Punchiest power amp for m4?

[qwerty]

Just wanted to hear from experience, what is the punchiest and most "tubey" power amp you've heard with the M4? Be it a rack PA or the FX loop of a head, doesn't matter, I just want that real nice tube compression thing happening. I'm not aiming for metal kind of balls, just pure punch a tube liveliness. Any thoughts?

 

[fuzzyguitars]

i think aeric will tell you his pt100!

i have tried

mesa 2:90
vht 2/50/2
randall rt2/50
mod100
lynchbox 100
diezel herbert.

my favorite is probably the power section of the egnater mod100

it has that IT factor.

btw i do play loud.

 

[guitarslinger]

punchy and tubey?

Rivera TBR3, TBR5
Marshall 9100/9200
VHT 2150/2100

 

[Guitarvc]

If you can find a rackmount Soldano poweramp, I'd go for that

 

[rlord1974]

If you can find a rackmount Soldano poweramp, I'd go for that

You'd better be willing to pay over $2k for a 100 watt monobloc amp.....

 

[Klark]

I've tried my M4 into the return of my old rackmount SLO. It was ok, but definitely wasn't anything to write home about. I later picked up a VHT 2/50/2, which was much better, but I still was not happy with the low-end. The top-end was nice & clear, but the low-end seemed to be shelved off compared to the SLO. Shortly after that I tried a friends 2:100, and his 20/20. Both were ok, but again, nothing to write home about. The power amp I settled on, and have stayed with, is the RT2/50. It sounds excellent, is relatively inexpensive, and has the ability to switch between 6L6 and EL34, which is awesome if you try to recreate tones like I do.

Just remember, your rigs ability to 'punch' is not just from the power amp. You need to consider string gauge, pickups, preamp saturation, EQ, compression, power tube choice, the cones, and even the wood of your cabinet.

 

[Beagle1]

Just wanted to hear from experience, what is the punchiest and most "tubey" power amp you've heard with the M4? Be it a rack PA or the FX loop of a head, doesn't matter, I just want that real nice tube compression thing happening. I'm not aiming for metal kind of balls, just pure punch a tube liveliness. Any thoughts?

My old Peavey Classic 50/50 has become my favorite power amp for my M4. It is not as transparent as my Randall RT 2/50, but it does really give that tube compression thing you mentioned but without making everything tubby and flabby. I think metal guys wouldn't like the Peavey...probably not tight enough or loud enough. But for the classic rock thing, I love it...really warms up the T/D, COD, and with the EL84's is wonderful on the Vox module. For the Marshall stuff, I would probably prefer the RT but the Peavey still does a good job with it. The Peavey's are cheap and easy to find so might be worth a try. For my IE-4, I really prefer the RT.

 

[qwerty]

I've tried my M4 into the return of my old rackmount SLO. It was ok, but definitely wasn't anything to write home about. I later picked up a VHT 2/50/2, which was much better, but I still was not happy with the low-end. The top-end was nice & clear, but the low-end seemed to be shelved off compared to the SLO. Shortly after that I tried a friends 2:100, and his 20/20. Both were ok, but again, nothing to write home about. The power amp I settled on, and have stayed with, is the RT2/50. It sounds excellent, is relatively inexpensive, and has the ability to switch between 6L6 and EL34, which is awesome if you try to recreate tones like I do.

Just remember, your rigs ability to 'punch' is not just from the power amp. You need to consider string gauge, pickups, preamp saturation, EQ, compression, power tube choice, the cones, and even the wood of your cabinet.

Interesting! Thanks for sharing your experience! But honestly, does the M4 + RT2/50 come anywhere near your SLO in terms of punch and fatness? I would never expect it to.

 

[qwerty]

Just wanted to hear from experience, what is the punchiest and most "tubey" power amp you've heard with the M4? Be it a rack PA or the FX loop of a head, doesn't matter, I just want that real nice tube compression thing happening. I'm not aiming for metal kind of balls, just pure punch a tube liveliness. Any thoughts?

My old Peavey Classic 50/50 has become my favorite power amp for my M4. It is not as transparent as my Randall RT 2/50, but it does really give that tube compression thing you mentioned but without making everything tubby and flabby. I think metal guys wouldn't like the Peavey...probably not tight enough or loud enough. But for the classic rock thing, I love it...really warms up the T/D, COD, and with the EL84's is wonderful on the Vox module. For the Marshall stuff, I would probably prefer the RT but the Peavey still does a good job with it. The Peavey's are cheap and easy to find so might be worth a try. For my IE-4, I really prefer the RT.

Cool! My first power amp was a 50/50 and I can actually recall that sag your talking about. It might be a good thing to look for. Thanks!

 

[Klark]

But honestly, does the M4 + RT2/50 come anywhere near your SLO in terms of punch and fatness? I would never expect it to.

Better by a longshot.

 

[qwerty]

But honestly, does the M4 + RT2/50 come anywhere near your SLO in terms of punch and fatness? I would never expect it to.

Better by a longshot.

Sorry, but which amp did you find better by a longshot?

 

[Klark]

But honestly, does the M4 + RT2/50 come anywhere near your SLO in terms of punch and fatness? I would never expect it to.

Better by a longshot.

Sorry, but which amp did you find better by a longshot?

The RT2/50 was noticeably better than the SLO.

 

[Guitarvc]

But honestly, does the M4 + RT2/50 come anywhere near your SLO in terms of punch and fatness? I would never expect it to.

Better by a longshot.

Sorry, but which amp did you find better by a longshot?

The RT2/50 was noticeably better than the SLO.

Thats interesting. I'll have to check that out myself...although I do not have an M4 or any other preamp. I played a Soldano Power amp and the Caswell preamp and it sounded killer...very SLO like but more flexible. It also handled digital effects very well. It just goes to show that not all top quality components mix well with each other. I have never been a big fan of the Randall stuff, having tried their modular amps and comparing to my Mod 50. Always thought is was a step down from the domestic Egnater gear.

I'll have to check it out.

 

[aeroic]

So far my Ceriatone / Voodoo Modded 2555 and my CAA PT100 are definitely the best power sections I've ever used w/ the M4. They sound soooo much like an amp now it isn't funny. M4 + great amp w/ a great power section = score IMHO. But for a rackmount power amp...the RT2/50 is really hard to beat for the size / money. If size / money wasn't a criteria, the VHT 2150 would be power amp for sure.

Eric

 

[LRStrat]

This is what I use.
The Mesa/Boogie Simul 395 Stereo Tube Power Amp!!!!

It sound amazing!!!! Good Luck finding one, not made any more.

I was using a Mesa/Boogie 2:100, but the 395 blows it away!!

Here is a couple of links, so you can read some more about it.

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=25268

http://www.tubefreak.com/tubefreak.html

If you can get one, you won't be sorry.