NAD: H&K Puretone

djspecialist

I actually bought this a couple of weeks back, but have been busy ... so please forgive the delay in NAD rejoicement

I was looking for a replacement pedal platform, consulted a few tFB wise men about this model and was told:

• it has a lovely clean sound and takes pedals beautifully

• ‎it's bastard loud

They were right

Actually it's easy to get a great sound at rehearsal levels, but not (IME) at home.  However, since I bought this specifically as a gigging amp that's fine for me.  The built in power soak doesn't seem to greatly affect the overall volume.   Lower settings have a touch more compression, but to me it seems pretty subtle.

I don't feel I have enough hands-on experience with classic amp models / voices to tell you which ones this may resemble, but I can say it has a wonderfully deep, rich sound - plenty of swirling harmonics and a shimmering top end.  Setting the EQ all at noon "just works" in terms of getting a full clean sound, and I can tweak from there to adjust to the room.

Hitting it with a clean boost (I have a Dr Scientist The Cleanness at the end of the chain) brings out a touch of hair.  The individual character of different drive pedals (currently ARC Soothsayer, Snouse Black Box 2, Ramble FX Marvel Drive and a Wampler Velvet clone) really shines through, as does delay and modulation.

The "growl" control (which progressively dials out the tone stack) adds gain and aggression, but I don't find it particularly pleasing, and have always ended up with it at zero.  Given the extent to which this amp seems to love all my drive pedals, I don't feel I'm missing out.

Playing with the band, it cuts nicely without ever being harsh.  The ample headroom means I can get lots of different shades using the guitar volume and picking dynamics.  It also makes it unforgiving of mistakes - need to work on my chops ...

It's having its first run out at a gig on Saturday.  Can't wait.

photek

Well done for getting it mate. They are superb amps, hidden gems really considering they are quite inexpensive second hand. I really liked the growl control up a little bit once the amp was set loud, Sounded to me to bring in some more mid range / voxy kind of vibe. Enjoy!

djspecialist

photek said:

Well done for getting it mate. They are superb amps, hidden gems really considering they are quite inexpensive second hand. I really liked the growl control up a little bit once the amp was set loud, Sounded to me to bring in some more mid range / voxy kind of vibe. Enjoy!

Cheers man.  It does seem quite a bargain, for such a great-sounding and solidly built amp.

I'll have a play again with the Growl - maybe in a band mix I'll like it better (until now I've only every tried it at home).

When you say "set loud" ... how loud did you tend to run it?    Even 1.5 in the rehearsal room was pushing it.  Hopefully I'll get to open it a bit more at the gig tomorrow.

ennspek

Fantastic amps. Excellent choice. Enjoy!

djspecialist

ennspek said:

Fantastic amps. Excellent choice. Enjoy!

I certainly am enjoying it so far.

Its first gig last night went really well - I even got compliments on my tone, which I attribute largely to the H&K

kennedydream1980

Fantastic amps, unfortunately for me I couldn’t get it quiet enough :-) we have a really low stage volume and the H&K was just too bloody loud, sounded great though.

markj

Superb amp but very loud. I dont know how ive used mine for a practice amp for so long, hence its up for sale in the classifieds.