Tube Power Amp?

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 30 Dec 2004 6:57 pm

Recommendations please for a "tube power amp" in the 50 to 100 watt range. Looking to drive two 4 ohm speakers.
Thanks,
Dave

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'74 MSA D-10 8&4, BMI S-12 8&5, Nashville 112

[This message was edited by David Higginbotham on 30 December 2004 at 06:57 PM.][This message was edited by David Higginbotham on 31 December 2004 at 03:57 PM.]

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » 5 Jan 2005 8:44 am

The Mesa Boogie 50-50 is suppose to be real good. Bob (forum Bob) used, or uses one. He could give you some info on it.
Lefty

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 5 Jan 2005 10:04 am

Thanks Lefty! I decided to try using a Stewart instead of going the "tube route" for now. I have read about good results using the Mesa 50/50, but they are a bit out of my price range for this particular project. I appreciate the input.
Dave

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 5 Jan 2005 4:54 pm

I bought a used Peavey Classic Stereo 50/50 on Ebay. Retubed with JJ power tubes and some new preamp tubes. The rack mount power head has a moderate curved preamp section in it that consists of Bass and Presence controls for each side. You can also switch it to 100W mono. It has balanced out (XLR) outputs. And impedence matching switches for different spkr combinations. Very versatile amp with plenty of undistorted headroom with the JJ tubes. I use it with an amp modeler. You can probably pick one up on ebay for around $250-$350. I think they sold for about $700 new?
DD

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 5 Jan 2005 6:25 pm

the Peavey Classic 50 watter with two 6l6 tubes from years ago is a hybrid and can be got for around $200 and less is a surprising nice amp that can be fitted with a 15" speaker, the reverb tank will have to be moved though.

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 7 Jan 2005 12:03 pm

I'm still using a VHT 2/90/2 which is two separate 90 watt all tube, hand made amplifiers in a single module. I have never heard a better sounding tube amp. They are pricey and heavy, but worth it.

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God Bless,
Steve Stallings

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 7 Jan 2005 12:56 pm

I use the Mesa 50/50 with a pair of 12" EVMs for large gigs. For these small, indoor winter gigs I've been using a Mesa 20/20 with two 12" hemp cone Tone Tubbies. Much lighter, and it actually sounds a bit sweeter.

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » 7 Jan 2005 1:03 pm

Stupid question: With a setup like Bobby Lee's can you run a TubeFex directly into the power amp, or does it require a separate preamp? Same question for a Lexicon MPX1? I think I know the answer, but....
Thanks,
Lefty
Dekley D-10
Sho-Bud LDG
Mesa Boogie Mark I 1-15

David Spangler · Post by **David Spangler** » 7 Jan 2005 9:22 pm

The Peavey Classic 50/50 is one of those "best-kept-secrets". It is maybe the only stereo tube amp that can be bridged. Also, the XLR outs are "frequency compensated" and really work well running direct. Used, they run $250-300.

But if you want more watts and stereo, the VHT 90/2/90 is a fine amp as is the 50/2/50. They are expensive and heavy but very fine.

Another to consider is the Boogie two:ninety. It is not only a power amp but can operate as a complete head with its own preamp stages, voice switching, pentode/triode operation, effects loop, rugged steel with cooling fan, all in 2 spaces. Used sell $650-750.

They are all heavy. In solid-state, I really like the Rocktron Velocity 150, 250 and 300 as they are very musical.

In one of my rigs, I have a Stewart PA1000 for 1000W @ 4 ohms bridged in 1 rack space and weighing only 9 lb.

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David Spangler

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 8 Jan 2005 9:08 am

Are you looking for a single channel or a stereo amp?

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Artie McEwan

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 8 Jan 2005 9:17 am

Hey Guys, thanks for all of the info. This is what I was trying to accomplish:

I recently went to using a Nashville 112 as opposed to the 1000 & Session 2000 I had previously. While keeping weight factors in mind, I wanted to increase the output level for larger venues while adding a different sound. I would have preferred to add a "tube sound" and have the best of both, solid state and tube in combination! I can use the "pre amp" out in the rear of the 112 and run into a power amp then into one or two cabinets. This gives me the ability to power up to three speakers and control all parameters with the pre amp section on the Nashville 112 while drastically increasing the overall output. I decided on a Stewart PA200 for the weight factor, size of the unit, and price. At 6 lbs. and half rack size, I can mount it anywhere for 200 watts extra mono or 90 watts extra per side in stereo. I greatly appreciate the help!

Warmest regards,

Dave

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BMI S-12 8&5, Nashville 112 & Stewart PA200 With two BW 1203

Bill Tauson · Post by **Bill Tauson** » 8 Jan 2005 9:49 am

"Carvin", a local company here in Calif. has a new preamp/amp system. It's a rack mount. I've played guitar through it at the store and they've told me to bring my steel down, but I'm afraid I'll leave with a expensive bill.

Here's the websight (I hope)
http://www.carvin.com/products/group.php?cid=gpre

Bill R. Baker · Post by **Bill R. Baker** » 8 Jan 2005 1:57 pm

Lefty, the Tubefex is a preamp and all you need.

Harold Parris · Post by **Harold Parris** » 8 Jan 2005 6:06 pm

Patch a good tube preamp in line between your volume pedal and amp. A solid state amp will not change the tube sound effect. I have two tube preamps that I use with my amps and it is amazing what this does to your sound. (1 Preamp at a time of course)You get the fat full sound of tubes with the positive characteristics of a solid state amplifier. You will have to adjust the preamp and your amplifier to get the sound you want but I wouldn't go any other way. I have a Hughes and Kettner Preamp and a Seymour Duncan Preamp. They both work great with all my equipment.

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Sierra Session and MSA Classic Guitars, Nashville 400, Session 400, and Evans FET 500 HiVolt, and Gretsch Nashville Pro Steel Amps, Keith Hilton Digital Sustain pedal and Digital Sustain Box .
Harold Parris email hparris9@aol.com

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 8 Jan 2005 9:53 pm

I have a Peavey 50/50. One of the cool things is that the 2x50 W channels can be bridged into a mono 100 W. Or, if you want some good power amp dist for your 6 string at low power, you can extract out some of the power tubes and drop the power output to 25 W or so per channel...Use my 50/50 extensively. Never hurts to have a couple extra channels of tube power laying around the home studio.

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 9 Jan 2005 10:22 am

The Stewart amp is a good choice because of the light weight. It uses a "switching" power supply which eliminates the large power transformer. I have a Stewart 400 and it weighs 9# and one rack space. I tried driving it with a Lexicon 110 but had to add a preamp to get the volume level up.
The Stewart amps are reasonably priced also.....JD