[ohio_eric]

Rivera: The Definition of Tone

Rivera is unloading it as NOS. I'd call fast if you're interested.

[JJ Rodriguez]

320W tube? Jesus fucking Christ on a stick, that thing must be fucking loud.

[Leon]

^ and HEAVY.

[JJ Rodriguez]

Heavy? Sweet

[Apophis]

Awesome

[ibznorange]

ohmygod

[7 Dying Trees]

I have a TBR-5, picked it up almost a year ago, and love it. I had a 2:90, but the TBR-5 won and I sold the 2:90 I had bought to relegate the tbr-5 to a backup. This thing is amazing, and anyone wanting a power amp, I'd seriously advise them to pick it up. Can even be used at home, as the power amp can be switched down to 15w!

If someone needs a power amp, I'd highly recommend this.

anyway, here's the low down:

The good:

1) It consists of 2 power amps, with 4 power modes each: 160,75,45 and15w operation selectable on each (you can run one at 160w, the other side at 15w if you wish), this is through half power/full power and triode/pentode operation.

2) This power amp has a focus control. Basically loosens or tightwens the power amp, it's very very cool and i wish all power amps had this, the ability to set that really does breathe life into your sound.

3) Power comes from 8 6550 tubes. This power amp is hifi grade linear. The guiy that retubed mine measured it, basically, it'll faithfully reproduce anything going in. It doesn't colour the sound (a 2:90 colours the sound a lot more than this, it's a noticable diference)

4) Built like a tank.

5) Has switchable input gain via a 3 position switch per channel, i forget what the settings are, but one is the full signal, and then the other two are two levels of attenuation (ie, make it quiter)

6) All the usual Rivera hallmarks of oversized transformers, overengineering and military grade components and handbuilt. THis thing is serious quality.

7) Strangely enough, a lot of cinemas bought these. they'd buy the TBR-3 for the high mid/high end, the TBR-5's for the mid-low mid and use solid state amps for the low end. I actually bought mine of a guy who had a load racked up as a home cinema system who told me all this...

The Bad:

1) Thing weighs an absolute ton. It's heavier than a 2:90, but still just about carryable by one person (Although the rack case I have it in has metal treadplate over it which I am sure doesn't help)

2) It will cost you to retube. 8 6550's and 3 preamp valves. 6550's aren't the cheapest of tube...

3) No switching like, for instance, you get on the triaxis, but this isn't really a big deal to be honest.

4) If you get one without the fan casing (doubtfull as it's NOS) then you need to build one as this puppy needs airflow to keep it cool

[7 Dying Trees]

Originally Posted by JJ Rodriguez

320W tube? Jesus fucking Christ on a stick, that thing must be fucking loud.

yes, it is, when you want it to be.

[7 Dying Trees]

Originally Posted by Leon

^ and HEAVY.

My bandmates run away when i need to carry it. They all go strangely "missing"

[Rick]

Not as loud as that ginormous Crate.