Suhr Reactive Load
- lll
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Suhr Reactive Load
Coming my way soon...
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- harddriver
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- lll
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Re: Suhr Reactive Load
Short review - Ive had a THD Hotplate for almost 2 decades now. It was my go-to for load box... it is a resistive type, using resistors only (and a fan).
The reactive style uses an air coil plus resistors etc... plus the Suhr has a tuned network. All of this allows for a "reactive impedance" just like a real speaker. The Suhr also has a fan.
The resistive load type does not have that "reactive impedance" feel; it is mostly flat, dull and lifeless (basically overly-compressed) since the impedance never changes.
That's not to say that the Hotplate or similar resistive load doesn't have its uses - it's great if you just want to knock off a handful of dBs from your amp playing live.
Anyhoo, this Suhr RL is built like a brick shithouse, and is actually bigger than my THD Hotplate. Sounds and feels great... has that "speaker squish/bounce" that you get when the impedance is constantly changing (a la a real speaker).
Quick tone test with a mutt strat w SH-5, into Friedman BE-OD Deluxe, into '66 Deluxe, into Suhr RL, into DAW with speaker iRs etc:
[soundcloud][/soundcloud]
The reactive style uses an air coil plus resistors etc... plus the Suhr has a tuned network. All of this allows for a "reactive impedance" just like a real speaker. The Suhr also has a fan.
The resistive load type does not have that "reactive impedance" feel; it is mostly flat, dull and lifeless (basically overly-compressed) since the impedance never changes.
That's not to say that the Hotplate or similar resistive load doesn't have its uses - it's great if you just want to knock off a handful of dBs from your amp playing live.
Anyhoo, this Suhr RL is built like a brick shithouse, and is actually bigger than my THD Hotplate. Sounds and feels great... has that "speaker squish/bounce" that you get when the impedance is constantly changing (a la a real speaker).
Quick tone test with a mutt strat w SH-5, into Friedman BE-OD Deluxe, into '66 Deluxe, into Suhr RL, into DAW with speaker iRs etc:
[soundcloud][/soundcloud]
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- harddriver
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Re: Suhr Reactive Load
Thanks for the detailed in depth review it is appreciated! I have a Rivera Rockcrusher and an old THD for bench work that I still use only down to -8 DB but at those levels it's pretty transparent.
With current prices of used hotplates north of $200 bucks the Suhr Reactive load is a bargain and I like how Suhr builds his line outs as well.
With current prices of used hotplates north of $200 bucks the Suhr Reactive load is a bargain and I like how Suhr builds his line outs as well.
- RockyStar
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Re: Suhr Reactive Load
Sounds great! Now you got me gassing for a Suhr Reactive Load and the Universal Audio rack stuff...lol.
Damn you!
Damn you!
- lll
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Re: Suhr Reactive Load
If you're going to do any sort of "tame the cranked tube amp" recording, you must do a reactive load (Suhr in this case).
The HotPlate or other resistive loads just don't cut the mustard; flat, lifeless dead tone.
I'd use a resistive load if I was padding down one amp to go into another, or if I just wanted to knock down a few dBs.
The HotPlate or other resistive loads just don't cut the mustard; flat, lifeless dead tone.
I'd use a resistive load if I was padding down one amp to go into another, or if I just wanted to knock down a few dBs.
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- RockyStar
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Re: Suhr Reactive Load
Agreed! I have the Fryette PS-2 and the Boss TAE but can still see some things I like about the Suhr and its simplicity.lll wrote: ↑Sat Dec 11, 2021 6:57 pm If you're going to do any sort of "tame the cranked tube amp" recording, you must do a reactive load (Suhr in this case).
The HotPlate or other resistive loads just don't cut the mustard; flat, lifeless dead tone.
I'd use a resistive load if I was padding down one amp to go into another, or if I just wanted to knock down a few dBs.
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