opinions on these poweramp options

[El Chiguete]

So I decided to stop beeing a girly and get a mens poweramp! LOL

I want something to pair it up with my MP-1 for a kickass tone! Now here are the options:

A) Mesa 2:95: class A EL34 tubes plus added power of 6L6 but can be run independently that a forum bro is offering one to me at a killer price!
B) Marshall EL34 100/100: a friend hasnt used it in 6 years and he let me borrow it, probably I could convince him on selling it but no idea on what price he would ask... also I need to have my tech look at it because it has some issues that could maybe be jus the tubes going bad
C) Mesa 2:90: it comes with 6L6 tubes but can be changed to EL34,,, BUT it needs fixing and the owner didnt want to spend money on it because he doesnt use it that much anymore

So what are your oppinions on these amps? Forget about the part that 2 of them probably need fixing (one FOR SURE) but if you would be looking for a poweramp that will give you all the color that the EL34 give (not looking for a transparent amp tone) what would you choose?

Also, if you have anything good or bad to say about them please tell. I've heard that those Marshalls might give problems from time to time but I really have no experience on them. And as far as components I don't know anything about them but I only see "upgrade mods" on the Marshall and never on the Mesas... so whats up with that? LOL

[Systematic Chaos]

No need to mod or upgrade a 295!
Man, that's THE poweramp! I wish they'd still make them!
More than one could ever want or need. The 295 IS LEGEND!!!

[El Chiguete]

Well thats +1 point por the 2:95 lol

[MarshallJMP]

If you want a marshall tube power amp go for the 9005 sounds a lot better then those mono blocks.

[El Chiguete]

If you want a marshall tube power amp go for the 9005 sounds a lot better then those mono blocks.

Yeha I'm on the lookout of one but haven't found one :(

[MarshallJMP]

Yeah these a re a bit hard to find,but they sound really good,out guitar player has the 9005 and a 9200 ,a world of difference.

[El Chiguete]

Wow on another forum someone is offering my a Peavey 60/60 rack poweramp FREE and I would just have to pay for shipping... don't know if they can use or be modded to use EL34s or no.

It's a hard decision because the Mesa 2:95 a member here is offering is THE poweramp to have and be done with it and never have to think of another poweramp ever... and now I get this offer....

[MarshallJMP]

Well i would go for the 2:95 with the options you have now.

Isn't that"free" amp to good to be true?

[rnolan]

Mmm free power amp ? what are they after ? Is the Messa a EL34 amp ?  I thought boogie were mostly a 6L6 shop ?

A nice "new" Carvin TS100 with EL34s (they take either 6L6 or EL34s) and change the phase splitters' to a 12AT7s (so you get a bit of poweramp distortion/colour) could be your perfect amp ?

[Systematic Chaos]

Since EC wants poweramp coloration the 295 is the way to go. Either 34s, 6L6s, both in SimulClass or each channel with a different type....The 295 delivers

[El Chiguete]

Mmm free power amp ? what are they after ? Is the Messa a EL34 amp ?  I thought boogie were mostly a 6L6 shop ?

The 2:95 has both EL34 and 6L6 and you can choose only the EL34 in Class A at 30watts or both together at 95watts!!!

[El Chiguete]

Isn't that"free" amp to good to be true?

I think the same BUT he says he has two and don't use either anymore because he has moved to using amps and pedals instead of racks.

[El Chiguete]

Ok so for the last couple of days I've been testing the Marshall EL34 100/100 and for sure at least his tubes are somewhat bad: one side has a nice presence tone but has less volume, and the other side it has less presence but it's louder... I deffinetly like the side that overall has less volume but it really has the shimmering tone that you look for in Marshalls!

So my question is: does the Mesa 2:95 get that tone too with its EL34 tubes? does it add that color to the tone?

[MarshallJMP]

What voicing did you use on the marshall,there are 2?

[El Chiguete]

What voicing did you use on the marshall,there are 2?

Well I was using voicing A most of the times but there lies another "issue" on that poweramp, the different voicings are not working correctly because not allways the LED turned on when changing between them and also one side sounded different than the other.