Mesa 2:100 rectifier power amp...anyone have one? Sound?

[jlbaxe]

Looking at one of these for w/d/w setup. How do the sound? different from VHT 2/90/2, Mesa 2:90 ???

I don't know much about rectifier amps Haven't really seen anyone talking about them, good or bad.

I might add the Rectifier pre amp later

 

[moltenmetalburn]

They sound killer and are hard to find . Power section of a dual rec, try one out thru the fx loop.

A little smaller sounding secondary to smaller iron.

 

[Stone Heavy Sound]

A) Insanely loud!! Basically two heads in one!
B) It's distinct in that it uses 6L6 or el34, easy to swap out with bias switch but I recommend doing so with Mesa power tubes only since Mesa test and grades their own tubes. Bear in mind it does NOT have the "dual" rec feature, only silicon.
C) It has a switchable "Modern" mode, which is basically the ferocious, somewhat fizzy, ballsy tone that the Dual-Rec is known for.
D) Tone wise, it's very tight, heavy low end, best suited for high gain Soldano style preamps (5150, Rec, ENGL, etc.) And best suited for a crushing live rig.
E) VHT is no longer, this is significant in the service that Fryette provides. Without bad mouthing anyone, my guitarist needed tubes for his 2:50:2. The new tubes sounded like crap, he was told they were the same "Russian" tubes used in all their products. Took it to the studio, still sounded like crap. Fryette guy insisted they were the best tubes, suggested preamp issues (CAE 3+) Swapped out the power tubes with my backup set of JJ's, it sounded great again! The tubes that were installed were garbage chinese el34's, worst sounding tubes I've ever heard in my life, and I'm no cork sniffer or anything, just go by ear. Hours upon hours wasted on troubleshooting and driving and phone calls over untested tubes and arrogance. On the flip side, I've purchase Mesa tubes to throw into Marshall and Laney, and they are always phenomenal sounding, tested for quality and tone by Mesa, you never have to re-bias if you stick with Mesa tubes as they all must match.

 

[jlbaxe]

A) Insanely loud!! Basically two heads in one!
B) It's distinct in that it uses 6L6 or el34, easy to swap out with bias switch but I recommend doing so with Mesa power tubes only since Mesa test and grades their own tubes. Bear in mind it does NOT have the "dual" rec feature, only silicon.
C) It has a switchable "Modern" mode, which is basically the ferocious, somewhat fizzy, ballsy tone that the Dual-Rec is known for.
D) Tone wise, it's very tight, heavy low end, best suited for high gain Soldano style preamps (5150, Rec, ENGL, etc.) And best suited for a crushing live rig.
E) VHT is no longer, this is significant in the service that Fryette provides. Without bad mouthing anyone, my guitarist needed tubes for his 2:50:2. The new tubes sounded like crap, he was told they were the same "Russian" tubes used in all their products. Took it to the studio, still sounded like crap. Fryette guy insisted they were the best tubes, suggested preamp issues (CAE 3+) Swapped out the power tubes with my backup set of JJ's, it sounded great again! The tubes that were installed were garbage chinese el34's, worst sounding tubes I've ever heard in my life, and I'm no cork sniffer or anything, just go by ear. Hours upon hours wasted on troubleshooting and driving and phone calls over untested tubes and arrogance. On the flip side, I've purchase Mesa tubes to throw into Marshall and Laney, and they are always phenomenal sounding, tested for quality and tone by Mesa, you never have to re-bias if you stick with Mesa tubes as they all must match.

Thanks I see a few on Evil Bay and want to run "direct out" on my Mk III into delays, Verb etc for Stereo effects.

So is it 100w per side? Geez

I had a Randall RT2/50 great amp
VHT 2/90/2 wasn't impressed, preferred the RT 2/50 over it.
ADA micro 200 I think it had 1 preamp tube not much balls
Several solid state stereo amps 2 Carvin fet1000w, Crown, Art SLA2 etc.

 

[rwarner]

I used to have both the 2:90 and the 2:100 and preferred the 2:100. You can't go wrong. Just make sure it is in clean condition. Good luck !

 

[jlbaxe]

So no biasing tubes? Just buy mesa matched pairs and throw in there? Like my MK III

 

[Stone Heavy Sound]

yeah, that's one of the best qualities of Mesa, they are serious about their tubes! (They actually keep NOS vintage tubes if you have deep pockets and are very picky) For stereo effects as you suggest, sure the power is overkill but you'll have miles of headroom, plus it will offer you some flexibility to tinker with running preamps through it. If weight and size is not an issue, these things are built like a tank and sonically are top of the line.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

If you liked the rt250 better than the 2/90/2 I'd say you prefer power amps with a lot of color. I am the opposite and couldn't wait to dump me mesas once bought some vhts .

Either mesa amp will do it. It's just eh flavor you want.

Also have you used a 100 PA or only 50 watters? The headroom and resulting tone are very different.

The 2:100 is the rectifier power section the 2:90 is the mark series power section.

 

[jlbaxe]

If you liked the rt250 better than the 2/90/2 I'd say you prefer power amps with a lot of color. I am the opposite and couldn't wait to dump me mesas once bought some vhts .

Either mesa amp will do it. It's just eh flavor you want.

Also have you used a 100 PA or only 50 watters? The headroom and resulting tone are very different.

The 2:100 is the rectifier power section the 2:90 is the mark series power section.

I like my Mk III as a power amp just using the effects loop return. Hmmmm Never played a recto

 

[moltenmetalburn]

If you liked the rt250 better than the 2/90/2 I'd say you prefer power amps with a lot of color. I am the opposite and couldn't wait to dump me mesas once bought some vhts .

Either mesa amp will do it. It's just eh flavor you want.

Also have you used a 100 PA or only 50 watters? The headroom and resulting tone are very different.

The 2:100 is the rectifier power section the 2:90 is the mark series power section.

I like my Mk III as a power amp just using the effects loop return. Hmmmm Never played a recto

Then I'd lean toward a 2:90 which can be found anywhere pretty cheap these days.

 

[jlbaxe]

If you liked the rt250 better than the 2/90/2 I'd say you prefer power amps with a lot of color. I am the opposite and couldn't wait to dump me mesas once bought some vhts .

Either mesa amp will do it. It's just eh flavor you want.

Also have you used a 100 PA or only 50 watters? The headroom and resulting tone are very different.

The 2:100 is the rectifier power section the 2:90 is the mark series power section.

I like my Mk III as a power amp just using the effects loop return. Hmmmm Never played a recto

Then I'd lean toward a 2:90 which can be found anywhere pretty cheap these days.

Thanks. Yeah I don't need to spend a ton of money right now Work is SLOW Think I am going for the SLO first