Difference between XTC and Shiva

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Everyonesdarling

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Can anyone help here with 1. hand experience. Which amp for what. What exactly is the difference between the 20th Shiva and XTC, which one do you prefer and why. My impression so far: Shiva is a hell of an amp but the XTC is hard to beat.
Where does one amp excel over the other? Thanks for every input. Mo did you get your 20th Shiva already?
 
Shiva has more of a focused JCM800 tone, while the Ecstasy had a wider, more Plexi like tone. They're both amazing amps, I'm just more of an XTC guy.
 
I have both and currently have the xtc classic and the 20th shiva (see pic below) Shiva has the very organic and woody cleans and a nice warm marshally overdrive that is very mid focused. The 20th shiva with kts is a very nice glassier clean but not quit as 'round' as the original shiva. The gain channel and options are ungodly. Its very refined, much more hi-fi and tonally balanced, as opposed the the big mid spike of the reg. shiva. Im not saying its better but its way more aggressive. The mode switch gives it some huge thump too. So the 20th shiva is a more modern voiced amp. The reg. Shiva more vintage marshall tone with an amazing clean.

The xtc is a 3 channel beast. The clean on the xtc is so-so. I didnt think it was all that bad but a lot of people harp on it. If you crank the volume to max and then use the gain as your volume I think it sound good. The xtc classic clean is very nice. Almost as good as the shiva clean. almost. The blue channel, channel 2, is heavenly. I think its best on the 101b but its amazing on the classic as well. Its more open on the classic but the 101b just has more raw grit IMO. Either amp will blow you away on channel 2. For most people its worth the price of admission on the xtc. The third channel, the red channel, is way underrated IMO. If you take the time to really play and tweak you can find some amazing tone. It can be brutal, it can be articulate with sustain for days - for soloing, and it can be dialed back for some gritty classic rock tone.

The xtc has a few more bells on it and the 20th version of xtc and shivas will have even more. I've played too many amps and these 2 are the top of the pyramid IMO. Hope that helps.
 
Your comments are very much appreciated! Thanks a lot for the help. Didn`t actually make the decision which one to take especially easier but since i have two Fender custom Strat`s om my way + a Bogner 2x12 cab (not the oversized one- really looks beautiful) i wait a little bit and test the amps myself as soon as my bank account allows it. Guess i can`t go wrong with either one.
Cheers Andy
 
They are very similar. I actually have a PWE Event Horizon, which to me and lots of others, sounds a lot like an XTC but has much better touch sensitivity than the XTC.
 
richedie":3asdo9l7 said:
They are very similar. I actually have a PWE Event Horizon, which to me and lots of others, sounds a lot like an XTC but has much better touch sensitivity than the XTC.
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While I agree the pwe may have a bit more touch sensitivity they do not have the rich tone of the xtc. Not even close IMO. Bogners have much more flavor to them. So I disagree there.
 
CAGE MATCH!!!!

cagematch.jpg
 
I may have to try a Shiva again because when I played one (old manager had it in our store) it was cold and had none of that Bogner bite to it when cranked on either channel. Granted the cleans were amazing.

Someone help me because I want to go for round two haha.
 
Shiva is much more treble-oriented, and stiffer. Xtc is more compressed and smoother, fatter. If you want a bogner but are a Marshall fan, shiv does great. If you want a tone only bogner can produce, with the ability of a plexi mode as a bonus, XTC wins.
 
fatbagg":1tlvna8o said:
Shiva is much more treble-oriented, and stiffer. Xtc is more compressed and smoother, fatter. If you want a bogner but are a Marshall fan, shiv does great. If you want a tone only bogner can produce, with the ability of a plexi mode as a bonus, XTC wins.
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After hearing clips of XTC's, I decided it was more of my thing. To me they sound more consistent than a Shiva.
 
rlord1974":ms8hnqft said:
CAGE MATCH!!!!

cagematch.jpg
Click to expand...
:hys:

The XTC is Reinholds claim to fame. The XTC is to Bogner what the VH4 is to Diezel. It's what started and ended the tone search for many. Owning a 20thA-XTC (EL34), I simply cannot grow tired of its tone. It's really really over-the-top juicy and lush. And it gets gnarly and chewy like none other. That said, sure, I'm still floating my boat on getting a 20th Sheevs or the regular model, but 1st foot in, glad I went the XTC route. It's a keeper - and by far one of my most played amps in the stockpile.
 
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