class 5 alternatives?

[harkkam]

Guys if I get my class 5 (returned the first one, waiting for the second one) and it still rattles are there any alternative products that cost around 400 that will give me the same sound?

I really love the tone but I don't want to have to return it a second time thats too much for me.

[surfnorthwest]

It is going to be really hard to beat that tone for <$400, I would wait and see what happens with the second amp. If the new one has issues well there are some other intersting alternitives for a little more money. I know Marshall is fully aware of the issue with the Class 5 I just cannot tell you what the status is as far as recalls or fixes. Post this again if amp two still has issues, let's hope not

[Kongels]

I don't think so, I think many of us are holding our breath waiting to hear it's good to go and there is a permanent fix. I have planned on buying one since SteveD announced them but am gunshy right now. The Dr. Z Monza is released this week but costs more than 3x as much. :cuss

[Green Manalishi]

Something kinda similar but not Marshall, Vox AC4TV, class A 4 watt amp, also available with 10" speaker as a combo. And it is less money ($249 new). Also with the Vox you get a built in attenuator taking to 1 watt and to 1/4 watt.

On youtube there is a comparison.



But, it does not look nearly as cool as the Marshall

[Supernaught]

The Blackstar HT-5 combo rocks, and IMO is a lot better option than the Class 5. It has a master volume and is 2 channel so you dont have to kill your neighbours to get it to distort!

[exotl]

The Blackstar HT-5 combo rocks, and IMO is a lot better option than the Class 5. It has a master volume and is 2 channel so you dont have to kill your neighbours to get it to distort!

The HT-5 is a fine amp, but it's a hybrid with lots of op-amps in it - and I definitely wanted a full tube amp.

Something kinda similar but not Marshall, Vox AC4TV, class A 4 watt amp, also available with 10" speaker as a combo. And it is less money ($249 new). Also with the Vox you get a built in attenuator taking to 1 watt and to 1/4 watt.

I also tried this one, but with it's all chipboard cabinet it cannot rival the Class 5 IMO.

Another hard to find feature of the Class 5 is the second tube in the preamp - it gives the EQ more effect without taking away too much gain - for me this is THE AMP !!!

[Spotted Dog]

Probably not price competitive, but it's small, looks killer, and sounded great at the NAMM Show!



http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/ ... TA-15.html

[harkkam]

were can i buy the mesa boogie amp, it looks really cool and sounds good too

[Spotted Dog]

Don't know where you can find'em yet. $899. Bet its killer with a Cele Gold. :dance

[youtube][/youtube]

[MKB]

One thought; it's very possible that the Class 5 rattling issues are due to either microphonic tubes or cabinet issues. That means that if you use the Class 5 with an external cab, all the rattling problems will most likely go away. So, there are two possibilities here:

1) It is very possible that a similarly sized combo by another manufacturer will have the same tube microphonics problems. You should look carefully into that before buying.

2) If you are willing to use a separate head/cab in place of the Class 5, why not just use an extension cab with a Class 5? You are saving a bit of weight in that you won't have a speaker in a head, and a few inches of vertical height, other than that they are about the same. However you will still have the complete Class 5 combo for practicing at lower volumes where the rattle isn't so bad.

Just sayin'.....