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Let's Get Technical => Power Amp Tech => Topic started by: El Chiguete on March 24, 2014, 11:42:32 AM

Title: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: El Chiguete on March 24, 2014, 11:42:32 AM
So what would you guys says is a better description of a Microtube 100 power amp, is it a transparent amp or colors your tone?

The reason I ask is because I was thinking of using it one day to amplify the tone in this order (similar to what EVH did):

1) line out from amp after power section
2) effects
3) transparent power amp to guitar speaker cabinet
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: GuitarBuilder on March 24, 2014, 10:12:23 PM
Color - very pleasing, but color nevertheless.
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: rnolan on April 04, 2014, 05:59:52 AM
Hey El Chiguete, I had one for a little while, (Dante has it now, and I assume it's doing well (Dante??)), it's a US version and I ran it on a step down tranny (Oz).  Was never great for me, didn't seem to be happy on the SD tranny, hummed a bit...; but more to your question, it does colour the tone, yes a bit but not in a bad way, kind of warm transparent (hopefully no to much of an oxymoron), the B200s though, you just don't notice it's there (apart from being very loud (if you want  >:D )).
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: Dante on April 04, 2014, 02:09:23 PM
I don't have it anymore, but I do have way too many frickin amps right now.

I seem to remember the MT-100 being a bit warmer than most SS Amps, so yes, some color. Nothing that couldn't be dealt with, or even preferred.

I like my MT-200 the best (I think) but I cannot part with the T100s (even though it weighs more than my car)
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: McLeanAB on April 05, 2014, 08:50:21 AM
I had one for a while too... didn't notice the "color" until I started running my Engl e530 1.5 on board power amp.  THEN it seemed very colored.  Not in a bad way, just not solid state in your face color.  The Rocktron Velocity I had (SS) was much "clearer" and transparent.  Again, I liked the Microtube, but I just prefer the sound of a solid state amp.
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: rnolan on April 06, 2014, 06:47:00 AM
I don't have it anymore, but I do have way too many frickin amps right now.
I seem to remember the MT-100 being a bit warmer than most SS Amps, so yes, some color. Nothing that couldn't be dealt with, or even preferred.
I like my MT-200 the best (I think) but I cannot part with the T100s (even though it weighs more than my car)
Hy Dante, T100s ? do tell, what is it ? (e.g. is it a Carvin TS100 ? great poweramp BTW, I love mine...kicks ass !!!)
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: rnolan on April 06, 2014, 06:53:34 AM
My fav amp for MP1/MP2 is the B200S, bestb amp ever IMHO, next I'd go the Carvin TS100s,  very heavy (to lift), great, clean, very transparent (in slightly mmmm) a tube way ?))
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: Dante on April 09, 2014, 03:16:48 PM
I don't have it anymore, but I do have way too many frickin amps right now.
I seem to remember the MT-100 being a bit warmer than most SS Amps, so yes, some color. Nothing that couldn't be dealt with, or even preferred.
I like my MT-200 the best (I think) but I cannot part with the T100s (even though it weighs more than my car)
Hy Dante, T100s ? do tell, what is it ? (e.g. is it a Carvin TS100 ? great poweramp BTW, I love mine...kicks ass !!!)

No man, it's an ADA T100s. I'll dig up some information for you
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: rnolan on April 09, 2014, 06:23:56 PM
Cool, thanks Dante
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: Dante on April 10, 2014, 10:30:31 AM
A bit about the T100s:

It's a true tube amp using a pair of EL34s per channel in a push-pull circuit. It uses a solid state regulated power supply.

It fits in 2 standard rack spaces and is cooled via an internal fan so the amp may be mounted between other rack pieces.

It uses 1/4 inch input and output jacks on each channel.

Schematics are available in the Vault (http://adadepot.com/index.php?topic=148.0)
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: rnolan on April 10, 2014, 09:59:57 PM
I remember it now, IIRC it was ADA's only all tube power amp offering?  My Carvin TS100 is pretty much the a more recent version of the same thing (though has EL34 of 6L6 option mine came with 6L6) great amp, but weighs a ton.
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: Dante on April 10, 2014, 10:33:28 PM
Mine weighs more than my car
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: rnolan on April 11, 2014, 12:22:28 AM
Hwy Dante, Sound like the T100s is even heavier than the Carvin TS100, probably/maybe due to newer transformers being a bit lighter ? as the both have 3 ( 1 x power, 2 x output).  Audiofiles like the older transformers (when they can get them) as they were better made (allegedly).
BTW RandallRG (Steve) needs a power amp if you wanted to send any of yours to a good home ?
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: Dante on April 11, 2014, 08:21:33 AM
I think the amp weighs about 45-50 pounds...about as much as a combo. I have it housed in a 4u SKB roto rack (very light when empty) with my MP-2 and the (new) GX-700.

The 4u rack weighs in at 60 pounds!! (according to the bathroom scale) And that is why I do NOT carry this thing anywhere anymore. In an emergency, sure, but I don't use any amps/speakers now, so it is my home rig. (wait ten minutes, that'll probably change  :lol: )

Looks like I may need to split this thread into the T100s board  :P
Title: Re: Microtube 100 colors your tone or is transparent?
Post by: rnolan on April 11, 2014, 11:23:51 PM
Wow that's heavy, the Carvin TS100 is 25 pounds, so about half the T100s, spliting the post is a good idea  :thumb-up: