Dynamo Amps – A Cure for G.A.S ?
The Grin | Jun 07, 2012 | Comments 3
By Francis ‘The Grin’ Gray
All over the world, musicians and some DJ’s suffer from Gear Acquisition Syndrome (or G.A.S.). All who suffer from G.A.S. have the delusion that the next piece of gear would grace them as a cure. Hope is around the corner now. Thanks to Dynamo Amplifies. These amps are new to market with a different idea in mind. The concept of a high gain amp in a compact size, was the apple on the head of one Ervin Williams. His product was intended for recording studios under the name “Demon Cabinets”. They contacted Bogner and Mako amplification for a partnership, but the cost was too much and relations had to end. Still on the fringes of a great start, they looked to something time tested. Just as I am inspired by Ihsahn to play heavy, or Danko Jones to rock hard, so too Williams used the JCM800 2203 as a starting point in North Texas. Today, these amps are hand crafted. From the assembly, soldering, powder coating and silk screening, so you know your buying quality, audiophile-grade components in a 3 quarter inch aluminum housing.
The M50X has a laser cut chassis from 1.5mm of steel and built with premium mercury magnetic power & output transformers. This amp is the affordable powerhouse for its size. I suspect this was model one when they were still Demon Cabs, but we are not here for my speculations. 50 watts of raw output from two EL-34 power tubes and four 12AX7 pre-amp tubes in a single Super Overdrive Channel. The new standard is set low on space and at a fair price of $1800.
GTS or Grand Tour Series rumbles your bones at 200 watts from four KT-90 tubes in a Super Overdrive or Clean Channel through 99.9% pure silver, solid core wiring to all audio controls. There is also a tube buffered effects loop in case you want to get a little extra funky with some stellar pedals. I would consider this amp to complement heavier tones with a thick crunch, and with a crystal clean channel.
The GT6 just screams “Texas Flood” to me. When placed next to the GTS, one would wonder what the differences are? Well wonder no more. The name alone was inspired by the six KT-77/EL34 power tubes. These are better known for their “British” sound but I think it suits southern rock very well. The GT6 still has the same audiophile-grade components, pure silver wiring and buffered effects loop the GTS has, but still with a lush sound for rock. Oh, it also has some shinny golden knobs for people like me, who are known for a short attention span.
As for the cabinets, these beastly things are a world of their own. We all know that the devil is in the details, so the care and attention in the construction is no exception to the rule. The GT6 has a matching 4×12 cab with Fane Medusa 150 speakers as a standard but the options for upgrading to a Fane Axiom 12L or the EVM 12L Black Label are as easy as a phone call. The matching cab for the M50X is a 2×12 loaded with KTS-70 or KTS-60 from Austin Speaker Works. Now when I say “matching” cab and head, I only mean the colors. If its your flavor to have the red M50X with the Tan 4×12, then power to ya friend. But there is no need to compromise the color because the GTS 2×12 is the little black dress for all heads. The EVM 12L Black Label speakers come standard and for a little more, the Fane Axiom 12L are just around the corner. But I know here in the land of The Tone King, we have no shortage of Zakk Wylde fans.
So, if your playing in the bed room, between the bar and VLT’s or opening for Black Label Society, Dynamo amps are sure to turn heads and impress people who recognize high quality when they hear it. On a personal note, it helps a lot when you can fit all of your gear in one van.
Warning: Buying a Dynamo Amp, may not cure G.A.S., but not buying dynamo amps is proven to prolong symptoms.
See Dynamo in action from The New York Amp Show :
[youtube]YQVz-hmOm0k[/youtube]
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