ADA Depot - A Forum To Support Users of ADA Amplification Gear
Miscellaneous => Discussions => Topic started by: DannyjoeCarter on January 01, 2017, 12:26:04 AM
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Well Folks this week I purchased the Mesa Boogie Stereo 2:50 power amp as a companion to my new ADA MP-1 rig, which everything should be here this week, I'll post pics when everything is setup and running.
I chose that power amp mainly because of the being able to switch the power tubes from EL34's to 6L6s and find my new tone and voicing.
I'm very curious as to everyone thoughts on power amps, whether you use tube or solid state with your ADAs - just curious everyone's thoughts? :D
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Hi Dan,
I thought about one of those a while back, but decided against it because I believe that Mesa poweramps have a definite coloration to the tone of any preamp they may have through them, which is definitely a Mesa tone.
Personally, I'm holding out for something along a more vintage tone quality, like a VHT 2/50/2, and if I can find one that I can afoord, an ADA T100S. The main preamp I want to use these on are the Classics I have, since I feel that falls into a more vintage tone than the MP-1 or MP-2.
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Hi Dan,
I thought about one of those a while back, but decided against it because I believe that Mesa poweramps have a definite coloration to the tone of any preamp they may have through them, which is definitely a Mesa tone.
Personally, I'm holding out for something along a more vintage tone quality, like a VHT 2/50/2, and if I can find one that I can afoord, an ADA T100S. The main preamp I want to use these on are the Classics I have, since I feel that falls into a more vintage tone than the MP-1 or MP-2.
OK good to know Harley!
Back in the 91' when I had my first rack system the Mesa was the king and I had never checked anything else out really. The VHT stuff was on the market but no one dealt with it here in Vegas, only L.A. so that's what I went with. Once again though I'm gonna have to probably just pull the trigger and buy one when I get a little more money ( after this last week of buying two MP-1 and Mesa 2:50 ) check the VHT stuff.
Now as for the coloring, Harley can you describe that in any way? Like is it darker or how could explain it, if you don't mind Sir? :D
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Hi Dan,
I wouldn't call it darker or anything like that, it's more like the modern amps vs. the vintage ones. It's kind of like comparing a 1969 Marshall Plexi to a Mesa Dual Rectifier. They aren't even remotely like each other, The newer amps are much more aggresive, and have the ability to project much more distortion saturated tones with clarity, whereas if you tried to get that much gain from the older amps, it would sound much more like a carefully engineered fart.
I think the Mesa power amps wouldn't retain that vintage type of tube compression, but I could be wrong. Like everything else when it comes to gear, it all boils down to what pleases your ears.
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Well my take: boogie stuff sounds like boogie stuff, not a sound I like but obviously some do :dunno: . And Roland stuff all has a "boxy" roland sound :facepalm: . While there are many power amp possibilities out there, (and a crap load of posts on this topic elsewhere here), tried and true (for my part) is ADA B200s :thumb-up: , Carvin TS100 (all tube and also EL34 or 6L6) :metal: , or Carvin DCM 200L :banana-rock: . RG also has some good poweramps that he uses live. What you want is clean, transparent and "guitar" friendly.
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I can vouch for the B200s, T100s, and the MicroTube 200 being great candidates. I use my MT200 today, but if I find a B200s, I'll grab it (funds permitting).
BTW: Well Engineered Fart would be a great band name or song name
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OK really good to Folks and thanks you!
I just missed out on a mint condition Carvin TS100 ( chrome face ) and the guy only wanted $375!
The Mesa 2:50 will be here by Thursday so since it's already coming and I have a new set of EL34's and it's stock with 6L6s I will run it through it's paces. If anything, Boogie stuff seems to really hold it's value and I can return it or resell it. :D
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Yes, Mesa gear is pretty popular with the modern grind core crowd.
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I suspect the Messa 2:50 will work pretty well (not that I've tried one with ADA preamps, but others have. Also the Peavy offerings are popular among our members. And boogie stuff does seem to hold its value.
I have a B200s (love it) and a Carvin TS100 (came with 6L6, though will also take EL34s) and it's a great amp, and most recently I bought a Carvin DCM200L (works fine with both MP-2 and MB-1 bass setup). The DCM200 is very light and 1RU so good if you are space/weight challenged. All the tube poweramps weigh allot (power transformer(s) output transformers). The TS100 is quite a bit lighter though than some of the earlier tube amps. IIRC the ADA T100s weighs more than Dante's (old) car LoL. Albeit a very nice amp and next to impossible to find.
I had a MT100 briefly, not my fav amp and it was US voltage :facepalm: .
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Well Folks this week I purchased the Mesa Boogie Stereo 2:50 power amp as a companion to my new ADA MP-1 rig, which everything should be here this week, I'll post pics when everything is setup and running.
I chose that power amp mainly because of the being able to switch the power tubes from EL34's to 6L6s and find my new tone and voicing.
I did not know that you could switch tubes from EL34 to 6L6 in the 2:50. This sparked my interest, because I love both EL34 and 6L6 tone. Is it possible to use 6L6 on one side, and EL34 on the other?
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From the looks of it, I would say no because there is only one bias switch which means it controls all four power tubes. I think mixing tubes in that amp may cause damage if you run it that way.
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Yeah, you are probably right about that, Harley.
I know the Randall RT2/50 has this option to use 6L6 on one side, and EL34 on the other, but this amp is very rare and hard to find.
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I think there may be a few others out there that have that option. Maybe even Carvin has one.
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You can run the Carvin TS100 with EL34s on one side and 6l6s in the other, Jerrod the bobo was into this idea.. but why ?? Ok so you can (and that's good enough reason to try) and it will no doubt have a subtle effect on the (stereo) soundscape. My Carvin TS100 came with a nice set of GTs, and the output tubes are 6L6s. When I swap them out I'll put in some EL34s, but the 6L6s work well as a nice clean transparent power amp (which suites MP1/2). Funny though, while I really like the TS100 I still prefer the B200s...
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Well for me I like tube amps better for the MP-1.Although they also sound good on SS amps.
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I really like the idea of getting the same sound from the amp as I would by direct recording the ADA, so for me it's a "colorless" flat response system that works - a 1000W Crown power amp into 3-way PA speakers.
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Hey Gb, but with such a system you need some kind of speaker emulation to get a good sound?
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Well Folks this week I purchased the Mesa Boogie Stereo 2:50 power amp as a companion to my new ADA MP-1 rig, which everything should be here this week, I'll post pics when everything is setup and running.
I chose that power amp mainly because of the being able to switch the power tubes from EL34's to 6L6s and find my new tone and voicing.
I did not know that you could switch tubes from EL34 to 6L6 in the 2:50. This sparked my interest, because I love both EL34 and 6L6 tone. Is it possible to use 6L6 on one side, and EL34 on the other?
Yeah that was a big deal for me, also why I originally chose the Carvin TS100 but I missed that auction and found a mint condition Mesa 2:50 through Guitar Center and snagged it!
I have been using EL34 amps for the last two years and before I ran the Peavey 5150 with 6L6s for about 8 years. Each have their voicing - and attitude at high volumes. So now that I'm returning to the MP-1 I will have to hear what suites my needs for this new rack setup.
I have always loved playing with the band at crazy volumes ( which has taken a toll on my hearing ) and my drummer is 6'2" at 320 and a power lifter. While he has great finesse and feel he hits harder than anyone I have ever played with and I get buried in my own band when he gets excited LOL! We are going to be playing places that do not have their own P.A. and we are all instrumental so serious power is what I need and the solid state route has me a little concerned. So going the tube route will be my first step in this process then go from there. will keep you all posted :D
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$375 for a TS100!? No wonder it went quick
Yes, the T100s did weigh more than a 2001 VW GTi VR6. I can confirm this. My back can confirm this. Sounded awesome though. If I could just leave it somewhere ...that'd be great. My Boogie DC-5 combo was about as heavy, and had that characteristic dark Me$a sound...much like their other amps. I liked it...for a good long time. Now, I'm running a Marshall SS combo which is much brighter. Well, I was, until I gave it to my nephew to use until he gets his back from music school.
Re: Power tubes
I was farting around with an amp at GC one day...Egnator? It was able to switch from EL34s to 6L6s, or blend them with a knob. Fun experiment. I don't remember why, but I do remember liking the 6L6 sound better. Of course, that's with THAT amp, who knows what an MP-1 would sound like through it. :dunno: I'll be interested to hear what you think when you get the amp.
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$375 for a TS100!? No wonder it went quick
Yes, the T100s did weigh more than a 2001 VW GTi VR6. I can confirm this. My back can confirm this. Sounded awesome though. If I could just leave it somewhere ...that'd be great. My Boogie DC-5 combo was about as heavy, and had that characteristic dark Me$a sound...much like their other amps. I liked it...for a good long time. Now, I'm running a Marshall SS combo which is much brighter. Well, I was, until I gave it to my nephew to use until he gets his back from music school.
Re: Power tubes
I was farting around with an amp at GC one day...Egnator? It was able to switch from EL34s to 6L6s, or blend them with a knob. Fun experiment. I don't remember why, but I do remember liking the 6L6 sound better. Of course, that's with THAT amp, who knows what an MP-1 would sound like through it. :dunno: I'll be interested to hear what you think when you get the amp.
Yeah Dante that was on Reverb last week and it was in mint condition!!! I contacted the guy and he still has a Fractal for sale
( no interest to me ) and is a really nice guy. But I spent the extra money ( double actually ) and went with the Mesa.
And yes I will report to everyone how this setup sounds as soon as I get this new rig put together. SO many times I have a great living room/bedroom/recording sound that just got buried when I played with the band or live. That happened back in 91' with the first system I got to play through ( not mine but a friend let me join him on stage ) and he was using a Crown power amp with his MP-1 and a TC Electronics 2290. It was loud but still that rig got buried under the bass player and the other guitar rig, which was a Marshall JCM 800 which seemed to kill EVERYTHING in that club!!! So that got me thinking I needed to go tube with my rig which I did and got the Boogie 50/50 then later the 2:90.
So I'm very curious how things will be and sound 26 years later - but at least I've come back home to the ADA!!! :headbanger:
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You can run the Carvin TS100 with EL34s on one side and 6l6s in the other, Jerrod the bobo was into this idea.. but why ??
In my case, the reason for wanting EL34's on one side and 6L6 on the other is that I am a two preamp setup in mono. The 6L6 side for my Mesa Triaxis preamp, and the EL34 side for the MP-1.
I did not know that the Carvin TS-100 can have 6L6 on one channel and EL34 on the other. As an owner of the older version of this poweramp (the Carvin T-100) I am wondering if it's possible on this model too?
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Hey rADAr, I'm not familiar with the previous carvin. I bought a TS100 when my B200s was playing up. I know the Australian importer and he did me a really good price (IIRC $600 AUD and they were around $1k AUD retail). This one came with 6L6s, given a choice I would have picked EL34s but I've found it a great amp with my MP-2 live rig. One of our members wanted to do the different tubes on each channel thing and it supports that if you want but IIRC, you then can't use it in bridged mono mode. For what it is (ie a 50w p/ch tube amp), it's significantly lighter than some others (though still heavy, mine has it's own 2 RU rack and I call it the brick LoL. Carvin also spruke that you can use it to drive studio monitors as it's so clean and transparent (as they also do with DCM200L). I haven't tried that application with it but it sure does a good job in a guitar rig :thumb-up: .
You are missing out by not running the MP-1 in stereo, makes a huge difference >:D :thumb-up: . Hey you could sell the Triaxis and either buy half of California or a MP-2 and have lots of change (and a much better sound).
Sorry :facepalm: , not meaning to poo poo the triaxis, if you like the "boogie" sound, all power to you. It will also sound better in stereo :metal:
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Thanks for the input, rnolan :)
Believe me, I'm a stereo guy at heart, but in a live setting I have come to the conclusion that mono is the way to go. As for the choice of the Mesa TriAxis, I love the Petrucci sound - that's what made me buy it. And it requires 6L6's to sound the best. My only gripe with the Tri is how to have it serviced - I live in Norway, and to ship it to the US and back will probably cost me about half of California. It's too advanced for a local tech to look at it, so this might be what makes me sell it, eventually - if it starts acting up. Not better off switching to an MP-2 in that regard either....
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Hey radar, a good tech should be able to service it. It's not an easy preamp to work on but on the other hand it's not rocket science.
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Hey rADAr,
the German/EU Mesa Distributor (Meinl) has a qualified service tech, Mr Reinhold Stieglitz. He's been working/servicing MBs since the late 80s/early 90s and has done some maintenance on my old Triaxis before. He defo knows that preamp. Shipping to Germany won't break the bank ;-)
Here's his contact data: reinhold.stieglitz@meinl.de ; you can also call him direct: +49 9161 788-181
I can highly recommend him when it comes to more sophisticated work like on the Trix
SC
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Thanks a lot for the info on the German Mesa service Tech, SC :banana-skipping-rope-smiley-e
I just read on Mesa's home page that they are not making the TriAxis anymore... Wondering if it would be wise to sell it before it gets too old, because of future lack of spare parts and so on..?
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I wouldn't be to worried about the parts for the triaxis, they don't have any special ic's and the CPU is a Z80 like the MP-1 has. You can still buy these new.
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I wouldn't be to worried about the parts for the triaxis, they don't have any special ic's and the CPU is a Z80 like the MP-1 has. You can still buy these new.
+1
All parts are still readily available. You cannot get the TX4 boards (Ld1 Red Recto) anymore, but if yours is a TX4 equipped Trix the parts on that board are also still available.
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Thanks a lot for your valuable knowledge, MJMP and SC :) I love the sound of the Tri, but the thought about lacking support/spare parts has bugged me. A little more at ease now!