Fractal Audio AX8 versus Supro Black Magick

In this video I compare my Fractal Audio AX8 with my Supro Black Magick 25w tube combo. Nothing too scientific here just a fun video to see if the new amp modellers stack up with a great tube amp. Please leave your thoughts in the comments. Matt

Supro recording:
Recording: Royer r-121, Shure SM57, SSL Alpha Channel pre-amps, and a slight sweeten in Logic Audio.

[Minerva_Devi]

Both sounds are really great! The Supro's noticeably sharper and sparklier in the top end whereas the Fractal sounds just as jangly, albeit a tad more tame in the upper mids by comparison (which I prefer honestly). Great video as always! Keep up the great work!

[mdub]

I thought for sure the red shirt was the Supro. Quite pleased since I am a happy AX8 owner. FWIW-there is a Supro model in the AX8. Nice video, as always.

[sirrattles]

Another great video Matt. I picked it one. (just lucky maybe) I thought the amp sounded a lot warmer than the AX8,
but that's one of the reasons I spend to much on tube amps. LOL. P.S. nice tele.

[jascoskrepedevich]

Great demo! I thought the polka shirt was less compressed and had a stronger upper midrange presence, whereas the red shirt was more compressed and had less chime to it.

[bartnettle]

I thought it was the other way around. LOL But about halfway realized that the amp is going to sound harder to play and crisper. At the end my fears were realized. LOL Both sound good. The fractal tone is nicely wetter and at a guess easier to play compared to the amp. Cheers

[angrygoldfish]

I couldn't tell them apart. Tube amps generally feel different in the room when playing them, but in a recording DSP technology has advanced so far that it's almost impossible to pick which one is digital.

[paulsmith]

Well, I was sure the red shirt was the amp. Much fuller and a sweeter tone...

[sonofhendrix]

omg i was wrong. And the AX8 sounds better than the Supro amp, brighter richer sound.

[semyonboyk]

Here is the list of all amps with descriptions:

Supro is called SUPREMO TREM (based on Supro 1964T)

[joshuahomer]

The AX8 sounds really good in this video. Can you share the preset you used in this comparison? Thanks

[sixstringgypsy]

Wow. I'm impressed with both, however given that I was COMPLETELY mistaken about which was which, I find the ax8 to be the victor in tone this time. I've played an hanwired AC15 for years and a Dr. Z Maz 38 before that. I've been searching for a new alternative to the Vox (looking specifically at the Black Magick and Coronado) and stumbled upon this excellent comparison. Now for another year of decision making...

[profile]

Ego Slayer
Ego Slayer
54 seconds
I have an guitar and its the 6 string model

[Panic]

Man, that AX8 sounds nothing like a tube amp. These people must be deaf.