Members mshifflett Posted November 26, 2004 Members Share Posted November 26, 2004 If you had to choose between these two amps, which one would you go with and why? I know it depends on the preamp you are using. I currently use a Mesa Quad and I am trying to find a good deal on a Triaxis as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Typhon Posted November 26, 2004 Members Share Posted November 26, 2004 2:90 - pure 6L6 tone, switches, 2U space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members King V Posted November 26, 2004 Members Share Posted November 26, 2004 I've never been a fan of 6L6 tubes(even though my Rackmount SLO has 6L6 tubes in it)-so when faced with a choice of poweramps you mentined by Mesa I'd go with/choose the simulclass 295 or 395 (the model with the Volume & Presence knobs on the front).The 2:90 is a fine and powerful poweramp but the 6L6 loaded power section isnt a choice for my applications(I prefer my VHT 2150s loaded with KT88s or te FX Loop Return on my Bogner Ecstacy 101-b loaded with Svetlana EL-34s) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lockjaw Posted November 26, 2004 Members Share Posted November 26, 2004 295 bangs it. (it sounded "bigger" when I compared it to the 2:90) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SteveVHT Posted November 26, 2004 Members Share Posted November 26, 2004 VHT 2/90/2 puts them both to shame... So does the 2/50/2:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members King V Posted November 27, 2004 Members Share Posted November 27, 2004 Originally posted by SteveLINY VHT 2/90/2 puts them both to shame... So does the 2/50/2:D Yes I agree that the VHT Poweramps of any model or designation are far superior to ANY Mesa Boogie or Mesa Engineering poweramp made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillyCorgan Posted November 27, 2004 Members Share Posted November 27, 2004 Originally posted by King V Yes I agree that the VHT Poweramps of any model or designation are far superior to ANY Mesa Boogie or Mesa Engineering poweramp made. 6l6s + KT88s are match made in heaven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members El Grinder Posted November 29, 2004 Members Share Posted November 29, 2004 Must interject here to state again that though some people love VHT amps, they sound majorly harsh to my ears (and I've heard several, with and without the stock Sovtek tubes). The 295 is basically the earliest version of what was going to become the 2:Ninety. The 295 was simul-class, around 90 watts per side with no switching options. 4u The 395 was the basically the same amp with switch-track power options added (second volume & presence control per channel plus Deep and Half-Drive controls). 3u The 2:Ninety is also simul-class, around 90 watts per channel and has Deep and Half-Drive. It also has the Modern function added, but the second set of volume/presence controls removed. Overall, it is the smallest of the three (at 2u). It has the same power as the other two, similar sound, but the best (IMO) of the switching options control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mshifflett Posted December 1, 2004 Author Members Share Posted December 1, 2004 Thanks everyone! Do the Deep, Modern and Half Drive controls work well on the 2:90 and the 395? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members King V Posted December 1, 2004 Members Share Posted December 1, 2004 The "deep" & "modern" switches on the 2:90 I tried out for a few weeks were cool-as well as the 395 I owned.The 1/2 power switchs on either Mesa poweramp didnt really *HALVE* or *HALF* the percieved output level to my ears,but the amp compressed more so I guess it worked well.The *Deep* function added lower end but it was still loose and the *Modern* setting added upper end presence or treble depending on how YOU hear it.But the answer is that they worked(the switching functions) just to a level that didnt live up to the advertised hype and text.And YES I Played them at Ear Shattering volmes outdoors and indoors and not just at low levels in my studio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Typhon Posted December 1, 2004 Members Share Posted December 1, 2004 Originally posted by King V The 1/2 power switchs on either Mesa poweramp didnt really *HALVE* or *HALF* the percieved output level to my ears That Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members El Grinder Posted December 1, 2004 Members Share Posted December 1, 2004 Half-drive clearly drops the voltage going through the tubes. And remember, cutting the power by 1/2 only drops the sound pressure by 3 db. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members leadfootdriver Posted December 2, 2004 Members Share Posted December 2, 2004 i like my 2:90.... You can put EL34's in the outer tube sockets of both sides without any mods. It werks' pretty good. 'Been tryin' it myself lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jack Luminous Posted December 2, 2004 Members Share Posted December 2, 2004 Originally posted by leadfootdriver i like my 2:90.... You can put EL34's in the outer tube sockets of both sides without any mods. It werks' pretty good. 'Been tryin' it myself lately. I thought you would need to change some bias resitors inside to do that ?? What did you do exactly ? I have some mesa EL34 handy so I might give it a try... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mshifflett Posted December 2, 2004 Author Members Share Posted December 2, 2004 Originally posted by BillyCorgan 6l6s + KT88s are match made in heaven. So is the 500 just a bigger version of the 395 or are there other differences as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members El Grinder Posted December 2, 2004 Members Share Posted December 2, 2004 395 has two quartets of 6L6 tubes. The 500 has two quartets of 6L6 tubes plus an additional pair of 6550 tubes on either side. 395 has one pair of tubes on either side running at class A. The Strategy 500 is all class AB power. Other than that, they're pretty similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members leadfootdriver Posted December 2, 2004 Members Share Posted December 2, 2004 Originally posted by leadfootdriver i like my 2:90.... You can put EL34's in the outer tube sockets of both sides without any mods. It werks' pretty good. 'Been tryin' it myself lately. Just stuff them into the outer 4 sockets, and jam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Typhon Posted December 2, 2004 Members Share Posted December 2, 2004 Originally posted by leadfootdriver Just stuff them into the outer 4 sockets, and jam. ...for 5 minutes before it stops working Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jack Luminous Posted December 3, 2004 Members Share Posted December 3, 2004 Originally posted by leadfootdriver Just stuff them into the outer 4 sockets, and jam. Seriously, I remember discussing the thing with another guy some times ago and he told some resistor changes needs to be done to adjust the bias or something like that. I don't remember the exact details.... If someone in here knows could clarify ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Typhon Posted December 3, 2004 Members Share Posted December 3, 2004 Guys, talk to Pauly. He owns a modded 2:90. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mentoneman Posted December 3, 2004 Members Share Posted December 3, 2004 the 2:90 and the 395 require mods to accept EL-34s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members leadfootdriver Posted December 4, 2004 Members Share Posted December 4, 2004 Originally posted by Typhon ...for 5 minutes before it stops working I jammed with my band for 2 hours last night with EL's in the outers. LOUDLY I might add, and it still werk's, you clowns... I like 6L6's better anyways. You can't beat the crushing bass you get with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pezguy Posted December 4, 2004 Members Share Posted December 4, 2004 Originally posted by Jack Luminous Seriously, I remember discussing the thing with another guy some times ago and he told some resistor changes needs to be done to adjust the bias or something like that. I don't remember the exact details.... If someone in here knows could clarify ? No mods are needed to the grid resistors. As leadfootdriver stated you can just stick EL-34's in the outer sockets and fire it up. I ran this setup for about six months with no problems. My experience was that the 2:90 sounded cool but lost some of its cutting power. Your mileage may vary. The caveat is that the inner 4 tubes need to be 6L6's though. If you wanted to change all of the tubes (inner and outer) to EL34's you will need to mod the amp and change some resistor values. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jack Luminous Posted December 6, 2004 Members Share Posted December 6, 2004 Did you get that info from Mesa ? Originally posted by pezguy No mods are needed to the grid resistors. As leadfootdriver stated you can just stick EL-34's in the outer sockets and fire it up. I ran this setup for about six months with no problems. My experience was that the 2:90 sounded cool but lost some of its cutting power. Your mileage may vary. The caveat is that the inner 4 tubes need to be 6L6's though. If you wanted to change all of the tubes (inner and outer) to EL34's you will need to mod the amp and change some resistor values. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pezguy Posted December 6, 2004 Members Share Posted December 6, 2004 If you call mesa they will verify this information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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