Choosing a power amp

[dstine]

Hello everyone...I just purchased an M4 to replace a Marshall 6100 that died on me. I still have to track down some modules (I'm trying to get a clean/crunch & heavy gain for now)...I'm trying to get a power amp too...

I have seen that a lot of you guys use or have used M4s, so my question is this: do you have any suggestions for a power amp? I'm used to having an all-tube setup (I had a Rebel before the 6100...I gave it up for more power), so would a solid-state power amp be a waste of time/money? I've been looking a little into a Marshall EL34, a Mesa 50/50 (or 2:50), and a VHT 2:50:2 (all used). I'm open to any suggestions you guys have!

Thanks for any input!

 

[eddiespaghetty]

Hi,

I'm just in the same situation - recieved my M4 yesterday, have one module yet (SL) and no poweramp. I would throw in as one more option Randall's RT2/50.
I'd love to hear your opinions and experiences about those poweramps as well.

eddie

 

[guitarslinger]

Aeroic says the Randall RT2/50 is the best, and he's owned pretty much everything.

I currently use a VHT 2150, which I think is the best.

Don't get the Mesa 2:fifty. It has a scooped, weak sound. I hated it.

Marshall power amps are awesome, IMO. Raw, powerful, and punchy.

Solid state wouldn't be my first choice, but don't rule out a tubeworks or a rocktron velocity 300 or something.

 

[eddiespaghetty]

I currently use a VHT 2150, which I think is the best.

It is pretty big and heavy, isn't it? It is not built anymore?

eddie

 

[Anonymous]

I use a Rivera TBR5. I would highly recommend a tube power amp. Other than that it really depends on what you need. When I made my decision I wanted to make sure I would never need more power. I want to go head to head with Gene's 2150 though big time!

 

[muudrock]

+1 on the RT 2/50. I love that power amp. Switchable channels with different tubes on each channel.
I borrowed a VHT 2/90/2 for a week and compared it to the Randall. The VHT is nice, but didn't sound better. In fact, I liked the Randall a little better for the M4.

I would say though that the 2150 would probably kill. But, expensive and heavy!

 

[guitarslinger]

I use a Rivera TBR5. I would highly recommend a tube power amp. Other than that it really depends on what you need. When I made my decision I wanted to make sure I would never need more power. I want to go head to head with Gene's 2150 though big time!

I guess we'll see in a few weeks.

(Actually, the TBR-5 has more power than the 2150, like a LOT more, like four more 6550's.

I can always bring my TBR-2SL though. )

 

[jlbaxe]

I have 2 RT2/50's in my rack. Best amp I have ever owned. You can use any tubes in it you want, Bias it from the front, easy tube changes, switch ch A to ch B for tube and or switch out to different cabs. So that makes it the most versatile amp out there and oh! just brings out the tones in the M4 to die for. I also run a Carvin Quad X through one and that sounds killer. So it works great with other pre amps.

 

[eddiespaghetty]

Can the RT2/50 keep up withe the VHT/Fryette 2/50/2 tone/soundwise?

Cheers
eddie

 

[jmgman69]

RT2/50

 

[aeroic]

Can the RT2/50 keep up withe the VHT/Fryette 2/50/2 tone/soundwise?

Cheers
eddie

The RT2/50 smokes the 2/50/2...and is on par w/ the VHT 2/90/2 as tone is concerned. The 2150, I agree with Gene, is still my "bar" for power amps. That thing is just unreal. But 4-rack spaces and friggin heavy to boot, I decided against keeping mine.

The RT2/50 for me, is just awesome sounding...and w/ having the bias in the front..and not having to unrack the unit to change tubes is just plain awesome.

Eric

 

[eddiespaghetty]

Can the RT2/50 keep up withe the VHT/Fryette 2/50/2 tone/soundwise?

Cheers
eddie

The RT2/50 smokes the 2/50/2...and is on par w/ the VHT 2/90/2 as tone is concerned. The 2150, I agree with Gene, is still my "bar" for power amps. That thing is just unreal. But 4-rack spaces and friggin heavy to boot, I decided against keeping mine.

The RT2/50 for me, is just awesome sounding...and w/ having the bias in the front..and not having to unrack the unit to change tubes is just plain awesome.

Eric

Well, there is just a 2150 on ebay, but I looked at the pictures and was really scared - sooo huge and sooo heavieeee!
That is too much to carry around.
RT2/50 has wonderful features , but I was wondering, if the 2/50/2 is the better sounding preamp. Evidently the RT2/50 is as good as.

eddie

 

[aeroic]

Can the RT2/50 keep up withe the VHT/Fryette 2/50/2 tone/soundwise?

Cheers
eddie

The RT2/50 smokes the 2/50/2...and is on par w/ the VHT 2/90/2 as tone is concerned. The 2150, I agree with Gene, is still my "bar" for power amps. That thing is just unreal. But 4-rack spaces and friggin heavy to boot, I decided against keeping mine.

The RT2/50 for me, is just awesome sounding...and w/ having the bias in the front..and not having to unrack the unit to change tubes is just plain awesome.

Eric

Well, there is just a 2150 on ebay, but I looked at the pictures and was really scared - sooo huge and sooo heavieeee!
That is too much to carry around.
RT2/50 has wonderful features , but I was wondering, if the 2/50/2 is the better sounding preamp. Evidently the RT2/50 is as good as.

eddie

I've owned them all....and my pics in tone / versatility is definitely the RT2/50. I didn't like the 2/50/2 as much as the 2/90/2. And the RT2/50 is on par w/ any VHT I've owned tonally for sure...well minus the VHT 2100 and 2150.

Eric

 

[dstine]

Thanks for all of the replies! I forgot to mention the rt2-50 in my list. I've seen that a lot of RM4 users use those also.

Thanks guitarslinger for mentioning that the Mesas are scooped. I was wondering about that...that's definitely not the sound I'm after.

 

[aeroic]

Thanks for all of the replies! I forgot to mention the rt2-50 in my list. I've seen that a lot of RM4 users use those also.

Thanks guitarslinger for mentioning that the Mesas are scooped. I was wondering about that...that's definitely not the sound I'm after.

I agree with Gene on the 50/50. I HATED that power amp...was definitely the worst of any I've ever tried.

 

[Anonymous]

I guess we'll see in a few weeks.

(Actually, the TBR-5 has more power than the 2150, like a LOT more, like four more 6550's.

I can always bring my TBR-2SL though. )

Yeah Paul Jr. talked me out of the 6550's. He said that it sounds more like a guitar amp with the EL34's. So I'm running at 120w per channel. I do plan to run one of the channels with another type of power tube (5881, KT88/90/100, 6550, etc.) eventually.

I'm looking forward to 8/1. Dude I'd love to hear the 2-SL if your back can take it. We should do a super rendition of Around The World In 30 Days.

 

[bruce egnater]

You guys know we designed the RT2/50 for Randall...right?

 

[jmgman69]

You guys know we designed the RT2/50 for Randall...right?

Is that why your name is all over the inside?

 

[eddiespaghetty]

You guys know we designed the RT2/50 for Randall...right?

That means it works well with the M4?

eddie

 

[jlbaxe]

You guys know we designed the RT2/50 for Randall...right?

Yep that's why I bought 2 of them...