Finally at home. St.Rock REACT:IR - *blind test vs. Torpedo update*

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mcstinger

mcstinger

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It took me long time to decide, whether to buy or not, as I have Torpedo Live already. But, you know...

Arrived today. First 20 min test, it seems to be a nice piece of gear. Works as expected, sounds good, attenuates well :)

IMG_20220712_194722740.jpg
 
It always amazes that during a war, the postal service keeps shipping... i'd imagine, as far as it can get in and out of an area. Did this ship from Ukraine or via a manufacturer in "Chaina"? How do the two loads compare? Do you notice a diff in the highs or lows? I'd consider buying one just to support the manufacturer.
 
@Kapo_Polenton
As I am EU located, it was shipped from Hungary. So shipping was quite fast, few days. Regarding to info from Vasilius, they of course have problems due to the war. He told me, that they will see money from sales after the war. Who knows, when the war will finish...

So far not able to compare those two units, not enough time. The first impression is very good, even 'only' through headphones. Reactive switch makes a lot of difference. And I really like attenuator. Sounds good and I can get rid of my old rack attenuator, I am short of rack space :)

There are already some minus points, but some are more or less quite subjective. Small headphone jack, small display, external power supply... Someone could mind a bit of popping/clicking when changing presets, this is not very nice. An it seems ReactIR is more prone to interference, than Torpedo. Running Ethernet over power temporarily and ReactIR is catching it. Software is a bit crazy and not that intuitive, but that is often like that. HW specialists are mostly not that good in UI and UX design. I am HW specialist, so I know :)

But generally, I like it, it sounds pretty good. Must compare those two units deeper.
 
I was nervous giving up my torpedo live for a st rock but I don't regret doing so.

LOVE the St Rock
 
saxxamafone said:
I was nervous giving up my torpedo live for a st rock but I don't regret doing so.

LOVE the St Rock
Click to expand...

So I take it you were able to compare them as a load.. notable differences or did you just prefer the attentuator or other?
 
Around 30 minutes of A/B testing on Savage SE, which has that nice feature of box switching. Tested just on one Ownhammer IR, which I use often, so I know it. No EQs etc., just clean IR.

ReactIR switched to passive, resonance off. Torpedo sounds definitely better and fuller to me. ReactIR is too flat sounding and has quite lot of sizzle (can get rid of it by LP on 8k).

ReactIR switched to reactive, resonance on. ReactIR is much better than in passive mode. I believe it sounds a bit clearer with less sizzle (but it's still there) and the change is like applying EQ curve with more bass and more upper mids. Surprisingly, Torpedo is still excellent in comparison. It sounds middier, but with more lower mids than ReactIR. Both sound excellent, no shame for older Torpedo here. There is a difference, but it's something like 'do you like Marshall or Mesa voicing?'. Sometimes I felt like ReactIR is a bit clearer, but you know, ear is such a bastard.

Quick conclusion (based on one IR and headphones): Torpedo is still surprisingly good. Small differences can be easily managed with EQ. If I have to choose just one, it would probably be ReactIR, because it has variable attenuator, which being mostly home player I do use. I believe, Torpedo has a bit better software (even it looks awful), ReactIR has some other bells and whistles. If you are Torpedo owner and dreaming about ReactIR, stay calm and wait for a good deal.
 
Kapo_Polenton said:
So I take it you were able to compare them as a load.. notable differences or did you just prefer the attentuator or other?
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I didn't get the chance to do that comparison directly.. just referenced back against older torpedo clips.

Don't get me wrong, the torpedo is still killer.

from what i've read and heard, the st rock seems maybe a tad truer to a mic'd cab... but we're splitting hairs now :)
 
mcstinger said:
Around 30 minutes of A/B testing on Savage SE, which has that nice feature of box switching. Tested just on one Ownhammer IR, which I use often, so I know it. No EQs etc., just clean IR.

ReactIR switched to passive, resonance off. Torpedo sounds definitely better and fuller to me. ReactIR is too flat sounding and has quite lot of sizzle (can get rid of it by LP on 8k).

ReactIR switched to reactive, resonance on. ReactIR is much better than in passive mode. I believe it sounds a bit clearer with less sizzle (but it's still there) and the change is like applying EQ curve with more bass and more upper mids. Surprisingly, Torpedo is still excellent in comparison. It sounds middier, but with more lower mids than ReactIR. Both sound excellent, no shame for older Torpedo here. There is a difference, but it's something like 'do you like Marshall or Mesa voicing?'. Sometimes I felt like ReactIR is a bit clearer, but you know, ear is such a bastard.

Quick conclusion (based on one IR and headphones:) Torpedo is still surprisingly good. Small differences can be easily managed with EQ. If I have to choose just one, it would probably be ReactIR, because it has variable attenuator, which being mostly home player I do use. I believe, Torpedo has a bit better software (even it looks awful), ReactIR has some other bells and whistles. If you are Torpedo owner and dreaming about ReactIR, stay calm and wait for a good deal.
Click to expand...

Great, thanks for the detailed review. Sounds like it might really be splitting hairs. Maybe not as much of a difference as say Torpedo vs Suhr which I def. hear.
 
Kapo_Polenton said:
Great, thanks for the detailed review. Sounds like it might really be splitting hairs. Maybe not as much of a difference as say Torpedo vs Suhr which I def. hear.
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Here's a great review of the St Rock and Suhr next to each other.

 
No idea why they would even include passive mode on it, any Passive load sounds incredibly terrible compared to a reactive load. Not really a fair point there considering the torpedo is only a reactive load.


How are you monitoring this? Still only on headphones?
 
Kapo_Polenton said:
Great, thanks for the detailed review. Sounds like it might really be splitting hairs. Maybe not as much of a difference as say Torpedo vs Suhr which I def. hear.
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Well, don't take me wrong. Definitely, there is a difference in a sound. But I am not able to say, which device has a better output, regarding to quality. I would say, it's something like swapping power amps and keeping speakers, or moving mic a bit.

I guess, in a direct comparison more people will tend to choose ReactIR, because it's output has a bit more bass, sounds bigger. But I am not convinced, that it is MUCH better. If I will have some free time during the weekend, I will record few riffs on both.
 
mcstinger said:
Well, don't take me wrong. Definitely, there is a difference in a sound. But I am not able to say, which device has a better output, regarding to quality. I would say, it's something like swapping power amps and keeping speakers, or moving mic a bit.

I guess, in a direct comparison more people will tend to choose ReactIR, because it's output has a bit more bass, sounds bigger. But I am not convinced, that it is MUCH better. If I will have some free time during the weekend, I will record few riffs on both.
Click to expand...


It’s definitely much, much better in my opinion :). I think when you record with them you’ll see the difference. The high end to me is also much more natural on it as well as a few other loadboxes. I would strongly suggest double tracking a riff and panning them each 100/100 when making comparison clips, as well as truly level matching them, this is the only way to truly compare.
 
VESmedic said:
It’s definitely much, much better in my opinion :). I think when you record with them you’ll see the difference. The high end to me is also much more natural on it as well as a few other loadboxes. I would strongly suggest double tracking a riff and panning them each 100/100 when making comparison clips, as well as truly level matching them, this is the only way to truly compare.
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Well, I don't want to argue :). Just my humble opinion after quick A/B switching test with perfectly matched output levels. I will make some recording, when time will allow. If someone is interested, can send me some favorite IR, otherwise i will use one from my stock :).
 
mcstinger said:
Well, I don't want to argue :). Just my humble opinion after quick A/B switching test with perfectly matched output levels. I will make some recording, when time will allow. If someone is interested, can send me some favorite IR, otherwise i will use one from my stock :).
Click to expand...


Well, If it’s not much different to you, let me know and I’ll buy it! :)
 
Well, so I have reamped notoriously known KSE RoS DI tracks and created this blind test video. Enjoy.

 
mcstinger said:
Well, so I have reamped notoriously known KSE RoS DI tracks and created this blind test video. Enjoy.

Click to expand...



As much as I’m against trying to guess on a YouTube clip, I’d bet a lot of money A is the st rock. And that’s going down the road in my truck listening.
 
Yes, after some time of using React:IR, I must say, it is soundwise better than Torpedo Live. It's not huge difference, but it's more detailed and simply sounds better. Definitely I would recommend it for studio work. For live use, I would not hesitate to use Torpedo Live, if already in my rack. As a new unit, React:IR without questions, also regarding to the price point.
 
A is tighter. So if the tighter one is St.Rock there is Def. A difference. But the difference is less than what is between Torpedo and Suhr. For accessibility I'd say torpedo hard to beat. Find them easily wherever you are. Must be the reason why Steve Stevens is using the torpedo x live now.
 
Yes, A is React:IR. What I don't like on St.Rock is, that as soon as it is connected to the PC, it's local controls are locked. In my case it is connected 100% of time. On Torpedo live I used to quickly change presets or some parameters from the front panel without moving to the comp and fiddling with the mouse. And that small headphone jack I will probably never understand.
 
mcstinger said:
Yes, A is React:IR. What I don't like on St.Rock is, that as soon as it is connected to the PC, it's local controls are locked. In my case it is connected 100% of time. On Torpedo live I used to quickly change presets or some parameters from the front panel without moving to the comp and fiddling with the mouse. And that small headphone jack I will probably never understand.
Click to expand...

I guess that's the thing that also has to be considered. Ease of use and how it is used. If you want to gig or pack and go, Torpedo X is probably worth it's price and convenience. Plus there is bound to be more of them available on the market used.
 
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