Bad Cat Unleash

[blue]

Now this interests me.  i emailed them, and they replied inside about half an hour, asking would there be a European version and a 16 ohm version.  he said the 240v version is available now, and they're working on a 16 ohm version.  i'm definitely keen to try one. 

http://www.badcatamps.com/unleash.html

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Damn you beat me to it! I wanted to be the one to start this thread. I've been following the thread on TGP for months now, and I was so gassed up for it I pulled the trigger. Make any amp a 2 channel, adjustable volume, FX loop, attenuate/reamp fire breathing machine... sign me up! Can't wait to try it with my 100w Marshall and my 1w Marshall! Should be getting mine in any day now, I'll be sure to post a review for y'all.

[blue]

Excellent :)  i look forward to hearing how you get on.  the effects loop is the bit that excited me, specifically for my old Marshalls that don't have one

[Philly Q]

It does sound an interesting idea!

[blue]

it seems to be pretty much exactly the device i've had in my head, that i wished someone would build!  if only it had switchable input impedence, it would be perfect

[TheyCallMeVolume]

it seems to be pretty much exactly the device i've had in my head, that i wished someone would build!  if only it had switchable input impedence, it would be perfect

It does take any impedance you know that right? It just peaks at certain volumes and maybe is technically made for 8 ohms. I believe 140w in 4 ohms, 100w in 8 ohms, and 80w in 16 ohms. The one right now still works for 16.

[blue]

i know that applies to the output, you can plug it into any speaker from 4 to 16 ohms.  but i believe you're supposed to use an 8 ohm output from the amplifier.  of course, i could be wrong.  they did tell me they were working on a 16 ohm version though

[Toe-Knee]

i know that applies to the output, you can plug it into any speaker from 4 to 16 ohms.  but i believe you're supposed to use an 8 ohm output from the amplifier.  of course, i could be wrong.  they did tell me they were working on a 16 ohm version though

This is very logical otherwise the OT would have a mismatch

[Plenum n Heather]

So, essentially, this is an attenuator with 2 different level settings that you can switch between?

[TheyCallMeVolume]

So, essentially, this is an attenuator with 2 different level settings that you can switch between?

It's an attenuator and a re-amping device, meaning you can plug a 100w amp into it and attenuate to 1w, or plug in a 1w amp and re-amp it into 100w. I think they said that it fools the amp into thinking the device is the speaker, meaning alot less squashing of tone when attenuating and giving you the same feel and dynamics your amp would have while at any volume. There's absolutely nothing innovative in this device really, just the first person to take all these components, put them together, and quite possibly perfect them.

[Kiichi]

This does seem like an amazing device. Very possibly a future buy, so I am looking forward to the first hands on comments here.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

This does seem like an amazing device. Very possibly a future buy, so I am looking forward to the first hands on comments here.

Indeed. As Blue said, when I got my 100w I wanted a really transparent attenuator to get those cranked tones, a solo boost, and an FX loop. Now I've got it!

When I got my 1w, I wanted a way to get it louder (I realize I could have bought a bigger amp, but not with that tone!) as a backup. Now I've got it!

[Plenum n Heather]

I am looking forward to first hand impressions, as Bad Cat's clip on Youtube is awful.

I really do not see the point in taking my amazing low wattage amps and converting them to a SS amp.

As for the effects loop ... meh. Anyone buying an amplifier without a loop should know what they are getting into, and this has been attempted before by other companies and not to great success, imo.

I am having a very hard time seeing how this could possible score as a reamp or recording device over an iso cab.

I do like the idea of having two levels of attenuation, but then, I get the same thing using my single channel amps and a Heavy Electronics Descend.

[Dmoney]

I am looking forward to first hand impressions, as Bad Cat's clip on Youtube is awful.

I really do not see the point in taking my amazing low wattage amps and converting them to a SS amp.

As for the effects loop ... meh. Anyone buying an amplifier without a loop should know what they are getting into, and this has been attempted before by other companies and not to great success, imo.

I am having a very hard time seeing how this could possible score as a reamp or recording device over an iso cab.

I do like the idea of having two levels of attenuation, but then, I get the same thing using my single channel amps and a Heavy Electronics Descend.

basically my thoughts also, though I find it interesting. I wish I had a descend.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I am looking forward to first hand impressions, as Bad Cat's clip on Youtube is awful.

I really do not see the point in taking my amazing low wattage amps and converting them to a SS amp.

As for the effects loop ... meh. Anyone buying an amplifier without a loop should know what they are getting into, and this has been attempted before by other companies and not to great success, imo.

I am having a very hard time seeing how this could possible score as a reamp or recording device over an iso cab.

I do like the idea of having two levels of attenuation, but then, I get the same thing using my single channel amps and a Heavy Electronics Descend.

First off, it's very very very very hard to judge the level of volume on these videos. It's virtually impossible to put up a clip of this thing that will make you want to buy it. It's gonna be a word of mouth  type device. It is an SS amp but as I said eariler, it fools the amp into thinking it's the speaker when it's really not. This allows for a very organic tube tone that is supposedly the most transparent attenuating device on the market. Not familiar with Iso cabs so I can't comment on that. Unfortunately, Badcat isn't a major dealer so you won't be able to try one out at your local store, the clips won't do anything for you, and you'll have to buy one to make up your mind. But every single review I've seen so far has touted this thing as the real deal, so I wouldn't be so quick to put it down.