vintage ampeg svt classics-the blue line or black?

[maytoxrok]

i've had a reissue ampeg svt classic and i love the sound but now that that amp is gone im looking for something different but the same...? i like the reissue vintage classic, the svt-vr, but i've never heard anything about them quality and sound wise. i really like the original svt's but i dont know much about them. from what i can tell the blue line classics are the best but does anybody know why? and what is the difference between them and the black line besides age? any suggestions?
thanks,
-Mike

[walterw]

the new svt reissue sounds like a real 70's svt, while the svt classics just don't. ampeg finally got it totally right, just in time to fold as a company and get moved to china, courtesy of Loud Technologies. if you can get one that's still made in the usa, hurry up and buy it before it's too late.

[Hansomatic]

the new svt reissue sounds like a real 70's svt, while the svt classics just don't. ampeg finally got it totally right, just in time to fold as a company and get moved to china, courtesy of Loud Technologies. if you can get one that's still made in the usa, hurry up and buy it before it's too late.Holy cow, really? I just ordered one.. I BETTER not be from china!

[6AM]

I've owned a black line SVT for years, which I just sold because I found a blue line SVT. I compared both side by side and the blue line won out.

The main technical difference is their power section/tubes. In fact, it may be the only technical difference. The blue lines (unless they were modded) use 6146 power tubes, where as the black lines use 6550s. The blue line stays cleaner sounding louder and has much punch and better articulation.

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but there's no way that the new "blue line reissue" sounds ANYTHING like the original. They don't have the same preamp or the same power section. The originals (including the black lines) used all kinds of wacky tubes that aren't used in the reissues. I doubt they sound the same.

[brichards]

I was wondering you seem like you have experience with these types of amps. i have a black line SVT head it is a 1973 and i was wondering I see alot of the later seventies model that have a logal on them and white rockers compared to my black ones. They seem to be a little more puncher than mine. Do you know which ones are more sought after or are they basically the same inside the only difference being the pilot on switch.

On the back they both say they are a division of Magnovox and look alot the same inside.

Also maybe something needs to be changed inside to give me more power?

Thanks for your help

[6AM]

When was the last time you had the power tubes replaced?

[brichards]

The tubes have been replaced recently. When i use the rocker switches especially the ultra low it seems a little bit muddy although there is great bottom end.

[walterw]

i think that any magnavox svt will be a winner. the one i sold (for little money and to my eternal regret, it was the 80's) had 6550's, and just ruled. the new one sounds just like it, at least far more so than the svt classics.

[FFTT]

The bottom line for me is to either find an original Blue Line and have it restored or to have Doug Stalters @ Vintone Circuits build me a 2 piece, all hand wired modular system improving the SVT design.

I want to split the power and pre-amp sections to make the system more portable, rather than trying to hump 85 lbs ever again.

I can also have the cabinet custom made to work in this configuration.

The original circuit being Magnavox does have room for improvement
and it can't hurt to add in some roadworthiness like shock mount tube
sockets, stainless sealed mil spec pots and switches etc.

I'm figuring about $3,000.00 for the head+/- on options.