Why no love for the RT 2/50?

[okstrat]

Haven't seen a lot of love for the RT 2/50... I really like mine. Have you guys A/B'd one with a VHT and the VHT stomped it, or what's the story? I'm running mine with two different power tube sets, and the ability for the preamp and power amp to both switch at the same time is really useful... for my classic rock band I use a modded top boost into EL84s for one channel, and EL34s on the other side... and it kills! For the hard rock/metal band, I have one channel set up with KT88s and the other EL34s... really sounds great that way too.

Pete

 

[JayDA]

I'm not really sure why, I've heard a few things about it's reliability, and VHT just seems to be what everyone (including Frank) likes. Maybe I owe it to myself to give one a listen...if only I could find one....

 

[okstrat]

I know it's an older Mesa product, but I A/B'd my RT 2/50 with a Mesa 295 running in simul class and the Randall stomped it in the dirt.

Pete

 

[SacredGroove]

I've never tried the RT2/50. The functionality of it seems really cool and I'd like to check it out. Honestly though, since I started using my VHT, it never occured to me to try anything else. I'd only been concerned about a killer preamp.

I first heard the VHT with an Egnater ie4 (silverface) just after it (ie4) was released. I salivated for a while and reality said I couldn't afford it at the time. Shortly after that, a friend of mine saw the VHT for a stupid low price. I bought it and never looked back.

I've owned a few Mesa's (20/20-50/50). I liked the Marshall 50/50, but never owned one.

The lack of love for the Randall may just simply be a lack of users compared to VHT (and others). That's my guess.

 

[fatang]

In the past I used: Tube Works Mosfet, Marshall Valvestate, Boogie 20/20 and 2:90. All of which I considered before the RT because I knew their sound, size and weight.

When I decided to go the way of the MTS rig however, it made sense to invest fully in the system. I couldn't think of a better way to get the combinations I was familiar with and those I hadn't explored before.

I do wish there was a version like the Lennon power amp (or that the Lennon was still available) that natively used 6V6 and EL84.

Robert

 

[camitchell]

This is a great question! I also have an RT2/50 and am pretty happy with it. I have not A/B'd with the VHTs so I have no idea where it stands, would be nice to hear from some people who have.

 

[okstrat]

In the past I used: Tube Works Mosfet, Marshall Valvestate, Boogie 20/20 and 2:90. All of which I considered before the RT because I knew their sound, size and weight.

When I decided to go the way of the MTS rig however, it made sense to invest fully in the system. I couldn't think of a better way to get the combinations I was familiar with and those I hadn't explored before.

I do wish there was a version like the Lennon power amp (or that the Lennon was still available) that natively used 6V6 and EL84.

Robert

You can run some 6V6s in the RT 2/50, and with Yellowjackets EL84s. both at once or switch between the two...

Pete

 

[jmgman70]

I love my RT!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RockManiac]

Same here, I love my RT2/50 both for its sound and flexibility.

 

[jimosity]

I'd love to have an RT2/50, but for the price, I feel a little better spending money on something with more of a solid/stable reputation for producing great power amps. My VHT 2/90/2 crushes....and for the same price of the RT2/50, I think there are other alternatives that have a more 'proven' track record.
If I could ever trade into one, I'd love to have one though.

 

[Chad]

Seems there is some love after all. But overall there isn't much buzz on the RT2/50 amp. I think the main reasons are:

--people just don't buy into rack gear as much as heads and combos and Randall isn't alone in that. I'd guess a big company like M/B also sells way more heads and combos than rack amps.
--poorly marketed.

 

[fatang]

In the past I used: Tube Works Mosfet, Marshall Valvestate, Boogie 20/20 and 2:90. All of which I considered before the RT because I knew their sound, size and weight.

When I decided to go the way of the MTS rig however, it made sense to invest fully in the system. I couldn't think of a better way to get the combinations I was familiar with and those I hadn't explored before.

I do wish there was a version like the Lennon power amp (or that the Lennon was still available) that natively used 6V6 and EL84.

Robert

You can run some 6V6s in the RT 2/50, and with Yellowjackets EL84s. both at once or switch between the two...

Pete

Yeah true I know, but the transformer isn't mated to the output of those tubes. I'd love to have the power stage of the Mesa Blue Angel (6V6/EL84 mix), that's amazing sounding.

 

[bduersch]

I had a RT2/50 a couple years ago when I got my first MTS gig, and I thought it was a great power amp... big, warm, & punchy. Put the Carvin TS100 I was using to complete shame.

Now I'm using the VHT 2/50/2 with my M4... I was actually planning on getting another RT2/50, but got a better deal on the VHT and had always wanted to try one out firsthand. The VHT sounds great as well, and while I like the alternative voicings (Class A vs. AB), I miss certain features like the easy re-biasing and MIDI switching of the RT2/50.

--B

 

[okstrat]

In the past I used: Tube Works Mosfet, Marshall Valvestate, Boogie 20/20 and 2:90. All of which I considered before the RT because I knew their sound, size and weight.

When I decided to go the way of the MTS rig however, it made sense to invest fully in the system. I couldn't think of a better way to get the combinations I was familiar with and those I hadn't explored before.

I do wish there was a version like the Lennon power amp (or that the Lennon was still available) that natively used 6V6 and EL84.

Robert

You can run some 6V6s in the RT 2/50, and with Yellowjackets EL84s. both at once or switch between the two...

Pete

Yeah true I know, but the transformer isn't mated to the output of those tubes. I'd love to have the power stage of the Mesa Blue Angel (6V6/EL84 mix), that's amazing sounding.

So which tubes are 'mated' to the RT2/50? 6L6? or EL34? or 5881? or KT66... or KT88, or KT90, or 6550, or?

Pete

 

[GtrGear]

I did an a/b/c/ with the Randall RT, MB 2:90 and Rocktron Velocity Valve.
The Velocity Valve was way way better!
Strange if you figure it's an earlier Bruce Egnater design than the RT...

 

[fatang]

In the past I used: Tube Works Mosfet, Marshall Valvestate, Boogie 20/20 and 2:90. All of which I considered before the RT because I knew their sound, size and weight.

When I decided to go the way of the MTS rig however, it made sense to invest fully in the system. I couldn't think of a better way to get the combinations I was familiar with and those I hadn't explored before.

I do wish there was a version like the Lennon power amp (or that the Lennon was still available) that natively used 6V6 and EL84.

Robert

You can run some 6V6s in the RT 2/50, and with Yellowjackets EL84s. both at once or switch between the two...

Pete

Yeah true I know, but the transformer isn't mated to the output of those tubes. I'd love to have the power stage of the Mesa Blue Angel (6V6/EL84 mix), that's amazing sounding.

So which tubes are 'mated' to the RT2/50? 6L6? or EL34? or 5881? or KT66... or KT88, or KT90, or 6550, or?

Pete

All the tubes you list are higher power capacity than the 6V6 or EL84, which are generally seen in amps of 30 watts or less. Maybe "mated" was the wrong word but the RT transformer handles 50 watts per side.

Compared to a Marshall or Mesa 20/20 or the Lennon (if we're discussing lower output rack mount amps) the transformers are bigger and there is a sonic and response difference.

Variable bias is great and your point is totally valid, I'm just being tweeky
:wink:

Robert

 

[joey_truelove]

Could be a combination of factors really. Quality, likes, power-output. Also there are plenty used power-amps one can pick up for a great deal less than the RT new. Around here you can get basically a new, unloaded RM100 for the price of an RT2/50. For the same money I could get two pre-owned Mesa 50/50s - why I would want that.

I'd like to think the RT is a bit on the costier side, due to being designed for channel switching with the RM4 and Randall may have pictured they'd have more or less some kind of monopoly situation in this field. Egnater never put out a power-amp to go with the M4, if I'm not missinformed.

 

[okstrat]

Could be a combination of factors really. Quality, likes, power-output. Also there are plenty used power-amps one can pick up for a great deal less than the RT new. Around here you can get basically a new, unloaded RM100 for the price of an RT2/50. For the same money I could get two pre-owned Mesa 50/50s - why I would want that.

I'd like to think the RT is a bit on the costier side, due to being designed for channel switching with the RM4 and Randall may have pictured they'd have more or less some kind of monopoly situation in this field. Egnater never put out a power-amp to go with the M4, if I'm not missinformed.

Having owned a Mesa 50/50 in the past, I'd take the Randall power amp over two of them any time!

Pete

 

[GtrGeorge!]

From people I have spoken to..
Rack gear is passe' (thats what THEY say..)
Randall ,as a brand, doesnt have a giant market share
..and its expensive and hard to get.
Thats what i heard whenever I asked about getting a RT2/50 for me to audition. I am in Austin,Texas...it's a big city..lots of guitar players.
I had to drive 9 hours to hear a RT2/50. I bought it and I am pleased. I couldnt a/B it, as much as I would have liked.
But overall I think others have had a similar situation as mine.
Randall has some challenges to overcome ...even though they have some great products, and the sales staff was EXTREMELY helpful in telling me who had a RT2/50 IN STOCK. Just mho.

 

[kc2eeb]

With certain few exceptions, most music stores, indies or the big chains, want to sell you what they have, not what you want. In the 60's and 70's I worked for one of the big ones (I won't mention who) and all it was about was selling, tell the customer whatever they wanted to hear and get the stock off the shelf and out of the store. The forums like we are on right now, and all the free exchange of info and ideas, simply did not exist. It's much better now. Enjoy! Pat L.