What contributes more to VHT's clarity, Power or Pre Amp?

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Qweklain

Qweklain

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Which one most likely keeps most of all that tight clarity, the power amp section or the pre-amp section? I'm not talking any specific amp or anything, I'm just talking in general.
 
Qweklain":833d1 said:
Which one most likely keeps most of all that tight clarity, the power amp section or the pre-amp section? I'm not talking any specific amp or anything, I'm just talking in general.
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There is pretty much no way to know. An amps sound is the sum of its parts not one thing or another.
 
I think the KT88 power section has a lot to do with it.
 
I would guess both , but mostly the power section. You could use the effects loop to seperate them, to see how they work apart. I try all my preamps threw all my power amps. The Mark IV preamp sounds great threw the Tremoverb power section. You can hear how the different parts sound after you do a few.
 
I gotta agree with redrol on this. maybe some of the VHT power amp owners could chime in as too whether that clarity and tightness is always there with various preamps? Tony - you've owned heads and power amps.... :dunno:
Robotechnology":c9e59 said:
I think the KT88 power section has a lot to do with it.
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yeah, but the EL34 heads have "that" sound too, maybe not QUITE as tight/clear, but still more so than alot of other amps.
 
I think its the design that Steve Fryette came up with more so than the tubes. However I do believe he uses a 12au7 as a phase inverter so maybe that plays an important role in things.
 
Are there any KT88 amps that have more of a saturated gain than the VHTs? I have a D120 right now. I love the tightness but would like a little more saturation. What about a Mako Dorado or an Elmwood Modena M90 - are those more saturated? I believe these amps use kt88s/6550s.
 
mhenson42":215b8 said:
Are there any KT88 amps that have more of a saturated gain than the VHTs? I have a D120 right now. I love the tightness but would like a little more saturation. What about a Mako Dorado or an Elmwood Modena M90 - are those more saturated? I believe these amps use kt88s/6550s.
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The Sig X should have more saturation than the Deliverance and a slightly 'looser' feel available at the push of a button for those who thought VHT were too tight and unforgiving. It has 2 KT88s.

The CL series with EL34 tubes is tight and clear...I directly compared the CL100 to the 5150 III and the CL 100 blew it away for clear high gain. Channel 3 on the EVH sounded fizzy, unclear compared to the VHT. Regret selling my CL50........
 
eric_kv2":6b126 said:
I think its the design that Steve Fryette came up with more so than the tubes. However I do believe he uses a 12au7 as a phase inverter so maybe that plays an important role in things.
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I think most amps use those tubes in the Phase Inverter position. I know my Diezel does......
 
My vintage red knob Sunn model T has more saturation in the power amp than any VHT I have played. Not real tight. The preamp has about as much gain as a JCM-800. With four KT-88's it's stupid loud when this happens.
 
I have EL-34's in a VHT 50 CL w/ EQ+REV and it has that punchiness and clarity. I go back and forth on my love of that amp. Its hard to me at times to find a happy medium between rhythm tone and lead tones, especially after not using the amp in a while. The note definition is there all the time and I really like that, if your technique is off a bit .......you'll certainly hear it.

Although the amp is tight and unforgiving to you technique that is why it cuts so well. Sorta reminds me of how folks complain of the 2203/04 brightness when playihg the amp by itself but when you get in the band context...really cuts through the mix..sae thing with VHT for me anyways.
 
I am no techie, but have substantial experience with VHT gear. LOOOOOOVE the clarity of tone.

My bet is it has to do with BOTH the preamp section and the power section.

VHT amps on their own are super clear...however using a VHT power amp with every preamp I have ever tried with one makes the overall tone clearer as well, so I am betting it has to do with both.


The tight clear character that the VHT power amps add are the biggest part of the reason the 2/50/2 is my favorite power amp. 2/90/2 is my second favorite, but I really dig the added flavor el34's provide in VHT's (this coming from a guy who prefers 6L6's in just about everything else ;) )
 
I tend to think it's more because of the preamp section. As most have said they make amps with several kinds of power tube configurations. KT88s being probably the "cleanest" sounding. But that same trebly, metallic sheen quality is there in most of their amps.
 
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