I'm on the fence about buying a Kemper because prices have skyrocketed to boutique amp level. I don't want to make such a big investment only to find out they're going to release a new profiler a year or two from now. Anyone know what the deal with Kemper technology is and have they said anything about a new model? Is anyone else holding out? This is kind of a tough decision because if prices go up even more, I won't be able to afford one.
Hold Out or Buy?
- MistaGuitah
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The kemper buisiness model is to keep it a classis and have it around. I appreciate that an its kooky looks will be relevant for some while. They are not line 6 releasing a model every year an thats great. People want touch screens an multiple amps but kemper is to be treated like a amp an not a multi effects unit. They may bring out new models but I think the traditional unit is here to stay. Just wish they would get the profiling 100 right like tone x just did.
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I don't know what you mean about prices skyrocketing to boutique amp level? When did this happen? I only started paying attention to the Kemper in the last couple years. At that time, I had a similar thought of holding out. My current view is that the Kemper does 99% of what I need. I see it as an all in one solution. I often use it live and some sort of foot controller is mandatory for me. I had a Ground Control Pro, so I tried it as well as Morningstar MC-8. I then got a Remote. I can say the Remote is by far the best solution for me as far as time invested vs functionality. I bought both as rerfubs with full warranty at a substantial discount compared to factory new. Looking back, I should have moved to the Remote sooner.
To be honest, I am not aware of anything that could SIGNIFICANTLY be improved. The word in bold is the operative word. I designed and built tube amps for decades and I can't see how the profiling or effects could get much better. The sound quality and feel is already there and I would guess that Kemper will not improve on it in any significant way because no significant improvements are needed. Just my guess. There are minor things, but this will always be the case. To date, I'm very happy that I did not wait. I would not invest in a new unit for any of the changes that I suspect that Kemper will make. Mine does what I need. It is already a good size, weight, and feature set for me. The amps sounds are excellent. What more could I want that would matter much? At this point, I am not 'wasting' time on technology, but rather just playing the instrument with all the great sounds that the Kemper has to offer.
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One boutique amp costs is equivalent to one Kemper. However, Kemper can hold thousands of amps profiles which would cost you tens of thousands to own. The sound the Kemper makes today is the sound it will make 100 years from now (if we are not all glowing). When you consider that then it's a no-brainer. The only thing different a Kemper 2.0 can provide is maybe stereo poweramp, dual amps, double the effects chain, and a color touch screen. Nice to have as an option but none of those are necessary. You are wasting time waiting, IMO.
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And keep an eye on the second hand market.
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depends were it is guys. In australia a kemper is like 3-4 thousand
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depends were it is guys. In australia a kemper is like 3-4 thousand
I was not aware of that! That would be a deal breaker for me.
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depends were it is guys. In australia a kemper is like 3-4 thousand
That's AUD. A Kemper Stage costs 2799 AUD= 1749€. In Gernany costs 1649€. 100 € for shipping at the other side of the globe is quite fair...
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The Stage sells in Australia for about $2,800 AUD, which is about $1,800 EUR, so pretty similar price, I think. That's about what I paid for mine years ago, with free shipping to NZ.
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Snap
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The Stage sells in Australia for about $2,800 AUD, which is about $1,800 EUR, so pretty similar price, I think. That's about what I paid for mine years ago, with free shipping to NZ.
I got mine for 1000 pounds uk, newer model. Not with import an shipping soldier. Snap. They def gone up i just looked at second hand ones 1800 aud. New, yea i can get a boutique amp for that. Roundabouts we talking examples here. They have not gone down in price for sure.
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Anyone know what the deal with Kemper technology is and have they said anything about a new model?
They have never said anything about a new model since the introduction of the original white unpowered head in 2012.
And, people have been asking if they should buy or wait for a new model since 2012. It has always been a reasonable question, but, it will always work at least as well as it does when you buy it. I stopped using my Marshall Jubilee as soon as I profiled it, and have not looked back. And, there are all the other sounds I use that the Marshall could not do with only two channels
AS has been said above, if you are concerned about the price of a new one, buy used. You can update it to be identical to a new one (with the only possible exception of SPDIF slave capability with older models).
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Its entirely possible that there is false assumption which underlies this thread.
It is that inevitably, after so long, Kemper be actively working on a Mark II Kemper profiling amplifier.
That is a reasonable assumption, based upon the practise of other manufacturers, but doesn’t mean that it is in any way actually true.
It is just as likely that such a class leading innovator, one that disrupts existing markets with ground breaking class leading products, is likely to be working on something far beyond conceptualisations expressed here.
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You said it yourself. Inflation makes everything cost more. Why would a Profiler be any different?
"Not lacking in features but more affordable." - that sounds like you want them to give you the same thing, but charge less.
No company is ever going to tell the world (and their competition) "Here's what we're going to do next!!" That's bad business 101. What if something happens that prevents them from doing what they said? Or they come up with a better idea? Then they don't keep their promises. Nevermind the fact that their future plans are none of your or my business.
The Profiler is unchanged except for (very) minor things since 2011. Prior to that, the Virus keyboards (Christophe Kemper's first revolutionary music invention) had a long life without resorting to 'new and improved' versions.
It's *not* likely to change. There is zero evidence to prove that claim and more than a couple decades of proof that it won't change. CK has said (repeatedly) the profiling process is as good as he can make it. When the second delay LED became obsolete, did they change the unit? Nope. There's a light sensor on the Remote that's never been implemented. Buy a new one today - it's still there.
If you were looking at Fractal, then yeah. Guaranteed they'll add the word Turbo, Ultra or go up a number I, II, III....etc to a unit and begin obsoleting the old one. Line6 hasn't changed the underlying technology for the Helix since, what? 2015? Is that obsolete?
As for YouTubers - their motivation is for you to look at their stuff. If that agrees or disagrees with reality, it'll make no difference. They'll stir the pot no matter what so you'll keep looking.
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There's a light sensor on the Remote that's never been implemented. Buy a new one today - it's still there.
Never realised that until you mentioned it ... now I have the feeling my unit is faulty, thanks
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Never realised that until you mentioned it ... now I have the feeling my unit is faulty, thanks
Faulty? Nope.
...and I'm here to help.
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Faulty? Nope.
...and I'm here to help.
I know
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You said it yourself. Inflation makes everything cost more. Why would a Profiler be any different?
No, that's not what I said. Try quoting people verbatim so you don't rephrase it in your own terms.
"Not lacking in features but more affordable." - that sounds like you want them to give you the same thing, but charge less.
No, I never said that I expect Kemper to offer the same thing cheaper. I don't know where you got that, but anyone can look at the Fractal FM3 vs Axe FX III and see a perfect example of I'm talking about.
No company is ever going to tell the world (and their competition) "Here's what we're going to do next!!" That's bad business 101. What if something happens that prevents them from doing what they said? Or they come up with a better idea? Then they don't keep their promises. Nevermind the fact that their future plans are none of your or my business.
Sorry but you really don't know what you're talking about, nor does it appear you understand who you're talking to. Go to any company website and you'll usually see a section about company news and press releases. That is how they keep the public, customers, stakeholders, stockholders, etc. informed on company developments and outlook. You're acting like I said they should go and reveal research and development, but that's not what I said at all. Again, try relating to what people actually say and not what you assume they're trying to say.
The Profiler is unchanged except for (very) minor things since 2011. Prior to that, the Virus keyboards (Christophe Kemper's first revolutionary music invention) had a long life without resorting to 'new and improved' versions.
LOL! So the Kemper Stage doesn't count? Not only that, do you think Kemper develops products independently of public opinion, customer requests, etc.? Sorry but none of us would be on this forum if Kemper didn't keep their ear to the rails.
It's *not* likely to change. There is zero evidence to prove that claim and more than a couple decades of proof that it won't change. CK has said (repeatedly) the profiling process is as good as he can make it. When the second delay LED became obsolete, did they change the unit? Nope. There's a light sensor on the Remote that's never been implemented. Buy a new one today - it's still there.
Sorry but there are countless factors that influence companies and their products. Competition is one major example. If Kemper started losing significant market share because people start flocking to another brand or product, you can bet they'll adapt in order to stay competitive. Inflation, supply & demand, music industry, music schools, etc. all contribute to the direction musical instrument manufacturers go. So yeah, it is indeed likely to change.
If you were looking at Fractal, then yeah. Guaranteed they'll add the word Turbo, Ultra or go up a number I, II, III....etc to a unit and begin obsoleting the old one. Line6 hasn't changed the underlying technology for the Helix since, what? 2015? Is that obsolete?
Funny how you just said how unlikely Kemper is to change but that it's "guaranteed" Fractal will do what you expect. As for Line6, you're making a useless, irrelevant argument because I only mentioned that to qualify my assessment of modeling amps and support my preference for the Kemper.
As for YouTubers - their motivation is for you to look at their stuff. If that agrees or disagrees with reality, it'll make no difference. They'll stir the pot no matter what so you'll keep looking.
Another useless point of contention. I did regard YouTube and social media pundits as "talking heads" that "babble" and "propagate" certain ideas. Any monkey can get on YouTube and see a dozen videos titled something like, "Is Kemper Outdated?" In fact, mingled in the social media hype surrounding Quad Cortex is plenty of regard about Kemper falling into antiquity, being less authentic, etc. These are contrary to my opinion yet you seem to argue as if I'm speaking on their behalf. YouTubers, bloggers, or whoever do have significant influence as they are a ready resource for people evaluating the purchase of products. You might think little of them and perceive them as being unrealistic, or whatever, but I'm sober enough to understand how much they affect public opinion. It would be ignorant to write them off in such a sense that companies can successfully navigate the market sphere unaffected by their presentations. Look dude, when a good guitarist with a studio does a detailed demonstration of Kemper vs [X Product] and gives his opinion, even if they're just a shill or marketing whore, it's undoubtedly going to affect product purchasing.
I perceive you're just reacting like a naysayer wanting to disagree with things rather than someone thoughtful and considerate of what was actually said. Asking questions, seeking clarification, being accurate and not rewording people's statements with skewed thoughts are all marks of rational, intelligent discussion. If you can converse on that level then you're welcome to try again.
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I perceive you're just reacting like a naysayer wanting to disagree with things rather than someone thoughtful and considerate of what was actually said. Asking questions, seeking clarification, being accurate and not rewording people's statements with skewed thoughts are all marks of rational, intelligent discussion. If you can converse on that level then you're welcome to try again.
It's OK to say you don't agree with my assessment. Or ignore it. Instead, you decide to ridicule.
I've seen and heard worse by better.
