The Ultimate Loadbox Comparison - Part 1

In this video series I'll compare all relevant reactive load boxes on the market. The OX Box from Universal Audio, the Powerstation 2 from Fryette, the Tube Amp Expander from BOSS, the Reactive Load IR from Suhr, the Captor X and Torpedo Live from TwoNotes, the Ironman II from Tone King and the AmpCentral from RedSeven.
In Part 1 I explain my test scenarios and check the tonal neutrality of each single load box. Finally I'll do a rating.
#loadbox #guitar #amp
All episodes of 'The Ultimate Loadbox Comparison'
Part 1 - see • The Ultimate Loadbox C...
Part 2 - see • The Ultimate Loadbox C...
Part 3 - see • The Ultimate Loadbox C...
Part 4 - see • The Ultimate Loadbox C...
Part 5 - see • The Ultimate Loadbox C...
Part 6 - see • The Ultimate Loadbox C...
Part 7 - see • The Ultimate Loadbox C...
Part 8 - see • The Ultimate Loadbox C...
Part 9 - see • The Ultimate Loadbox C...
Part 10 - see • The Ultimate Loadbox C...
Part 11 - see • The Ultimate Loadbox C...
Part 12 - see • Final Ultimate Loadbox...
0:00 Intro
1:18 Signalchain and Test Scenarios
5:36 The Comparison
10:36 The Rating

[@leszek678]

Look like the epic comparison is in the pipeline. Can't wait for more, cheers.

[@RockGuitarVibes]

Stsy tuned, I'll reveal things no one told you before - thanks for your comment 🙏

[@Peck_Bull]

I always love your stuff and style, Wolfgang, don't give up, my friend. 🍻🫂🎸♥️

[@RockGuitarVibes]

Love to read your comments 🙏😎🎸

[@musterionsurly]

Thanks, great approach and interesting data.

[@RockGuitarVibes]

Thanks for your comment 🙏 glad if I could help...

[@Pitti444]

Very informative! Thank you!

[@stephenchow5161]

subbed. very informative

[@tonecaster8102]

thank you for this comparison! looking forward to Part 2 will you add some sound samples for comparison?

[@RockGuitarVibes]

Sure, I'll also do a separate video for each load box with sound samples - I think in episode 3 - 10, so there is a lot of work ahead 🤯

[@TheDwarfInvasion]

How do you explain the difference in the frequency response of the white noise at the output of the amp before you do the subtractive difference operation? Some of these have a curve with a scoop at 500hz where others do not. Can this contribute to the tone of the loadbox?

[@RockGuitarVibes]

Well, that's caused by the impedance curve of the load box - yes, you can hear a difference, as I'll demonstrate in the last video of the series.

[@johnlandhimself5602]

Hi. Line out, I own a Soldano SLO 30 with a Line out, sound is good into the daw with an IR inside, but i want to know if there is a difference with a load Box, since Load Box receives amplifier signal from speaker outlet. Any Information about it? thanks in advance.

[@RockGuitarVibes]

The line level is taken from the power amp output which is a good thing - means with your preferred cabinet connected and an IR you'll get the best result at a certain volume level. With a loadbox, the amp can be used in silent mode at any amp volume, but the result will not be necessarily better.

[@kschimmer]

Klasse Test! Ich bin gespannt auf das letzte Video. Im Moment suche ich einen Attenuator für meinen 1968 Marshall superbass. Am besten möchte ich damit dich aufnehmen können. Was würdest du da empfehlen? Danke und Grüße

[@RockGuitarVibes]

Vielen Dank für das positive Feedback 😎🙏 Leider kann ich im Moment noch keine Empfehlung aussprechen - die Tests sind schließlich noch nicht zu Ende und ich bin selbst gespannt wer das Rennen macht. Dann lkann ich endlich ein paar Geräte verkaufen und vielleicht was neues anschaffen 😀

[@marekgitarzysta5193]

I guess Koch Loadbox has a reactive element in it and has a pretty sophisticated DI section - I would be interested to see how it compares....

[@leandregomes]

hey Dude, incredible video, I have a suhr reactive loud iR, do you think the Ox could be a good jump? I read something about the impendance curve of the suhr being closer to a real speaker, John suhr mentions that some out there have a U-shaped curve that can be dangerous for tubes and transformers, did you do this impendance curve test on the Ox ? Do you know if it is close to Suhr? thanks : )

[@RockGuitarVibes]

Thanks a lot, AFAIK the Suhr response curve emulates a Greenback speaker. By comparing the Suhr curve with all others there is indeed a characteristic nose at 120Hz of around +3db. If it sounds worse or better we'll find out in the final comparison video of this series - I suppose it's more a question of personal taste.

[@leandregomes]

@@RockGuitarVibes thank you very much for your answer, did you test the Ox impendance curve? Could a U-curve really harm the amplifier? Thanks, I'll wait for the next chapter, cheers

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

Thanks for saving me a lot disappointment. I was going to buy a captor x for bass use, but that low cut is a no go. Think I’ll get the suhr.

[@RockGuitarVibes]

Glad I could help... 😎🎸

[@void_snw]

I think the overall impedance curve of these units needs to be taken into account together with input vs output, as you wouldn't see them on a test like this. I wonder if some of them tuned that together with their impedance response to make it hit a certain target together.

[@void_snw]

I'm excited to look at part 2!

[@hootowl6354]

I'd buy an Ironman if it had a loop. I have a Fryette, which does have one, but now I have more tubes to worry about; and I don't need to boost my volumes, so all I need is attenuation, a loop, and ohm matching. The Red Seven has a loop, but it doesn't have ohm matching. Is nothing perfect? I could use a Red Seven along with a Weber Z-Matcher, however.

[@RockGuitarVibes]

Well, each device has it's pros and cons - everyone has to decide for themselves which one best suits their needs.

[@soundsokok]

frequency response is one thing but dynamic response is more important imo especially when it comes to amp reactive load . measuring machine or plugin can only tell you very small % of the sound as a whole , only your ears can tell you if it sounds better or not .

[@RockGuitarVibes]

Well, that's why I've tested with real guitar tracks as well in the follow up videos. Of course you are right, measuring could be improved with a Z-axis for dynamics - unfortunately that's currently not possible.

[@soundsokok]

@@RockGuitarVibesi didn't know you had a follow up videos with real situation testing . Will check thks

[@SouthShine01]

heavy nerdy stuff

[@thestrummingcorner3322]

This is an interesting comparison. The issue is you don't know if the Line out is accurate. There is an analog process on your Line out that you don't know. You don't have the Real original signal getting out of the power amp so it is impossible to make a good comparison.

[@RockGuitarVibes]

Hm, not quite sure if I understand your concerns correctly - in this test I compare the line out of the power amp (yes, that König amp provides such a line out) with the line out of the load boxes to check the tonal neutrality. So I think the test is pretty accurate, in part 2 the Freyette Powerstation in bypass mode is the perfect proof of concept...

[@thestrummingcorner3322]

You have well understood. The Line out of your amp is probably not accurate. Perhaps the Line out is less accurate than the load box you have tested. The signal of your line out signal pass through an internal loadbox which transform the signal.

[@gffg387]

​@@thestrummingcorner3322exactly. This test is not right at all.

[@aleksandarbrankovic]

In ideal world Germans are doing quality analysis. Great job!

[@jsullivan2112]

Wouldn't pink noise have been better?

[@RockGuitarVibes]

I think it does not matter that much - it's all about the frequency changes/differences.

[@jsullivan2112]

@@RockGuitarVibes Pink noise more closely resembles music though. Sure white noise may reflect more frequency changes, but it could be stuff that we don't care about because it's noise, not music, and may never actually be present in a practical application.

[@EJH-jn6mo]

There is no comparison- Powerstation is the goat

[@RockGuitarVibes]

The Fryette PS is a great device - whether it's the best for recordings is what we want to find out... more videos are in the works...

[@EJH-jn6mo]

@@RockGuitarVibesyes, if line out recording is your primary factor I understand. For pure attenuation the Powerstation is unmatched. I use an OX as well but bypass fhe attenuator since my ps100 does that. One thing to keep in mind is that Fryette has new functionality for the PS coming out within next month or 2 and that may change the outcome of your testing. Cheers

[@RockGuitarVibes]

@@EJH-jn6mo A new or modified device - pretty interesting, thanks for that info!

[@karabinerstudios]

@RockGuitarVibes Is there any chance you have a link to the upcoming updated Power Station? I was unaware that something new was coming out. Might have to replace my current PS-100 😀

[@RockGuitarVibes]

@@karabinerstudios Sorry, I don't have any information on this at the moment!

[@kimseniorb]

there's only a couple in the list that provide a proper IC curve. the rest is just trash

[@jamesfindice2871]

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