NAD - Randall Diavlo RD45H, (AGAIN!!)

[napalmdeath]

I LOVE these amps! Dark, yet articulate, and harmonically rich. Many don't give it much of a chance, but if you upgrade the tubes, it's a different beast! I put a Tungsol in V1, an NOS GE 12AX7 in V2, Mullard CV4004 in V3, and a balanced JJ ECC83S in the PI, and it sings!


So underrated, sleeper of an amp! I've had this amp side by side with a 5150 III 50 watt twice, and it sent the EVH packing, both times.
I almost ordered another EVH, but remembered how much better the Randall was, and grabbed another one. I'm selling the Yeti!

 

[maddnotez]

Nice. Never got to try one of these. Congrats, seems like a killer little amp.

 

[napalmdeath]

Nice. Never got to try one of these. Congrats, seems like a killer little amp.

It is, for sure.

 

[Mailman1971]

Dude you've been on a roll with New gear these past few months! Cant keep up!
Congrats!

 

[napalmdeath]

Dude you've been on a roll with New gear these past few months! Cant keep up!
Congrats!

Yes, obsessive compulsive lately, I'm hoping to curb that, once the Yeti is sold.

 

[1meanplexi]

I LOVE these amps! Dark, yet articulate, and harmonically rich. Many don't give it much of a chance, but if you upgrade the tubes, it's a different beast! I put a Tungsol in V1, an NOS GE 12AX7 in V2, Mullard CV4004 in V3, and a balanced JJ ECC83S in the PI, and it sings!


So underrated, sleeper of an amp! I've had this amp side by side with a 5150 III 50 watt twice, and it sent the EVH packing, both times.
I almost ordered another EVH, but remembered how much better the Randall was, and grabbed another one. I'm selling the Yeti!

Yup!!!!

Just picked up a new RD-100. Great amp....I did your suggested cocktail of the pre's Less the GE and whew!!!!

 

[napalmdeath]

I LOVE these amps! Dark, yet articulate, and harmonically rich. Many don't give it much of a chance, but if you upgrade the tubes, it's a different beast! I put a Tungsol in V1, an NOS GE 12AX7 in V2, Mullard CV4004 in V3, and a balanced JJ ECC83S in the PI, and it sings!


So underrated, sleeper of an amp! I've had this amp side by side with a 5150 III 50 watt twice, and it sent the EVH packing, both times.
I almost ordered another EVH, but remembered how much better the Randall was, and grabbed another one. I'm selling the Yeti!

Yup!!!!

Just picked up a new RD-100. Great amp....I did your suggested cocktail of the pre's Less the GE and whew!!!!

Just a Tungsol in V1 is a huge upgrade.

Mine came with Ruby short-bottle 6L6's, which aren't bad tubes, but JJ's will ultimately go in. I love their 6L6's.

 

[311splawndude]

*fixed*

Yes, obsessive compulsive lately, I'm hoping to curb that, once I get a Splawn Competition.

Congrats on the Diavlo. Would love to try one.

 

[MYLILSS]

Congrats on the new amp ! If I have some of my stuff move, I’ll be snagging that yeti from you. I got the JSX modded and buttoned up last night. It was a beast before, but bowman it flat out kills ! I need to get my modded Marshall tone fix now haha

 

[riffermadness]

I LOVE these amps! Dark, yet articulate, and harmonically rich. Many don't give it much of a chance, but if you upgrade the tubes, it's a different beast! I put a Tungsol in V1, an NOS GE 12AX7 in V2, Mullard CV4004 in V3, and a balanced JJ ECC83S in the PI, and it sings!


So underrated, sleeper of an amp! I've had this amp side by side with a 5150 III 50 watt twice, and it sent the EVH packing, both times.
I almost ordered another EVH, but remembered how much better the Randall was, and grabbed another one. I'm selling the Yeti!

Yup!!!!

Just picked up a new RD-100. Great amp....I did your suggested cocktail of the pre's Less the GE and whew!!!!

Just a Tungsol in V1 is a huge upgrade.

Mine came with Ruby short-bottle 6L6's, which aren't bad tubes, but JJ's will ultimately go in. I love their 6L6's.

I had one last year and I put in some Groove Tubes 5881's in it and it was so punchy and mean it was awesome..the tubes were rated a 6..way better than some JJ's I put in it.

 

[napalmdeath]

I LOVE these amps! Dark, yet articulate, and harmonically rich. Many don't give it much of a chance, but if you upgrade the tubes, it's a different beast! I put a Tungsol in V1, an NOS GE 12AX7 in V2, Mullard CV4004 in V3, and a balanced JJ ECC83S in the PI, and it sings!


So underrated, sleeper of an amp! I've had this amp side by side with a 5150 III 50 watt twice, and it sent the EVH packing, both times.
I almost ordered another EVH, but remembered how much better the Randall was, and grabbed another one. I'm selling the Yeti!

Yup!!!!

Just picked up a new RD-100. Great amp....I did your suggested cocktail of the pre's Less the GE and whew!!!!

Just a Tungsol in V1 is a huge upgrade.

Mine came with Ruby short-bottle 6L6's, which aren't bad tubes, but JJ's will ultimately go in. I love their 6L6's.

I had one last year and I put in some Groove Tubes 5881's in it and it was so punchy and mean it was awesome..the tubes were rated a 6..way better than some JJ's I put in it.

I'd be leery of 5881's. They typically don't work for higher plate voltages, but maybe the GT's had some design changes to do so, depending on who's brand they relabeled..

I'm putting JJ 6L6's in it tomorrow. Rubys never did it for me - there's a reason why so many amp builders use them. They say tone, but they're the cheapest Chinese tubes they can get their hands on. Their preamp tube pins are the cheapest, flimsiest pieces of shit on the market. They break, and bend up into a pretzel with little to no effort. JUNK.

 

[Racerxrated]

I LOVE these amps! Dark, yet articulate, and harmonically rich. Many don't give it much of a chance, but if you upgrade the tubes, it's a different beast! I put a Tungsol in V1, an NOS GE 12AX7 in V2, Mullard CV4004 in V3, and a balanced JJ ECC83S in the PI, and it sings!


So underrated, sleeper of an amp! I've had this amp side by side with a 5150 III 50 watt twice, and it sent the EVH packing, both times.
I almost ordered another EVH, but remembered how much better the Randall was, and grabbed another one. I'm selling the Yeti!

Yup!!!!

Just picked up a new RD-100. Great amp....I did your suggested cocktail of the pre's Less the GE and whew!!!!

Just a Tungsol in V1 is a huge upgrade.

Mine came with Ruby short-bottle 6L6's, which aren't bad tubes, but JJ's will ultimately go in. I love their 6L6's.

I had one last year and I put in some Groove Tubes 5881's in it and it was so punchy and mean it was awesome..the tubes were rated a 6..way better than some JJ's I put in it.

I'd be leery of 5881's. They typically don't work for higher plate voltages, but maybe the GT's had some design changes to do so, depending on who's brand they relabeled..

I'm putting JJ 6L6's in it tomorrow. Rubys never did it for me - there's a reason why so many amp builders use them. They say tone, but they're the cheapest Chinese tubes they can get their hands on. Their preamp tube pins are the cheapest, flimsiest pieces of shit on the market. They break, and bend up into a pretzel with little to no effort. JUNK.

The Sovtek Wafer 5881s are great under high voltages. They are the only tube Soldano recommends with the mighty SLO. And, I've had them in Mesa Strategy and Coliseums. No worries under those voltages either.

 

[D-Rock]

Bump

Anyone still playing one of these? Looking at the 20w version.
Are they still making this line, or is everything old stock from 7 years ago?

 

[Inearthed]

I have one of these in my home office (I work from home) with a vertical 2x12 that I will play through when I’m taking a quick break or on a long call where I have to sit on hold. Sounds great at low volumes and better on higher volumes. Sounds awesome through a 4x12 with v30’s! I got it on sale through PAS for like $350 plus their coupon at the time and it was easily the best bang for your buck new piece of gear I’ve picked up

Never heard the 20 watt version so I can’t help there. I thought this line of amps has long since been retired but I’m seeing some of the places have “preorder” or “reserve now” on their listings so

 

[napalmdeath]

I have one of these in my home office (I work from home) with a vertical 2x12 that I will play through when I’m taking a quick break or on a long call where I have to sit on hold. Sounds great at low volumes and better on higher volumes. Sounds awesome through a 4x12 with v30’s! I got it on sale through PAS for like $350 plus their coupon at the time and it was easily the best bang for your buck new piece of gear I’ve picked up

Never heard the 20 watt version so I can’t help there. I thought this line of amps has long since been retired but I’m seeing some of the places have “preorder” or “reserve now” on their listings so

They're still making them, in China.

Honestly, I'd just get the 45H. 6L6 vs. 6V6.

 

[D-Rock]

I was considering the 45 as well, but this is for home use low volume high gain tones. It won't be used with a band/drummer.

 

[acidvoodoo]

I was considering the 45 as well, but this is for home use low volume high gain tones. It won't be used with a band/drummer.

Why not go with the 1 or 5 watt then?

The 1 watt sounds great into my 2x12 and plenty loud for at home.

 

[D-Rock]

I was considering the 45 as well, but this is for home use low volume high gain tones. It won't be used with a band/drummer.

Why not go with the 1 or 5 watt then?

The 1 watt sounds great into my 2x12 and plenty loud for at home.

I don't like the really tiny heads with their minimal EQ bands.

 

[Speeddemon]

@napalmdeath, the boost is only available on the overdrive channel, right?
Is the sound different enough between them?

This is something where the EVH ofcourse has an edge, blue vs. red.
Also, the Randall's styling is utter childish IMO.
Do you still have the Thrasher 50? How does that compare?

 

[D-Rock]

I like this demo of the RD20. Not just the modern high gain stuff, but he's even squeezing some Marshall rock tones out of the thing.