Thursday, May 10, 2012

AMT SS-20 Review



Are you too lazy to bring your amp to gigs?
Or are you looking for a guitar preamp in a pedal format?
I introduce you to the AMT SS-20

SS-20 Technical Information:
- Power: External Adaptor AC 120V-240V 12V DC 1.25A
- Tubes: 1 x 12AX7 (6Н2П-ЕВ) - 12.6V (6.3V)
- Anode Voltage: DC 290V
- Jacks:Amplifier Output - for Combo Connection
Mixer Output - for Mixer/Recorder Connection
Effects Loop Send and Return
Input In
- Bypass:Left F Switch - DRIVE effect on/off
Right F Switch - DISTORTION effect on/off


Over the past few months, I had use this baby for a while at my band practice.
Here are my conclusions:


AMT SS-20 FEATURES:

  1. Really small sized Floor 2 Channel Guitar Preamp (CLEAN and DRIVE).
    "
    It's so small!" That is what I have in my mind when I was unboxing SS-20. The size only 11 ½ cm x 10 cm!
    The SS-20 weight is about the same or lighter than my Digitech DigiDelay.
  2. DRIVE channel consists of two modes, CRUNCH and LEAD. Each of these modes have a knob to adjust the amount of gain/drive.
    CRUNCH
    mode itself has another 3 pre-EQ switch to adjust the sound character. This switch really helps your guitar sound. LEAD mode, the drive level is quite heavy, but it sounded a bit compressed.
    For best distorted guitar sound, I suggesting you not to use LEAD mode but to use overdrive and boost the CRUNCH channel for better result. But thats my opinion...
  3. Effect Loop, wow, here's one of the advantages of SS-20 as compared with HK Tubeman mkII I ever owned. I wish HK Tubeman had this feature..
  4. Direct out mixer with Cabinet SimulatorHmmm, this feature only to one conclusion, the results sound fatter and warmer than Tubemans direct out.
    For
    AMT SS-20 and Tubeman owner who wants to record directly, I suggest you to use the normal output (non cab-sim) and VST plugin for cabinet impulse (ex:voxengo boogex, kefir) on the DAW to simulate poweramp and cabinet. It just sounds better this way (IMO).
  5. This beast using one Electro Harmonix 12AX7 tube (ECC83, CMIIW).To replace the tube, you should open the small lid on top and bottom plate in order to more easily access to the tube.

CONNECTIONS TO THE AMPLIFIER AND OTHER EFFECTS
AMT SS-20 output is made to be plugged into a guitar amp (fx-loop return) or poweramp input.
Although my statement is not mentioned in the manual, but the manual contains a diagram that shows a connection example as I mentioned above.
Here are some of my connection example


Example of a simple connection:
GUITAR => AMT SS-20 (out) => amps (RETURN / PWR AMP IN)


Examples of complex connections:
GUITAR => WAH => whammy => O / D => PHASER / CHORUS => NOISE GATE => AMT SS-20 (send) => EQ => Pitch Shifter / Harmonizer => Flanger => DELAY 1 => DELAY 2 => reverb => (return) AMT SS-20 => amps (RETURN / PWR AMP IN)


PRO AND CONS

Pro:
  1. The size is really small and lighter than tubeman. Awesome!
  2. FX-Loop proved to be very useful
  3. Unlike tubeman, cabinet simulator is pretty good on the SS20. Sounds good on all channel preamp.
  4. Access for tube replacement is quite easy
  5. Clean sound is quite charming. I prefer the clean channel on AMT SS-20 than Tubeman.
  6. Switch on Crunch channel is very much helped to shape the sound. Create a 80s guitar tone? use position 1. Modern metal? Use position 3..
  7. Cheaper than HK Tubeman

Cons:
  1. There is no separate knob to control the amount volume for CRUNCH and LEAD channel. Well, nothings perfect.
  2. Some people say that AMT is use SMD chip to reduce its size. If there is something happened with the SMD chip... bye-bye
    But, just fyi, some of Boss and MXR stomp now using SMD..
  3. Some people also say that the AMT is power adaptor is its weakes link. Better use voltage stabilizer or power conditioner for this.
  4. Your band is a rock band with 2 guitarists. If your guitar partner use distortion from a good amp like JCM800, then be prepare because your guitar sound cannot cut through the band mix. Yes, you and your partner should discuss and compromise about your sound departement..
    Let's play some music and not driven by your ego..



SOUND SAMPLE:

Sample 1
Sample 2

1 comment:

  1. Hi Andre. Hope your blog is still alive as i know this post is 9 years old..

    I would like to clarify on the SS20 connections. What is the difference between putting my Fx pedals in the SS20 loop or just putting them between the output of the SS20 and the power amp ?

    Look forward to your reply. thanks

    If you no longer use this blog, u can reply via Facebook (Syed Ahmad Faiz)

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