like about this amp. But, there's two ways of addressing this. You can run a longer speaker cable, and move the amp far away from the cab you are recording, or into a cupboard. But, a more permanent fix is to replace the noisy fan with a nice quiet one. Noctua do a nice 60x60x25mm similar ampage one that moves as much air but runs at 18dBA rather than the crappy noisy 40dbA it comes with. Just need to add a 12v/24v conversion. And with the rubber mounts makes this nice and quiet. Then it's a really nice small, compact, light clean sounding amp. Especially with two 210av cabs, where you can get a lot more power. It's a very musical sounding setup. I think running two, it is a bit more than 200w, think 260w or something. I think if you need something more, I'd probably save more, and go way up to the Ampeg Venture V3, or even V7 or Aguilar Tonehammer 500. Skip the Portaflex I think. Really not sure the Portaflex is worth it for maybe a subjective 10-15% in perceived volume, but I think the Micro VR is the better amp. You could also get a second Micro VR and run it off the effects send of the first, run with second 210av, then it will outpower a Portflex and be comparable to say an Aguilar Tonehammer 350, or Ampeg Venture V3. And you have some resilience if one amp fails, can just mic it up to the PA.

[@mark-stefaniw]

The PF350 is class D. The micro VR is class AB. I'm pretty sure that's right. That's why the micro VR sounds "better".

[@1thess523]

Waiting Room 👌

[@dynodanbassman]

Nice Dano! I have the same one.

[@Farewelltokingz]

I use the Micro VR with a 15. I’m considering getting an overdrive pedal used primarily as a boost to distort this amp but the sound I get already is amazing. It’s not the loudest thing in the world but it seems to be able to work in a band since it pushes air from a wider surface area with the 15.

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

Thanks for sharing! I use an overdrive somethings for heavier stuff but it definitely sounds great on its own! It would be nice to have a little extra headroom but I have never had a problem keep up with my 3 piece.

[@rydawgi]

These A/B tests are great but there’s no A/B test in a live music setting. Pick one and go 💯

[@DPHC13]

one thing I can add is the SVT has a really loud fan. I use it with a 4x12 Ashdown cab and it can get very loud.

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Thanks for sharing 🎵🎶🎸

[@rc6147]

Good video 👍🏼

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

Thanks 👍

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Svt 👍

[@embreesmith7613]

SVT all the way !!!

[@zengroove16]

I use the PF-800. It does make a difference Live. Especially if u play Death Metal. Louder is better in certain types of Music. 🥷 200 doesn't hit the same as 350 no matter what ya mouth says and 350 doesn't hit like a 500 and a 500 doesn't hit live like a 800 on Bass. I know cause I've used all 3 many Times. The 800 gets much louder. 🤟

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

Makes sense! For my 3 piece band it definitely cuts through, but I can see it not being enough in a band with two half stacks, especially for metal. 800 watts will definitely let you feel the bass!

[@zengroove16]

@DisorderlySoundStudios Indeed. I mean... each Artist has a way they prefer so to each his own but for me, as a Bassist in Metal over the years, I been drowned out by double, powerful, half staccs many Times to where nobody could hear me. I eventually came to the conclusion in a Band setting, I'd rather have too much Power and dial it down as needed than not have enough. One of many things I Love 💙 about #Ampeg is they offer many different versions to us Artists so we can find what's right for our current Gig or session. If I wanna go ultra light, like for a plane, I can just take Brooklyn and me Ampeg SGT-DI. If I got a Metal Gig or a incredibly loud Band practice, I got me PF-800 which I call SoFi. She's the best Amp I've ever owned. She's expensive tho'. If I was in a situation in which I couldn't afford her, I'd use gear like the SGT-DI until I could. Ampeg does make some terrific smaller practice Amps as well and I'd have no problem using those. Ampeg has awesome Tones no matter the size of the Amp imo. Thanks for the response 🤟

[@bassmode721]

How does the new venture rate against these two ?

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

Definitely wanna try out the Venture! I have a feeling it will sound similar to the PF350 but with some nice extra features.

[@rowanmartin4397]

Sound samples at 6:51

[@fettjonjr]

i have one of the porta flex 800 amps and it is amazing. from this video, I think you should go with the porta flax, the break up at higher volumes is great

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

Thanks for sharing! I appreciate the recommendation!

[@kallehurme982]

PF

[@timedwards5600]

The cabinet sucks