Axe-FX III with Real cab vs. the Real thing

Is there a noticeable difference when your playing Axe-Fx III with power amp and cab vs. Amp + cab?

  • I hear or feel a difference in the room, but I like them both equally

    Votes: 37 28.0%

  • I hear a difference in the room, but I prefer Axe-Fx III with a power amp and cab

    Votes: 17 12.9%

  • I hear a difference in the room, I prefer real amp with cab

    Votes: 25 18.9%

  • I can't hear or feel a difference, and don't think I could tell in a blind test.

    Votes: 53 40.2%
  • Total voters
    132
Orvillain said:
To be clear... it might read 114dB but in reality be 150dB .... FOR ONE AMP....

For the next amp... it may read 110dB but in reality be 90dB........
IE: You'd be relying on inconsistent numbers across the sample-set. It's not just that the baseline would be out. That's the danger with using apps on phones.
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This isn’t a phone app, I bought a meter. The only thing I can imagine accounting for hugely different between-amp readings would be if the db meter has inconsistencies due to varying frequency response i.e. maybe one amp puts out serious lows and the meter doesn't handle those low frequencies as well. This is easily resolved by using the synth block to set levels at a given frequency, which should be done anyway. Again, don’t need this to be accurate, just consistent.
 
lastcaress83 said:
This isn’t a phone app, I bought a meter. The only thing I can imagine accounting for hugely different between-amp readings would be if the db meter has inconsistencies due to on frequency response i.e. maybe one amp puts out serious lows and the meter doesn't handle those low frequencies as well. This is easily resolved by using the synth block to set levels at a given frequency, which should be done anyway. Again, don’t need this to be accurate, just consistent.
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Do what you like.
 
Orvillain said:
Do what you like.
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You seem very convinced of your point. Can you please explain the differences in construction and performance between an SPL meter and a DB meter and why one is better suited to this application over the other? Also, what meter would you recommend?
 
lastcaress83 said:
You seem very convinced of your point. Can you please explain the differences in construction and performance between an SPL meter and a DB meter and why one is better suited to this application over the other? Also, what meter would you recommend?
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I can't, coz I don't really know what I'm talking about. I have zero idea in fact, I'm just copying stuff from ChatGPT in order to troll and cause division and consternation.
 
Orvillain said:
I just want a good poweramp tbh, and then for live I think I'm ready to move over to Axe.
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Power amp is the biggest issue for me too, regarding using amp models live.

I love the sound and response of several of the models, but although I can get my FM9 and ISP Stealth Pro sounding very good with my Recto 2x12, it still pales in comparison with my Electra Dyne, largely because of the power amp differences.

I’d love to try a Matrix, but they are very hard to find here in Canada, and recent info about the company causes concern.

GX5 might be an option, but it’s pretty large and heavy (25 lbs).
 
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I found an inherent treble harshness in the GX5 when pushed.

It was previously reported by others
forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-vs-tube-amps-my-first-experience.27192/post-413039

It could be a consequence of the damping factor, but I'm not a specialist
forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-with-real-cab-vs-the-real-thing.191689/post-2388555

Moreover, the GX5 is very heavy and its fan makes a permanent and noticeable noise which is annoying in a studio environnement.
 
Amsz said:
I bought the NC400 from soundsimport.eu

Very easy to build (no soldering)
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I have been looking at Hypex, also because they are Dutch.
But with zero engineering skills or desire, I don't know if I can build one.
Don't even know what components to select.
 
yek said:
I have been looking at Hypex, also because they are Dutch.
But with zero engineering skills or desire, I don't know if I can build one.
Don't even know what components to select.
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It has more to do with lego than to electronic assembly…
This is the kit I bought, it’s complete: soundimports.eu/en/hypex-nc400-mono-kit.html
Should you need it, I would be happy to help.
 
FractalAudio said:
Yup. People don't realize just how loud tube amps are. Alone in a room we never listen to a modeler at the volume of a tube amp.
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This is exactly what happened to me last week when I was comparing my Fractal to a real amp. I thought my Matrix was somewhat on par on volume with my 2203 JMP. Matrix got to 105.5 dB (LAeq, full volume) which I thought was pretty loud, until I tried the real amp and…

2203 was at 118 dB (LAeq, master volume on 4) with a whopping 135dB LCpeak. Paint was starting to melt off the walls, so I had to turn down the real amp. I’m almost scared to turn it on again.
 
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aens said:
This is exactly what happened to me last week when I was comparing my Fractal to a real amp. I thought my Matrix was somewhat on par on volume with my 2203 JMP. Matrix got to 105.5 dB (LAeq, full volume) which I thought was pretty loud, until I tried the real amp and…

2203 was at 118 dB (LAeq, master volume on 4) with a whopping 135dB LCpeak. Paint was starting to melt off the walls, so I had to turn down the real amp. I’m almost scared to turn it on again.
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Thats when 2203’s sound awesome at least. Sounds like you used to use the JMP without fear prior to knowing the volume?
 
aens said:
This is exactly what happened to me last week when I was comparing my Fractal to a real amp. I thought my Matrix was somewhat on par on volume with my 2203 JMP. Matrix got to 105.5 dB (LAeq, full volume) which I thought was pretty loud, until I tried the real amp and…

2203 was at 118 dB (LAeq, master volume on 4) with a whopping 135dB LCpeak. Paint was starting to melt off the walls, so I had to turn down the real amp. I’m almost scared to turn it on again.
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The Matrix only got to 105dB? That’s loud, but not really. A Mesa Boogie V:25 will easily do more than that at 8 feet, probably more.
 
IAmThePepperoniKing said:
The Matrix only got to 105dB? That’s loud, but not really. A Mesa Boogie V:25 will easily do more than that at 8 feet, probably more.
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Yea, my gt1000fx gets WAY louder than that. I learned this the first time I switched amp models with it and the model I switched to was non-master volume 😳

It gets louder than my 2203x turned up. The volume on the Marshall peaks around 5 but the matrix goes to 11
 
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