NAD: Mesa Mark VII - the best?

savant421

savant421

Well-known member
Seriously impressed with it so far. And owning an original IIC+, IIC+ RI, JP2C as well as a few older Marks, this could be up there as the best one! And why is no one talking about the VII channel? Sounds unlike anything I've ever heard before, but still somehow retains Mark DNA. Maybe some recto in there? I dunno, all I know is its great and I got it for way under going prices. What a way for Randall to go out! Cheers sir
 
Welcome to the club! I love my Mark III but it's a one trick pony and it does it well! The Mark VII is more versatile tough. No pedals straight in ready to roll. You need to play with the crunch mode that's all I have to say.
 
I would love to try one. I have a IV that sounds really good. I imagine with the VII, I could spend months and months discovering new tones. I like that about the Mark series, as I never get bored. I'm also glad they didn't name it Mark 6, as that would have sounded boring. 7 just sounds better.
 
I had one for a bit and thought it was really sick, big iron like the OGs. Moved on from it cause it had too many options and couldn’t quite get the high end dialed right. Definitely an improvement over the V and belongs in conversations with the IIC+ - IV
 
Congrats, I got a Mk VII last year and still love it, I primarily switch between the IIC+ on channel 3 and the VII on channel 2. I agree on the VII mode it sounds great and the bass knob is even a bit useable.
 
Ceramic Lion said:
I had one for a bit and thought it was really sick, big iron like the OGs. Moved on from it cause it had too many options and couldn’t quite get the high end dialed right. Definitely an improvement over the V and belongs in conversations with the IIC+ - IV
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Big iron power transformer, yes, but running moderate plate voltage like every Mesa since the Mark Iii's. They have to though because of modern tubes. I think that gigantic PT is overkill quite honestly. Probably adds a lot of weight too.
 
anomaly said:
Big iron power transformer, yes, but running moderate plate voltage like every Mesa since the Mark Iii's. They have to though because of modern tubes. I think that gigantic PT is overkill quite honestly. Probably adds a lot of weight too.
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Actually I thought the VII is smaller and lighter than the IIC+ and JP2C
 
mentoneman said:
been a lifelong boogie guy and agree the VII is killer. although not my favorite sound out of it, the IIB mode shocked me at how much it reminded me of my old IIB.
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How would you compare and contrast say, the 2c+ reissue, the VII, and older mark III/IV/V's?

I don't have the means at the moment, but i eventually need to try to do the mark thing again, and it seems that were spoiled for options at the moment
 
anomaly said:
Big iron power transformer, yes, but running moderate plate voltage like every Mesa since the Mark Iii's. They have to though because of modern tubes. I think that gigantic PT is overkill quite honestly. Probably adds a lot of weight too.
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For sure, sounded good but it didn’t do the “thing” like the IIC+ and various IIIs I’ve had. Def a great modern amp though
 
savant421 said:
Seriously impressed with it so far. And owning an original IIC+, IIC+ RI, JP2C as well as a few older Marks, this could be up there as the best one! And why is no one talking about the VII channel? Sounds unlike anything I've ever heard before, but still somehow retains Mark DNA. Maybe some recto in there? I dunno, all I know is its great and I got it for way under going prices. What a way for Randall to go out! Cheers sir
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Love the VII.
 
DanTravis62 said:
How would you compare and contrast say, the 2c+ reissue, the VII, and older mark III/IV/V's?

I don't have the means at the moment, but i eventually need to try to do the mark thing again, and it seems that were spoiled for options at the moment
Click to expand...
great dedicated clean channel, vintage IIB breakup to modern crunch rhythm channel, and modern metal lead channel. it’s like having an updated version of a triaxis in an amp, with the critical to all mark tones added benefit of the real graphic eq.


didn’t spend tons of time with it, nor compare to IIC+ reissue or try to dial in the fusiony mark IV lead stuff with it.

one con:
the earlier marks have a certain density and width to the tones/notes that maybe wasn’t as apparent in the VII. but immediately it sounded more realistic and mark-like than the triaxis/395 that i loved and used for 7-8 years live.
 
mentoneman said:
great dedicated clean channel, vintage IIB breakup to modern crunch rhythm channel, and modern metal lead channel. it’s like having an updated version of a triaxis in an amp, with the critical to all mark tones added benefit of the real graphic eq.


didn’t spend tons of time with it, nor compare to IIC+ reissue or try to dial in the fusiony mark IV lead stuff with it.

one con:
the earlier marks have a certain density and width to the tones/notes that maybe wasn’t as apparent in the VII. but immediately it sounded more realistic and mark-like than the triaxis/395 that i loved and used for 7-8 years live.
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Did you feel this way with the reissue?

Also, pop some vintage Sylvania or Philips 7581a in there.
 
I have mine for some months now, couldnt be happier.

Channel 1 is set to taste, touching nothing
Channel 3 is crushing, the modes are so full sounding
Channel 2 still exploring when i feel like it

Depending on pickups i would choose 2c or mark 4 mode, but man i just cant stop playing it.

I also have a 90w V
Ill keep this, its switching flexibility is a must have and i dig the extreme and crunch here

I couldnt choose between the two as they are very different, they share modes, but sound different
 
From a Marshall and Friedman guy…the VII is unreal

Had no idea how much I’d dig the amp
 
love to try a VII, but they removed one of the best features of the V.
The preset post EQs where great. If you use the crunch channel, the full "V" scoop is too much for my liking.
So i have the Graph EQ just dedicated for channel 3 and the preset EQ on a lil bit on for channel 2. Crunch without the post EQ is a bit too boxy and honky for my taste, if I set up the pre EQ for the best distortion characteristics.
 
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