Reviewer Tom Loizeaux
Manufacturer Ampeg
Model SVT IV Pro
Price $1400. list

Dimensions 19 x 5.6 x 15.5"
Wattage 2 X 625 watts @ 4 ohms
Speaker(s) n/a
EQ Bass, selectable Mid, Treble, Ultra Hi & Ultra Lo boost, graphic
EQ
Effects stereo effects loop
Controls fully adj. compressor in pre amp, defeatable limiter in output st
age
Other dual, mono bridged, or bi-amp modes
This SVT IV Pro offers the classic SVT pre amp (w/ 3 12AX7s) in a full-sized rack mount chassis. Compared to the SVT III Pro, this unit has full-sized knobs and front panel and dual output stages for more than twice the power. I found the SVT III Pro to be underpowered. The IV Pro overcomes this limitation. It provides enough power to push several speaker cabinets with plenty of headroom for aggressive transients.

My only critisms are that the EQ is a little redundant and it takes some time to figure out how to get "your tone". The Bass control, Ultra Lo and graphic EQ, for example, all work over the same frequencies. The Graphic EQ does activate a sub sonic filter, but requires that the Graphic EQ be ON.

This is the first hybred tube/soild state bass amp that I would actually play out with. The tube pre amp provides the "tone", the FETs provide the power, and the EQ, compressor & line outs provide the controlability to make this a very useful amp for the real world.

Construction 85%
Loudness 90%
Clarity 95%
Tone 90%
Size/Bulkiness 90%
Value 90%
Overall 90%
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