New Line 6 Catalyst CX range - but I'm a little confused.

Voxman

The new range expands amp models from 6 to 12, effects from 18 to 24, and allows 2 effects (but inc reverb as one of these) rather than 1 fx plus reverb to be selected, so a little more flexible.  Still 2 channels.

But it appears existing Catalysts can be firmware upgraded to the same amp/fx spec.  So why would you spend £399 on a CX100 rather than £225-259 for the original Catalyst 100 mk1 - I feel like I must be missing something...anyone? 

chrisj1602

Grey grill cloth

monquixote

Voxman said:

The new range expands amp models from 6 to 12, effects from 18 to 24, and allows 2 effects (but inc reverb as one of these) rather than 1 fx plus reverb to be selected, so a little more flexible.  Still 2 channels.

But it appears existing Catalysts can be firmware upgraded to the same amp/fx spec.  So why would you spend £399 on a CX100 rather than £225-259 for the original Catalyst 100 mk1 - I feel like I must be missing something...anyone? 

I expect the old ones are being discontinued.

jellybelly

Have the old ones inherited the 'any two effects' bit??

thecolourbox

I think you get more presets on the new ones?

chrisj1602

Are we comparing end of line pricing of the first Catalysts with the new CX RRP? I expect will probably come down a bit.

Humboldt

jellybelly said:

Have the old ones inherited the 'any two effects' bit??

Yes, but that means that you can't also use reverb (unless there's a way round this).

jellybelly

Yeah so reverb is one of the two, I guess?

Edit: leant my Cat100 to a friend - will have to go get it back to try this out!

Humboldt

If you select two different effects the orange light on the reverb button is replaced by the colour code of the second effect that you selected.

Voxman

jellybelly said:

Yeah so reverb is one of the two, I guess?

Edit: leant my Cat100 to a friend - will have to go get it back to try this out!

Yup, as I explained. Before, you had a dedicated reverb plus 1 effect, now you have 2 effects, one of which can be reverb or anything else.  But the firmware update means you get this now on the older model too. 
 

jellybelly

Voxman said:

jellybelly said:

Yeah so reverb is one of the two, I guess?

Edit: leant my Cat100 to a friend - will have to go get it back to try this out!

Yup, as I explained. Before, you had a dedicated reverb plus 1 effect, now you have 2 effects, one of which can be reverb or anything else.  But the firmware update means you get this now on the older model too. 
 

I thought you were just talking about the new one in your post, @Humboldt clarified that it uses the reverb knob and led on the old model for 'effect 2'

DiscoStu

I've been comparing the old and new layouts and they look the same other than 'reverb' on the old one and 'effect 2' on the new one.
It does make the older one a steal but having said that the new grey grill cloth looks far better to me and less Katana-ish

jellybelly

Necro bump

I finally got my amp back and updated!

So I quite liked it before, and thought the edge of breakup/crunch tones were the strongest in there. 

It's now an order of magnitude more flexible in that regard - the Elmelsy amp (Chime Type 2) and Ventolux (Dynamic Type 2) are both incredible and have fantastic boosts. I could live entirely on the Ventolux with it's boost, it's that flexible and capable. 

The two effects bit is useful as well. Phaser and delay for something more spacey, or synth and tremolo for something more unique. 

I have swapped the stock speaker out for a spare WGS ET65 which has made a world of difference to the amp - I found it bass heavy and lacking clarity and sensitivity previously. 

Anyone gigged one? I'm wondering if I could get away with it. 

Nerine

Weirdly, I’ve been thinking about making a thread about this amp. 

I bought one when they were being offered on Black Friday last year for nearly literal mud and I paid £148 to the door. 

I’ve started using it quite a bit recently. I’ve had some stupid amps in my time, some absolutely outrageous ones, and I genuinely like the Catalyst and how it sounds. 

For £148 it’s daft value. 

I’ve even done a few “can’t be bothered to take the main rig” gigs with it, and I use it for rehearsal. It’s legitimately sounded good. Not for the price, just good. Loud enough, too.