Which power amp to use w/ my M4? Peavey, VHT, MB, Randall...

[Screenery]

Hi,

I just received word that my Egnater M4 is ready, and I'm paying for it on Monday.

However, I am still indecisive about which power amp to use with it. I have a Randall RT2/50 that I use with my Randall RM4, but it just sounds ok, not nearly as tight as my Randall RM50 head. I'm leaning toward either trying different tubes with the RT2/50, or replacing it with a VHT2502.

How do the following power amps compare/contrast against each other, especially when in use with the M4?
Peavey Classic 50/50 power amp
VHT 2502
Mesa Boogie 50/50
Randall RT250

Thanks,
Mitch

 

[AdamB]

I don't have an M4, just a Mod 50, but the VHT 2/50/2 and 2/90/2 seems to be very popular around here

 

[King Guitar]

Hard to go wrong with VHT power amps. I have a VHT 2/50/2 in the rig Dave Friedman is building for me that has 2 M4's in it.

Brad

 

[AdamB]

Brad, i want to see a picture of your rig!!!

 

[aeroic]

Hi,

I just received word that my Egnater M4 is ready, and I'm paying for it on Monday.

However, I am still indecisive about which power amp to use with it. I have a Randall RT2/50 that I use with my Randall RM4, but it just sounds ok, not nearly as tight as my Randall RM50 head. I'm leaning toward either trying different tubes with the RT2/50, or replacing it with a VHT2502.

How do the following power amps compare/contrast against each other, especially when in use with the M4?
Peavey Classic 50/50 power amp
VHT 2502
Mesa Boogie 50/50
Randall RT250

Thanks,
Mitch

Of this list I'd recommend the Randall RT250 or the VHT 2502. The Boogie 50/50 was the worst power section I've ever played. Lifeless, and boring. I hated that power section. Peavey's is good...but not great.

I'd honestly recommend the VHT 2/90/2 over the 2/50/2. The 2/90/2 was designed with the VHT 2150 in mind, and it's by far the best power amp on the market. I've owned all three (2/50/2, 2/90/2, and 2150) and the 2150 is the best but it's 4 rack spaces and heavy!!!! The 2/90/2 is 2 rack spaces and sounds 95% as good as the 2150 and is an amazing power amp!

 

[King Guitar]

Brad, i want to see a picture of your rig!!!

Me too! Dave will post it in his section once he gets it built. Look for it in Jan, it will be SICK!

 

[jmgman69]

Hi,

I just received word that my Egnater M4 is ready, and I'm paying for it on Monday.

However, I am still indecisive about which power amp to use with it. I have a Randall RT2/50 that I use with my Randall RM4, but it just sounds ok, not nearly as tight as my Randall RM50 head. I'm leaning toward either trying different tubes with the RT2/50, or replacing it with a VHT2502.

How do the following power amps compare/contrast against each other, especially when in use with the M4?
Peavey Classic 50/50 power amp
VHT 2502
Mesa Boogie 50/50
Randall RT250

Thanks,
Mitch

Hey Mitch,Welcome and Congrats I run the M4 with the RT and love it!Run it in stereo with 6L6gcs ans E34Ls and Its brutal!I recently dropped some 6550s in my Mod 50 and "MY GOD' was the first response,so now the VHT 2902(naw, what am I thinking)welcome aboard Mitch

 

[aeroic]

Hi,

I just received word that my Egnater M4 is ready, and I'm paying for it on Monday.

However, I am still indecisive about which power amp to use with it. I have a Randall RT2/50 that I use with my Randall RM4, but it just sounds ok, not nearly as tight as my Randall RM50 head. I'm leaning toward either trying different tubes with the RT2/50, or replacing it with a VHT2502.

How do the following power amps compare/contrast against each other, especially when in use with the M4?
Peavey Classic 50/50 power amp
VHT 2502
Mesa Boogie 50/50
Randall RT250

Thanks,
Mitch

Hey Mitch,Welcome and Congrats I run the M4 with the RT and love it!Run it in stereo with 6L6gcs ans E34Ls and Its brutal!I recently dropped some 6550s in my Mod 50 and "MY GOD' was the first response,so now the VHT 2902(naw, what am I thinking)welcome aboard Mitch

I have to say Jason, I think if you got a 2902 and threw 6550s in there, the RT250 would start collecting dust .

Eric

 

[broknstuff]

Hey Eric, could you say how the 2902 or 2502 compare to the power section in the mod50? I thought 2502, but all this raving over the 2902 has gotten me thinking...can you elaborate a bit more in why you prefered the 2902 over the 50, maybe some general characteristics of each?

 

[jmgman69]

Hey Eric, could you say how the 2902 or 2502 compare to the power section in the mod50? I thought 2502, but all this raving over the 2902 has gotten me thinking...can you elaborate a bit more in why you prefered the 2902 over the 50, maybe some general characteristics of each?

YA!

 

[aeroic]

Hey Eric, could you say how the 2902 or 2502 compare to the power section in the mod50? I thought 2502, but all this raving over the 2902 has gotten me thinking...can you elaborate a bit more in why you prefered the 2902 over the 50, maybe some general characteristics of each?

So let me compare the 2502 and the 2902 first. I had my 2502 modded by my amp tech to accept 6550s, so I can give you a "heads up view" of what the same 6550s in the 2502 sounded like against the 2902. For those who have had a 2150, know that there is a lot more "gerth" and dimension to the tone of that power amp. Same goes for the 2902. The 2150 just has a bit more depth, gerth, and balls. The 2502 had more of a "vintage flair" and didn't have that three dimensional feel that the 2902 does. I did some recordings way back when comparing the 2502 w/ the 2902 (sorry i don't have them anymore) and the 2902 had more guts, dimension, and punch on higher gain stuff. It was more articulate, was a bigger sound, and just had more "mojo" than the 2502. So, for me there was no comparison in that respect.

The Mod50's power section is close to the 2902's, but it has a smoother feel to it, and a little less deep punch vs the 2902. They are by far my favorite power sections. I think the Mod50 (especially on lower power mode) is a bit juicier and smoother especially in the mids. But, we are talking very minute details here. If I had to go down to one rig, it would definitely be a Mod50 w/ a M4 . I'm not saying the Mod50's power section is better or worse, just a bit different. I LOVE my VHT 2902 though. So muscular, so warm. Does everything well, from cleans, to mid-gain, to metal. It is a bit more versatile, since it has the normal voicing and modern switches, and the deep seems to be a bit lower in frequency than the Mod50's deep. I can dime the VHT 2902's deep, and my cabs can really push all of that low end without sacrificing any other tone. The Mod50's density I can't do that with, but that's okay. It sounds great at about 2 oclock for me.

If you want to go fully rack, get the VHT 2902. If you want a head, get the Mod50. Hands down the best power sections out there!

 

[broknstuff]

Thanks for that detailed response! It's going to start out m4 and mod50 at first, but eventually i'm going to add in a 2902 to the madness for stereo (that is, unless egnater comes out with their own poweramp or something, I'm just a sucker for all things egnater).

 

[AdamB]

I hope Egnater release a poweramp! I'd jump on that! Saying that, i'd love a 2/90/2 but i have other things planned

As we all do

 

[jlbaxe]

I read on a post that Jeff said something about there proto type rt 2 50 2 .... Ok i found it under "more blown tubes"

Retubed our proto type RT252 power amp weds with 34's on one side and 5881 on the other...20 minutes later the fuses blow on the 34 side.

Posted: Fri, May 02, 2008 6:26am. So maybe something is in the works.

Hey Eric do you think i can have one of my RT2/50s modded to accept 6550 tubes. what did they do to you amp to make them fit? Jeff said the bottles touch in the rt. what should it cost about?

So far i love the RT2/50 amps but am gasing for a VHT 2902 or if Jeff and Bruce are working on something similar (with midi switching)I will wait for that. Besides if we order it when it comes out i will be able to afford it 7-12 months later when they start shipping . But first my StoneAge cabs with mic eliminators.

 

[broknstuff]

I read on a post that Jeff said something about there proto type rt 2 50 2 .... Ok i found it under "more blown tubes"

Retubed our proto type RT252 power amp weds with 34's on one side and 5881 on the other...20 minutes later the fuses blow on the 34 side.

Posted: Fri, May 02, 2008 6:26am. So maybe something is in the works.

Hey Eric do you think i can have one of my RT2/50s modded to accept 6550 tubes. what did they do to you amp to make them fit? Jeff said the bottles touch in the rt. what should it cost about?

So far i love the RT2/50 amps but am gasing for a VHT 2902 or if Jeff and Bruce are working on something similar (with midi switching)I will wait for that. Besides if we order it when it comes out i will be able to afford it 7-12 months later when they start shipping . But first my StoneAge cabs with mic eliminators.

Could that be referring to a prototype of the rt250 they may have made for randall before they started producing them?

 

[jlbaxe]

I read on a post that Jeff said something about there proto type rt 2 50 2 .... Ok i found it under "more blown tubes"

Retubed our proto type RT252 power amp weds with 34's on one side and 5881 on the other...20 minutes later the fuses blow on the 34 side.

Posted: Fri, May 02, 2008 6:26am. So maybe something is in the works.

Hey Eric do you think i can have one of my RT2/50s modded to accept 6550 tubes. what did they do to you amp to make them fit? Jeff said the bottles touch in the rt. what should it cost about?

So far i love the RT2/50 amps but am gasing for a VHT 2902 or if Jeff and Bruce are working on something similar (with midi switching)I will wait for that. Besides if we order it when it comes out i will be able to afford it 7-12 months later when they start shipping . But first my StoneAge cabs with mic eliminators.

Could that be referring to a prototype of the rt250 they may have made for randall before they started producing them?

In may of 08 they were already out.sounds like something similar to the vht 2502.

 

[broknstuff]

In may of 08 they were already out.sounds like something similar to the vht 2502.

ooooooooh If that's the case, I hope they do something cool like they've always done (power scaling, tube mix..or whatever else they have up their sleeves!). Either way, if they make one, I'm sure it'll be killer.

 

[AdamB]

Can i put my name down now?

Hahaha

 

[dfrattaroli]

It's hard for us to pick for you. I currently have a VHT 2/50/2 but don't know if it's the one I'm going to keep. I'd like to try the Randall. I had a Boogie 50/50 that I used with a Mesa Studio Preamp and I LOVED it. I wish I still had it to try with my M4.

Use your ears and pick what you like best.

Dave