Amp Comparison

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 27 Oct 2014 9:25 am

I love the combo amp. I am amazed at how good it sounds. Havent used my twin since I got it, steel king is sold, as is my NV 112

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 27 Oct 2014 11:01 am

I see that the power head ($999) and combo cab ($899) with speaker are available separately and you only save $50 if you buy the Pro version instead. Also the % discount off MSRP is a bit less for the Pro than the combo. I'm in no hurry but I appreciate all the posts and opinions to keep us informed!

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 27 Oct 2014 11:53 am

Just got my Milkman Half and Half....WOW!

First impressions:
Way more low end than I could possibly need....and with beautiful bell-like highs....with volume on 4-5 it is what I'm used to, I cranked it to 8 for one chord and WHOOPS! My ears are still ringing....this thing is a Monster for volume.

The tube preamp feels a lot like my Milkman all-tube amp, the power amp is WAY louder and more pure....but not sterile at all. I think he got the formula right with the Milkman preamp & reverb tube circuit in front and the Bang & Olufsen ICE-Power Class-D back end....I have the mids up very high, just like with the Milkman tube amps, because they sound great and make the tone come alive....

I like the simple controls - easy to find the perfect tone...coming from a long history of tube amps, I just never liked amps with all those tone knobs, IMHO 3 should be enough if the basic tone is right....I know some do prefer the "lots of knobs" approach.

And I can lift it with one finger...end of story, for me at least...this is it.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 28 Oct 2014 7:12 am

Lots of choices in amps now and no way to compare them! In the over $1200 category the Walker Stereo Steel is starting to look like a bargain, 2 amps, effects rack, two speakers to spread the sound out and awesome tone. It'd be great to set up some of these amps in private rooms and sample them. A pair of used Nash 400's, used Webb 6-14-E (even a pair), used twins, bargain priced Steel Kings, class D amps up the ying yang with separate 15" JBL like speakers in enclosures. It's bewildering. I am very happy with my Steel King or even my silver face Princeton Reverb for recording.

I guess the next best testimony would be of those who have "upgraded" from one of the older amps (e.g. Steel King) to one of the newer ones. Doug's testimony is something I can relate to since I am potentially going from the Steel King to the Quilter Pro.

Gary Holt · Post by **Gary Holt** » 29 Oct 2014 2:36 pm

Anymore comments or opinions on the comparisons?

Dave Bertoncini · Post by **Dave Bertoncini** » 29 Oct 2014 2:51 pm

I had a Steel King, Webb and Nashville 112's and the Steelaire Combo tops them all. It is a bit difficult to quantify,but I would call the sound more smooth and transparent. Also there is something quite different in the feel of it, kind of touch sensitive. I also like the prescience of the low strings without the harshness of the high strings. Hope this makes a little sense.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 29 Oct 2014 3:53 pm

Any comments on the Steelaire reverb? I understand it's electronic and not a spring unit. So can I assume it sounds more like a hall reverb than a spring reverb. For reference possibly you can compare it to a Holy Grail, Boss RV-5, TC Hall Of Fame, Lexus etc.

Dave Bertoncini · Post by **Dave Bertoncini** » 29 Oct 2014 4:15 pm

I can't compare to any of the ones you mention, but I like it especially the three knobs. To me it sounds alot like spring reverb

Tim Marcus · Post by **Tim Marcus** » 29 Oct 2014 8:26 pm

Gary Holt wrote:Anymore comments or opinions on the comparisons?

No one is comparing anything here they're just talking about the amps they have.

It's not a fair fight - who has all 3 amps?

Luckily they are all very different - so not much comparison