Author Topic: Egnater Rebel vs. Blackheart Killer Ant! (Read 17645 times)

opprobrium_9 · « **on:** February 09, 2008, 05:57:21 PM »

Ok fellas, so i am determined, with the little amount of money that i make this summer, to finally purchase myself a valve amp. I don't want to break the bank on this one and these two, seemingly great, new additions to the valve amp world are like a dream come true: compact, portable, low-wattage, etc. etc.

So EGNATER'S REBEL:

- As far as i can discern it will be 500 USD
- Switchable wattage from 1W to 20W
- Select between 6v6 and el84’s
- Effects loop
- Weighs 5 pounds

There is limited info about this amp online, and the egnater site doesn't even say anything about it :rock:

Next contender:

BLACKHEART'S Killer Ant:

- <1 Watt RMS, Single-Ended, Class A, 1W resistors in the signal path
- Outputs: 1 x 16 ohm jack, 1 x 8 ohm jack, 1 x 4 ohm jack
- Solid State Rectifier :?
- DC Power to filaments for super quiet operation
- 139.99 USD estimated street price

(Designed to mate with the Killer Ant (it’s not really as disgusting as that sounds), Blackheart’s new slightly-larger-than-palm-sized BH110 “Killer Cab” $139.99 USD street price)

THE BATTLE (COMMENCE DESTRUCTION :twisted:):

Which one do you think would be better suited for a pedal arsenal (something that i intend on building over time). The Egnater has a dedicated effects loop, but effects loops tend to suck out the tiniest bit of tone (so i'm told). The killer ant on the other hand has no such thing, but it is solid-state rectified. Would the Egnater also be solid state rectified you think? The killer ant is incredibly cheaper but the Egnater might be more versitile, i'm not quite sure... There is something to be said of the simplicity of just a volume control like on the Killer Ant, which means that it actually might be just as good, if not better, with pedals as the Rebel. So these are some of the questions that are sifting around in my head right now. I want something compact, one of these two is the answer. I am leaning towards the Killer Ant, but i really don't know anything about rectifiers so someone may have to clarify that for me. Feel free to add in any extra arguments!

If you don't really care to answer, at least you can thank me for dumping some amp porn on ya :P

AdamB · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2008, 06:45:50 PM »

Egnater all the way!!!

My mod 50 should be here on Wednesday :)

Anyway.....

The Egnater Rebel also has a full EQ and seems like more of a proper amp if you know what i mean

Will · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2008, 06:52:50 PM »

I'm no expert, but valve rectification isn't too common. Marshall made the switchover when they went from JTM's to Plexi's I think.
so... Don't let the words solid state put you off in that aspect :P

Adam.M · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2008, 03:16:47 AM »

The blackhearts are made by Crate, and are designed by the same dude who designed the Epi VJ's.

They're designed from the ground up to be modded and tinkered with, so unless your up to doing some tinkering... egnater all the way.

viking · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2008, 05:04:07 AM »

No comparaison possible.The Egnater is much better.

opprobrium_9 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2008, 07:27:18 AM »

Well, i am glad i posted this. I would still like to get more opinions, but it is looking like the Egnater!

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2008, 10:17:33 AM »

Deffo the Eggy.

dave_mc · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2008, 04:36:19 PM »

holy cr@p that egnater looks badass. $500?!?!

EDIT: i just realised i should have read your post first about "no info on their website" rather than search their website... :lol:

PhilKing · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2008, 08:23:55 PM »

Even if the Egnater isn't solid state rectifier, you can get one that plugs into the valve socket from a few places. The best are these:

http://www.radiodaze.com/tube-solidstate.htm

opprobrium_9 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2008, 02:18:03 AM »

Quote from: PhilKing

Even if the Egnater isn't solid state rectifier, you can get one that plugs into the valve socket from a few places. The best are these:

http://www.radiodaze.com/tube-solidstate.htm

why would i want to make a tube rectifier solid state? This is exactly what i was complaining about.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2008, 07:32:24 AM »

Quote from: opprobrium_9

Quote from: PhilKing
Even if the Egnater isn't solid state rectifier, you can get one that plugs into the valve socket from a few places. The best are these:

http://www.radiodaze.com/tube-solidstate.htm

why would i want to make a tube rectifier solid state? This is exactly what i was complaining about.

Because they're better.

Will · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2008, 11:22:44 AM »

I think Hunter's opinion would be good here, doesn't his Budda thingy have tube thingy? Oh, and TF's JTM

opprobrium_9 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2008, 06:46:28 PM »

Quote from: noodleplugerine

Quote from: opprobrium_9
Quote from: PhilKing
Even if the Egnater isn't solid state rectifier, you can get one that plugs into the valve socket from a few places. The best are these:

http://www.radiodaze.com/tube-solidstate.htm

why would i want to make a tube rectifier solid state? This is exactly what i was complaining about.

Because they're better.

And this is because...

Quote from: Will

I think Hunter's opinion would be good here, doesn't his Budda thingy have tube thingy? Oh, and TF's JTM

Hunter's oppinion, which is what?

Will · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2008, 06:55:35 PM »

Quote from: opprobrium_9

Quote from: noodleplugerine
Quote from: opprobrium_9
Quote from: PhilKing
Even if the Egnater isn't solid state rectifier, you can get one that plugs into the valve socket from a few places. The best are these:

http://www.radiodaze.com/tube-solidstate.htm

why would i want to make a tube rectifier solid state? This is exactly what i was complaining about.

Because they're better.

And this is because...

Quote from: Will
I think Hunter's opinion would be good here, doesn't his Budda thingy have tube thingy? Oh, and TF's JTM

Hunter's oppinion, which is what?

Don't know yet, PM him if you can't wait, or Twinfan.

I have heard that the JTM45 gets muddy in the bass area, maybe that is because of the tube rectifier

maverickf1jockey · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2008, 09:59:48 PM »

Generally valve rectifiers are described as 'spongy'.

They are only really of use for replicating a '60s clean sound or AC/DC style crunch.

A solid state would have a better response; think EVH and not Angus Young in distortion. These aren't known for great cleans but have a much better distortion quality (in terms of clarity and harmonic complexity).

Ideally the best way to do things would be to have multiple channels; a clean with a valve and a distortion with a trannie (I am loathe to recommend multi-channel bells and whistles style amps though seeing as my current set up is as spartan as I dare get it).