20th Ann. XTC Vs. CAE PT-100

[Bronco]

I think the real question here should be, "20th Ann XTC (with el34's) OR Friedman Marsha. From what I can tell by the soundclips out there, these two amps are closer in gain amount/structure and voicing than most others are. They come out to be about the same price too when you load the Marsha up with all the options.
I'm really having a tough time with this decision. I've been down to these two amps for months now, and I just can't decide! Oh well, that's probably good because I'm broke. I have plenty of time to save up some cash while I choose.

I respectfully disagree; I had the chance to play both the Marsha and the 20th XTC back to back at Tone Merchants -- they are sitting right next to each other in fact.

Both are outstanding amps, but both are completely unique sounding. Marsha has every classic Marshall tone you could want, and the Bogner...well to me, Bogners just sound like Bogners. They just have their own unique sound like all other great amps do. I have a Marsha on the way, and after that the next amp will be the 20th. I think they will compliment each other beautifully, and after playing both back to back like that, the decision was easy for me; I will have both.

I think the better argument is Marsha or PT100 (still prefer Marsha).

 

[se7en]

I think the real question here should be, "20th Ann XTC (with el34's) OR Friedman Marsha. From what I can tell by the soundclips out there, these two amps are closer in gain amount/structure and voicing than most others are. They come out to be about the same price too when you load the Marsha up with all the options.
I'm really having a tough time with this decision. I've been down to these two amps for months now, and I just can't decide! Oh well, that's probably good because I'm broke. I have plenty of time to save up some cash while I choose.

I respectfully disagree; I had the chance to play both the Marsha and the 20th XTC back to back at Tone Merchants -- they are sitting right next to each other in fact.

Both are outstanding amps, but both are completely unique sounding. Marsha has every classic Marshall tone you could want, and the Bogner...well to me, Bogners just sound like Bogners. They just have there own unique sound like all other great amps do. I have a Marsha on the way, and after that the next amp will be the 20th. I think they will copliment each other beautifully, and after playing both back to back like that, the decision was easy for me; I will have both.

I think the better argument is Marsha or PT100 (still prefer Marsha).

That sounds like a killer rig! Marsha and 20th XTC...btw, how did the Marsha compare to the 20th? the clips sound good, but it's nothing like hearing the amp in the room of course. Were you planning on going with 34's or 6l6's on the 20th?

 

[Bronco]

That sounds like a killer rig! Marsha and 20th XTC...btw, how did the Marsha compare to the 20th? the clips sound good, but it's nothing like hearing the amp in the room of course. Were you planning on going with 34's or 6l6's on the 20th?

You know, I really wasn't 'comparing' them; they just happened to be right next to each other. At the time I already had my Uber (which I love), and after reading Ventura's review I just knew I had to try one out. This 20th had EL34s (if I remember; went to A LOT of stores that weekend ). I mean, I suppose you could dial in a 20th to sound similar to a Marsha, but to me that's defeating the purpose, especially when the Bogner does what it does so well -- the rich, thick blooming mids and the absurd definition even when dimed on the red channel. To me, they are just two totally different amps...which is why I want both, lol. I will definitely be ordering it with EL 34s too.

So to answer your question , since I was tyring each amp at what I thought were it's ideal settings, I really think its like comparing apples and oranges. But to me, each amp handles beautifully...great definition, feel, both are very musical!

 

[Nico]

Yes the Marsha seems like an amazing amp, and actually its one of my future amps ( I hope) I have a list of 3. 20th XTC, PT-100 & Marsha.

Its hard to know people who have tried them, and I believe there aren't too many good samples exploring all of these amps capabilities. People who have them don't demo them. Anyway since I already have a Diezel Einstein, I don't know which of these amps would complement the Diezel the most...

By the way from clips on the internet the Marsha and PT sound the best. There aren't really good clips of the Bogner, at least that I've found.

 

[supersonic]

All 3 amps are top shelf. You need to ask yourself what tones suit you best. Personally I love my 100B and will never sell it (I have also played a Classic, 101b and 20th). I owned a OD 100 for a year and could never bond with it, the CAA stuff just doesn't bond with ME. Although I've never played a Marsha, I have one on order and will pick it up in a month. The clips I've heard of the Marsha have realy impressed me.

 

[Bronco]

All 3 amps are top shelf. You need to ask yourself what tones suit you best. Personally I love my 100B and will never sell it (I have also played a Classic, 101b and 20th). I owned a OD 100 for a year and could never bond with it, the CAA stuff just doesn't bond with ME. Although I've never played a Marsha, I have one on order and will pick it up in a month. The clips I've heard of the Marsha have realy impressed me.

How would you say the 100B, 101B, Classic, and 20the all compare?

 

[supersonic]

All 3 amps are top shelf. You need to ask yourself what tones suit you best. Personally I love my 100B and will never sell it (I have also played a Classic, 101b and 20th). I owned a OD 100 for a year and could never bond with it, the CAA stuff just doesn't bond with ME. Although I've never played a Marsha, I have one on order and will pick it up in a month. The clips I've heard of the Marsha have realy impressed me.

How would you say the 100B, 101B, Classic, and 20the all compare?

Pretty much what everyone says. The 100B is the most aggressive. The 20th is similar but more compressed, thicker, has more options, and a better clean ch. The Classic is also similar to the 100B but not quite as open/organic and doesn't quite have the mojo or aggression. The 101 is a different beast to the others, less "classic rock" the most compressed, and least dynamic. Theyre all great, just different flavors.

 

[Ventura]

All 3 amps are top shelf. You need to ask yourself what tones suit you best. Personally I love my 100B and will never sell it (I have also played a Classic, 101b and 20th). I owned a OD 100 for a year and could never bond with it, the CAA stuff just doesn't bond with ME. Although I've never played a Marsha, I have one on order and will pick it up in a month. The clips I've heard of the Marsha have realy impressed me.

How would you say the 100B, 101B, Classic, and 20the all compare?

Pretty much what everyone says. The 100B is the most aggressive. The 20th is similar but more compressed, thicker, has more options, and a better clean ch. The Classic is also similar to the 100B but not quite as open/organic and doesn't quite have the mojo or aggression. The 101 is a different beast to the others, less "classic rock" the most compressed, and least dynamic. Theyre all great, just different flavors.

With EL34's the 20thA is equally aggressive - yes, a bit compressed at the 7 o'clock to 10 o'clock volume range, but past that? Totally blossoming and dynamic with immense attack, articulation, and feel.

Ya ya, I'm biased, for sure I am, but I did all the research and checking before going headlong into the purchase and it's not let me down. It kicks ass - period. And does so with such authority, I am uncertain as to what other amps could compare to it on a "versatility at best" basis. Sure, there are heavier amps out there, there are looser amps out there, grainier amps, crunchier amps, but for the most part, all those aforementioned amps are there due to their "one trick pony'ness". The 20thA comes along and says "I can do that, that and that equally as good, if not better, but I can also do all this too" and THAT'S what sets it apart from the others.

Just my 4 cents.

V.