ENGL E530 any good? Any alternatives?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rex Rocker
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Rex Rocker
Rex Rocker
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I've got the itch for a tube head again. I've been using my Helix through headphones for the longest, but I'm missing that visceral experience of cranking tubes through actual speakers.

I originally inteded to build a home setup (I don't play out, unfortunately) around my HX to give it some tube warmth. I got a cheapie Mooer 20W tube poweramp and a Krank 1x12 that I loaded a Celestion Gold into. I realize it's not a full-on 100W 4x12 setup, but it's going to have to do for now. But I wouldn't mind cranking some actual tubes in the preamp through there just for the sake of feeling a full-tube mini setup.

I've been considering the ENGL E530, but I don't really know what it's like. The clips make it sound very modern and without a need for a boost, which I dig. Is it comparable to anything else? I don't have experience with anythingh ENGL... is it anything like a 5150? Modded Marshall?

Also... what other tube alternatives are out there as far as rack-mountable preamps? I don't need multiple channels (though it's nice to have them, I guess) and I'd prefer it to be rack mountable. I intend to use it to play Swedish Melodeath and that sort of stuff, but I also like me some KSE-type of tones. I have a few boosts at hand too, so I don't mind it needing a boost. My favorite amp that I've played and left at home when I moved was the EVH 5150III, but I wouldn't mind trying something different out.

Thanks!
 
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^ This.

Modular amps and preamps. The branded ones were designed by the actual manufacturer and sound a good 97% to the actual amp. Even have a Savage and Powerball module since you're interested in ENGL. I have both of those and they sound really good
 
Man, here's the deal as far as I'm concerned. Tube amps are #1. Tube preamps are #2. Kemper & Fractal are #3. Then there's all the rest, with an occasional gem here and there.
Tube preamp, however, aren't always easy to make sound good. I've heard some really awesome tube preamp rigs though and would probably build a nice one if I had money to throw at it.
As for the Engle preamp, it's a great piece of gear. It's very versatile. However, you need to keep in mind that you must want the Engl sound if you're going to get one. It's like the Mesa Boogie Triaxis, another awesome preamp, but you have to want that Mesa Boogie sound if you're gonna get one. Tube preamp aren't like modelers which give you all kinds of rigs. As versatile as they can be, it's always a pretty specific kind of tone.
I love the E530, and like the Triaxis, it's a shame they stopped making them. If you can grab one, get it. They sound great. Clean and crunch tones are surprisingly good.
 
MistaGuitah said:
Man, here's the deal as far as I'm concerned. Tube amps are #1. Tube preamps are #2. Kemper & Fractal are #3. Then there's all the rest, with an occasional gem here and there.
Tube preamp, however, aren't always easy to make sound good. I've heard some really awesome tube preamp rigs though and would probably build a nice one if I had money to throw at it.
As for the Engle preamp, it's a great piece of gear. It's very versatile. However, you need to keep in mind that you must want the Engl sound if you're going to get one. It's like the Mesa Boogie Triaxis, another awesome preamp, but you have to want that Mesa Boogie sound if you're gonna get one. Tube preamp aren't like modelers which give you all kinds of rigs. As versatile as they can be, it's always a pretty specific kind of tone.
I love the E530, and like the Triaxis, it's a shame they stopped making them. If you can grab one, get it. They sound great. Clean and crunch tones are surprisingly good.
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But what is the ENGL sound? I understand it's going to be that one sound, but if I can make it work, I'll be happy. As long as it's not something like a JCM900 or one of those low-end deprived style of amps, I'll be happy.
 
Thank you all for the replies! Gonna look into the Synergy stuff.
 
E530 is a nice preamp. I have one and like it. It doesn't need any boosting. Engl distortion is a bit 'colder' than i.e. Marshall. If the price is good, I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.
 
+1 for Synergy. I have an Egnater M4 and a Randall RT2/50, running Synergy modules. Even though I think the Synergy modules are voiced for their more neutral SYN5050 power amp, I prefer a less neutral power amp like the RT2/50.
 
How is the Peavey Rockmaster? And the JMP-1?

Also, anyone gotten to try the Myasnikov stuff?
 
I had one that I got on the cheap years ago, and liked it pretty well.

At the time I was going to put together a rack setup, as a back-up live rig, and it just never panned out.
 
I had one years ago and it was good, definitely in the Savage/Blackmore family. And it cost about the same used as a Synergy Engl module.

I have a SYN1 but I'd totally own a E530 again instead buying a Synergy Engl module.
 
The E530 can get a wide range of usable tones, much depends on your power amp, cabs, speakers.

Many years ago when I was looking for my hi gain amp, I considered Diezel, Fortin, among others; what I got was an Engl rack rig, new, which I still have to this day: E530 tube preamp, E850/100 tube power amp, and a pair of V30 loaded PRO E212VHB cabs.

Pairing the E530 with an EL34 power amp, and greenback loaded cabs should get you into Marshall Super Lead / '70s and close to JCM800 - though I haven't tried either.

Many amps have come and gone, and I recently put this Engl rig up for sale but took it down, it's a keeper for me. Best cleans, crunches and more hi gain saturation than I'd ever need. FWIW, I also still have my ADA MP-2 from back in the day, and Mesa TriAxis with Phat Mod I purchased from another rigtalker several years ago...the E530 is the one I use.
 

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E530 is one of those pres that seem decent until you have to be in the room with a rhythm guitarist using literally any other amp, and then suddenly you won’t hear yourself without obnoxious amount of volume. Just has no midrange presence, even with two kid knobs… pretty common with Engl, tbh. Savage is pretty good though.
 
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