Power Station question

Beyond Black

Beyond Black

Well-known member
Any audible difference between the OG 50 watt PS and the newer PS2A?
 
They should be identical. The only difference is that the 2A has an adjustable Line Out level control pot on the rear panel in place of the original
PS-2’s Line Out Hi/Lo level switch.
 
Just to mention; I had a PS100 5 yrs ago or so. Hated the way it 'squished' the tone as an attenuator. Returned it fast.

Recently bought a PS2A, and the difference is night/day in the attenuated tone. Like not even related to the PS100 experience I had. PS2A is MUCH better than the PS100 in that regard.
 
I've played the 50, PS2, and the 2A, they were both incredibly transparent - especially with marshall style amps

Probably the best attenuator for that specific use, never noticed any differences in sound

Havent played the ps100
 
I’m borrowing my buddy’s PS1, running my 72 SL through it boosted, and it sounds incredible.
Debating whether I should try and buy his or get a PS2A.
 
Racerxrated said:
Just to mention; I had a PS100 5 yrs ago or so. Hated the way it 'squished' the tone as an attenuator. Returned it fast.
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DanTravis62 said:
Probably the best attenuator for that specific use, never noticed any differences in sound

Havent played the ps100
Click to expand...
I just got a PS-100, and I haven't had the issues @Racerxrated mentions. I'm using it for knocking a '82 4104 down to apartment-sized volumes, and I haven't been able to notice any difference either once I volume-matched and then tweaked the reactive load switches. Switching to bypass and back is almost anti-climatic when volume-matched because it doesn't seem like anything is happening to the tone or feel.

I was comparing at weekend daytime apartment levels though, maybe @Racerxrated had his cranked for the comparison, in which case our experiences aren't directly comparable. @Racerxrated, how'd you go about tweaking the controls to match the bypassed sound/feel?
 
Beyond Black said:
I’m borrowing my buddy’s PS1, running my 72 SL through it boosted, and it sounds incredible.
Debating whether I should try and buy his or get a PS2A.
Click to expand...

Honestly I don't think there's any better attenuator for an old marshall - IMO it's vastly superior for that specific purpose

The real question is "which one" which only you can decide which features you need


I will say, in general, all models are feature-packed
 
DanTravis62 said:
The real question is "which one" which only you can decide which features you need


I will say, in general, all models are feature-packed
Click to expand...
@Beyond Black if you're playing with it live, the PS-100 has a neat dual-channel feature so you can bump volume and tweak the tone for solo breaks 'n stuff. You may be able to mimic that with a clean boost/EQ in the loop though.
 
7704A said:
I just got a PS-100, and I haven't had the issues @Racerxrated mentions. I'm using it for knocking a '82 4104 down to apartment-sized volumes, and I haven't been able to notice any difference either once I volume-matched and then tweaked the reactive load switches. Switching to bypass and back is almost anti-climatic when volume-matched because it doesn't seem like anything is happening to the tone or feel.

I was comparing at weekend daytime apartment levels though, maybe @Racerxrated had his cranked for the comparison, in which case our experiences aren't directly comparable. @Racerxrated, how'd you go about tweaking the controls to match the bypassed sound/feel?
Click to expand...
Keep in mind, my PS100 experience was 5-6 yrs ago. I did read somewhere that the design changed on these units but it didn't specify in what manner it changed.
I've got my 69 Plexi set as follows: Eq dimed, Vol 1 on 7, Vol 2 on 5. It easily hits VH1/VHII levels of gain....I'm straight in no boost. I'm in the upper L input only, no bridging the channels. The PS2A, the presence is at noon, Depth at 3pm. EQ is flat on the PS, and input button is set to high. I've got the volume set for quiet levels that you can talk over...no squish/compression at all, and sounds damn close to my resistive attenuator that is great sounding but you can cook a steak on it within 10 minutes of use.
 
DanTravis62 said:
Honestly I don't think there's any better attenuator for an old marshall - IMO it's vastly superior for that specific purpose

The real question is "which one" which only you can decide which features you need


I will say, in general, all models are feature-packed
Click to expand...
I’m not at all experienced with attenuators, but I can’t imagine anything sounding better than what I’m hearing here.
As far as features go, I don’t need much more than basic attenuation to be able to enjoy my 72 without killing everything in the house.
 
tallcoolone said:
How much time have you spent with the TAE? 😉
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Have you read about a couple Wizards, a vintage Marshall and HiWatt that had the OTs fry? Common denominator= Boss TAE. One of the Wizard owners was here on RT.....Sweetwater confirmed the Boss was defective. Of course, no one ponied up the cash to send the amp back to Rick for a new OT. Apparently the amp didn't see a load when the TAE was supposed to always have that part covered....
No thanks.
 
It was a great studio in New York back in the day. Seemed to have its own sound for sure.

Here's a list of famous recordings made there:

Chic: Chic - 1977
Chic: C'est Chic - 1978
Chic: Risqué - 1979[11]
Ian Hunter: You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic - 1979
Sister Sledge: We Are Family - 1979[11]
Bruce Springsteen: The River - 1980
Carly Simon: Come Upstairs - 1980
David Bowie: Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) - 1980
Diana Ross: Diana - 1980[11]
Dire Straits: Making Movies - 1980
Suicide: Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev - 1980
Diana Ross: Why Do Fools Fall in Love - 1981
Aerosmith: Rock in a Hard Place - 1982
David Bowie: Let's Dance - 1982[13]
Dire Straits: Love over Gold - 1982
John Waite: Ignition - 1982
Pat Metheny Group: Offramp (album) - 1982
Roxy Music: Avalon - 1982
Bob Dylan: Infidels - 1983
Bonnie Tyler: Faster Than the Speed of Night – 1983[14]
Keith Jarrett: Standards, Vol. 1 - 1983
Keith Jarrett: Changes - 1983
Keith Jarrett: Standards, Vol. 2 - 1983
Mark Knopfler: Local Hero (soundtrack) - 1983
Bon Jovi: Bon Jovi - 1984
Bruce Springsteen: Born in the U.S.A. - 1984
Madonna: Like a Virgin - 1984
Pat Metheny Group: First Circle - 1984
The Power Station: The Power Station - 1984
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble: Couldn't Stand the Weather - 1984
Bill Frisell: Rambler (1985)
Grace Jones: Slave to the Rhythm - 1985
Cyndi Lauper: True Colors - 1986
Lou Reed: Mistrial - 1986
Peter Gabriel: So - 1986
Bill Frisell: Lookout for Hope (1988)
James Taylor: Never Die Young - 1987
Pat Metheny Group: Still Life (Talking) - 1987
Bobby McFerrin: Simple Pleasures - 1988
Eurythmics: We Too Are One - 1989
Pat Metheny Group: Letter from Home - 1989
Carly Simon: My Romance - 1990
John Scofield: Time on My Hands - 1990
John Scofield: Meant to Be - 1991
Keith Jarrett: "Bye Bye Blackbird" - 1991
Pat Metheny Group: Secret Story - 1992
John Scofield Quartet: What We Do - 1993
Joshua Redman: Joshua Redman - 1993
Meat Loaf: Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell - 1993
Joshua Redman Quartet: MoodSwing - 1994
Diana Krall: Only Trust Your Heart - 1995
Joshua Redman: Freedom in the Groove - 1996
Michael Brecker: Tales from the Hudson - 1996 (2 Grammys)
Journey: Trial By Fire - 1996
Aerosmith: Nine Lives - 1996
Gary Burton with Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Roy Haynes, Dave Holland: Like Minds - 1998
Michael Brecker: Two Blocks from the Edge - 1998
The Black Crowes: By Your Side - 1999
Joe Jackson: Symphony No. 1 - 1999
Michael Brecker: Time Is of the Essence - 1999
Little Steven: Born Again Savage - 1999
Ryo Fukui: Ryo Fukui in New York - 1999
Journey: Arrival - 2001
Björk: Vespertine - 2001
Natalie Cole: Ask a Woman Who Knows - 2002
Hiromi: Another Mind - 2002
Norah Jones: Feels like Home - 2004
Anthrax: The Greater of Two Evils - 2004
John Mayer: Continuum - 2006
John Patitucci: Line by Line - 2006
Deborah Cox: Destination Moon - 2007
Dream Theater: Systematic Chaos - 2007
Herbie Hancock: River: The Joni Letters - 2007
 
I have 2 different models. The 100 feeds the center cab dry. Love the boost 2nd channel for leads. Then the 50 watt PS2A for my wet cabs which I got from Dan sometime back when. Even with no effects I cannot tell a difference between the two units.
 
Racerxrated said:
Have you read about a couple Wizards, a vintage Marshall and HiWatt that had the OTs fry? Common denominator= Boss TAE. One of the Wizard owners was here on RT.....Sweetwater confirmed the Boss was defective. Of course, no one ponied up the cash to send the amp back to Rick for a new OT. Apparently the amp didn't see a load when the TAE was supposed to always have that part covered....
No thanks.
Click to expand...
Lol, that list keeps growing the more time passes. Sweetwater ‘confirmed’ what exactly? It was one guy over on TGP and was almost surely user error. I’ve been using this thing daily for the past 7yrs, nothing comes close to doing what it does. Best piece of gear I’ve ever purchased and honestly it isn’t close.
 
tallcoolone said:
Lol, that list keeps growing the more time passes. Sweetwater ‘confirmed’ what exactly? It was one guy over on TGP and was almost surely user error. I’ve been using this thing daily for the past 7yrs, nothing comes close to doing what it does. Best piece of gear I’ve ever purchased and honestly it isn’t close.
Click to expand...
Wrong.

The user of the Wizard was here, and there was a thread on it. Listen, I was intrigued by the TAE and have used Boss stuff for years. Still do. But, the biggest most important part of my 69 Plexi is the OT.
No chance I risk it. The Fryette PS2A works and sounds fantastic.
I'm good.
 
PS100 is the single best thing I've spent my gear money on in years. Can't speak for the TAE's but obviously users will defend it strong. Fingers crossed on users OT.
 
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