Hi! I hope you don’t mind giving some advice on buying a desktop amp. I’m talking basically about those amp sims with full range mini-speakers. I’ve been playing for years, but I’ve been using amp sims. I’ve previously owned tube amps, but found them inconvenient for practicing and always ended up playing unplugged. I also tried vox amPlug, which was better, but I also dislike having headphones on while playing. So I primarily want a desktop amp that would inspire me to play more.
I’ve looked at various ones online (I don’t really have an opportunity to try them live), which makes a decision very hard.
My list so far:
- Yamaha THR30
- Positive Grid Spark 40
- Hotone Pulze
- Nux mighty space
I also don’t have great PC speakers, so maybe I could also use it as general speaker there. Do you have experience on any of those? Some others? Any advice?
Thanks!
Edit:
Ordered a Nux Mighty Space, it could take a week or two before it arrives. I’ll post an update once I get it. Thanks everyone!
I love my Positive Grid Spark Mini. It’s become my favorite amp just from the portability aspect. The sound is surprisingly good from a tiny little box, too.
Do you think there’s anything to be gained from going one size up? It’s stereo, perhaps near-field, it might sound better with some stereo effects? Currently, I’m thinking either Spark or Nux Mighty space. Spark is a lot cheaper, though.
I don’t really know, tbh. I’ve never played or even heard a 40 in person. I got the mini because it was cheap(ish) and I wanted the portability. The sound quality was a pleasant surprise because I wasn’t expecting much. But it’s great for carrying around to different rooms if I want to change scenery while I’m practicing.
Although I see you’ve already made your decision, I can answer this question as I have both. For its size, the Spark mini sounds pretty good, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the sound quality of the 40. I’m going to have to research the Nux, if you chose it over all the features of the Spark. I hadn’t heard of it before today so you’ve peaked my curiosity.
What makes the Spark perfect for me is the ability to download any guitar sound I want. There’s a huge community that create custom sounds, most based on the specific sound of a specific artist and song. So when I want to sound like AC/DC Back in Black I just search in the app for cloud tones of AC/DC (or Back in Black), preview a few (which can be done without actually downloading them but you can still play your guitar to hear the tone) then pick my favorite to add to the amp.
Edit: The Nux looks like the better deal as you get the features of a Spark, but with a free wireless guitar jack. I had to buy a wireless system to be able to use my Spark without a guitar cable anchoring me down and will never go back to using cables. So it looks like you made the right choice (or at least the one I would have if I had never heard either IRL).
Honestly, I feel I would probably be happy with any of those, probably even something entirely different too. And given I have not tried anything similar, Nux is just an educated guess.