2/50/2 or 2/90/2 power amp with M4?

[photios]

I'm curious if anyone has tried both the VHT 2/50/2 and the 2/90/2 power amp with their M4 or RM4 preamp? If so, would you mind posting some thoughts...I'm debating about which amp would be the best fit for my rig...thanks

 

[John Czajkowski]

I had a 2-90-2 that I used with my M4, but I sold it to get a 2-50-2. (I used to have a 2-50-2, but it got ripped and my insurance company replaced it with a 2-90-2). Now, I know what you are thinking..."what an idiot..." Well, I jsut like the sound of EL34s better than the mighty KT-88s inside the 2-90-2. It's a slightly mellower sound with a full midrange. If you are going for metal and modern rock sounds, the KT-88 is probably what will sound better to your ear. If your ears are more calibrated to classic sounds, as are mine, then go with the 2-50-2. Each is just stupidly powerful. The 2-90-2 is just more stupidly powerful. For gigs with my power trio, the 2-90-2 never went over 15-20% and we play at a very good level. On the 2-50-2, I have it up around 50-60% live and it has so much tone sculpting range, it just feels like an extension of the power amp. I've never tried the Randall power amp, and I'm sure it is fine, but the VHT **** is amazing. Simply amazing. Most all of the sounds on the CD samples I have on my band website are using the 2-50-2.

 

[photios]

Well, I play in an ACDC tribute band...so, I was originally thinking of going with the 2/50/2...but, I personally love the description of the KT88's: big sound, punchy, lots of low end and very articulate...that would fit my personal playing style well, but of couse, the EL34's would fit the ACDC Marshall Plexi tone...what a dilemna

 

[John Czajkowski]

Ok, If you are looking for that sound alone, then it can best be achieved from getting a good grindy distortion from ie4 channel 3 or EG 3 on the M4 modules and driving the the VHT really hard in low power mode or with a load device of some sort. I've alway felt he gets the impact of that tone from the power amp stage getting slammed. I think I also hear some speaker break-up in some of his recordings too (ie...LOUD). The VHT presence control is going to be very touchy at higher volumes and the difference in its two voicings will become even more pronounced. You will probably want the brighter one for AC/DC stuff. Don't get me wrong, the KT-88s will work just fantastic too if your other tones are heading more in the modern direction.

Another module that helps nail that tone is the SL2! We alway screw around at the HWM rehearsals with at least one AC/DC tune and I think I can really nail it with SL2 ch A with the gain turned way down to like 9-10:00 or so with the afore-mentioned VHT settings. :twisted: OY!

Good luck!

 

[photios]

Man, great info...thank you...I ordered my M4 with the SL, SL2, E-Rect, and EG3/4 modules...I printed your response and I look forward to dialing in some plexi tone when it arrives...still uncertain about which amp, but leaning towards the 2/90/2.

 

[John Czajkowski]

You're welcome. You will just LOVE those modules. Don't worry, I can vouch that either of those power amps will just slay. These days, you may wish to get the 2-50-2 becuase I think the 2-90-2 will soon require a weapon registration in some states.

I wish I could tell you about the randall amp, but I just would be repeating what I've seen people say about it online. I have never heard it. It has some very cool features in terms of switching between sides via MIDI. This is very cool if you don't have a switching system like the switchblade, GCX or even the soundsculture head trip. Oh, the decisions...

 

[GtrGear]

It's more a principal powertube choice you have to make.
EL34 is crunchy, KT88 is cleaner (less 'rock' and less topend sparkle and less bass!

 

[John Czajkowski]

It's more a principal powertube choice you have to make.
EL34 is crunchy, KT88 is cleaner (less 'rock' and less topend sparkle and less bass!

Although I think this is generally true, I simply did not observe this at all in the VHT 2-90-2. I am inclined to say that it has more bass, and more or an aggressive character to it. I am ultimately going for a more classic approach to my tones, so that is the main reason I prefer the EL34s. I have heard Bruce remark upon how crucial the actual design of the circuit is rather than just the tube itself in bringing out the tube's character. One interesting note relating to this is that I just spoke with VHT about swapping in 6L6 tubes in thier older 2-50-2 (the one with the switch fo rthis purpose) and they are advising against it becuase they just don't dig the way that tube responds to their circuit.

 

[GtrGear]

True, I know what Steve and Bruce say about design is more important.
I've tested both 2:50:2 and 2:90:2 the same time.
Also mailed Steve about putting EL34 in the 2:90:2, same answer

I have tested 9 types of powertubes in a MOD100.
I constantly installed 2 different pairs.
Switching between the powertubes by connecting 2 fuses of pair #1 and disconneting the other 2 fuses of pair #2 and vice versa.
The difference I heard I described here.
I can tell you BIG differences. This is really something that's hard to describe, I only can say try this @ home yourself.

 

[photios]

I bought one of each and A/B'ed them...I much prefer the 2/50/2 for what I am trying to do (ACDC cover band)...it just makes the plexi module feel and sound so authentic...and volume wise, it seems just as loud to me as the 2/90/2...I cant turn the master up on the M4 past about 9:00 before my house starts shaking (but I keep the volume nearly dimed on the modules and the VHT nearly dimed out too...it sounds better and feels better that way). I'm glad I bought both amps and A/B'ed them...else I would have always wondered if I had made the right choice. I am totally impressed with the M4/VHT/TC Electronci G System rig thru my Marshall 4X12 with V30's...sounds incredible and feels fun to play. I've got a custom built rack from A&S case and a custom built pedal board from NYC pedal boards coming in a few weeks and then I'll post some pics.

Yesterday, I got my new Randall RS412XLT cab (loaded with V30's)...it sounds darker than my Marshall cab, but maybe it will sound better after it breaks in a bit. With two 4x12's and the M4/VHT it is unbelievable...I'm gonna try to use the GS to do a WDDW deal by using my other amp and using both cabs in stereo...that should sound like heaven.