Difference between Fryette LS II, 2/50/2, PS2

[CarlF]

Cause I got the PS2 and I’m wondering how well it stands up to the other Fryette power amps

 

[7704A]

I think Steve talked about this somewhere. My understanding of it is that the Power Station's amp is made to be very transparent so as not to color things. The dedicated power amps aren't, they're made to sound like wicked good power sections, though some of them do have a super transparent setting for use with modelers and such. So if you're running stuff into the power station that doesn't already provide power amp mojo (e.g. a real amp's line out from a reactive load, or a modeler), you may feel like you're missing something compared to a less hifi amp like Fryette's other stuff.

 

[Findthetone1]

I think Steve talked about this somewhere. My understanding of it is that the Power Station's amp is made to be very transparent so as not to color things. The dedicated power amps aren't, they're made to sound like wicked good power sections, though some of them do have a super transparent setting for use with modelers and such. So if you're running stuff into the power station that doesn't already provide power amp mojo (e.g. a real amp's line out from a reactive load, or a modeler), you may feel like you're missing something compared to a less hifi amp like Fryette's other stuff.

That's the way I understand it as well.

 

[CarlF]

I think Steve talked about this somewhere. My understanding of it is that the Power Station's amp is made to be very transparent so as not to color things. The dedicated power amps aren't, they're made to sound like wicked good power sections, though some of them do have a super transparent setting for use with modelers and such. So if you're running stuff into the power station that doesn't already provide power amp mojo (e.g. a real amp's line out from a reactive load, or a modeler), you may feel like you're missing something compared to a less hifi amp like Fryette's other stuff.

Thanks! For my use, I think the Fryette LX II is the way to go.

 

[7704A]

Just remembered. I think Steve discussed the differences in one of the Malcontents' Power Amp Talk episodes.

 

[Bxlxaxkxe]

PS is ok as a standalone power amp for use with a preamp. 2/50/2 is much better. LXII is like a diet 2/50/2

 

[nightlight]

Here's a video of a Rectifier Recording preamp with a Fryette PS-2. Audio is recorded in my dinky recording, so apologies in advance.



The Richard Z signature guitar is running into the Rectifier Recording Preamp, which I've got hooked up to a Fryette PS-2. That's plugged into a Mesa Boogie 2x12 and an Orange 2x12. Both of those cabs have Celestion V30s in them. Notably, this time around I have miced up the Mesa Boogie cab instead of the Orange 2x12 with a Sennheiser E906. A Townsend Labs Sphere is being used to capture the sound room sound.

 

[Rackman]

Of the power amps under discussion, the PS-2 is kinda boring. It's a tube based 50w mono, fairly hi-fi sounding. I'd use it for modeler output or a speaker sim/reactive load but not preamp output. You can use it with a preamp but I wouldn't.

I like the LXII. It's 50W/side or 100W bridged. I use it in bridged mode. I own or have owned lots of other options (Hammer 320, SM100R, various Mesas and VHTs in the past). The Hammer 320 is my favorite, but it's 80 lbs by itself and 4u. The LXII gives pretty comparable sound and is 20lbs and 1u + 1/2u ventilation. I don't really hear much sound difference between the 2 50w flat-pack OTs and toroidal PT it uses, and the bigger transformers on the Hammer 320 (or SM100R which has the famous DeYoung iron - that I don't like as much as the 320).

I have limited time with the 2/50/2 but for my purposes the lack of a bridged mode drops it below the LXII. For your application it would probably be good. The 2/90/2 would be the beefier option, but I've never heard one in person. I used to have a 2150 a long time ago that I think something was wrong with and it kinda put me off Fryette for a while until I heard the LXII.

 

[alund]

Of the power amps under discussion, the PS-2 is kinda boring. It's a tube based 50w mono, fairly hi-fi sounding. I'd use it for modeler output or a speaker sim/reactive load but not preamp output. You can use it with a preamp but I wouldn't.

I like the LXII. It's 50W/side or 100W bridged. I use it in bridged mode. I own or have owned lots of other options (Hammer 320, SM100R, various Mesas and VHTs in the past). The Hammer 320 is my favorite, but it's 80 lbs by itself and 4u. The LXII gives pretty comparable sound and is 20lbs and 1u + 1/2u ventilation. I don't really hear much sound difference between the 2 50w flat-pack OTs and toroidal PT it uses, and the bigger transformers on the Hammer 320 (or SM100R which has the famous DeYoung iron - that I don't like as much as the 320).

I have limited time with the 2/50/2 but for my purposes the lack of a bridged mode drops it below the LXII. For your application it would probably be good. The 2/90/2 would be the beefier option, but I've never heard one in person. I used to have a 2150 a long time ago that I think something was wrong with and it kinda put me off Fryette for a while until I heard the LXII.

This is good info rackman. And you are 100% spot on with the Hammer 320. The Rivera power source is killer but too damn heavy to haul around. Btw there is a TBR 1-sl for sale now on RV Not mine. Just always interesting when those pop up. For those that know; these are killer amps. Anyway, I use the Seymour Duncan ktg2100 for my wet power source out of the Myasnikov X88 which is comparable to my VHT 2150. Not lighter though. I use the PS100 for center dry signal.

 

[PhilC]

I thought I read the LXII is 2 ps2 power sections and is meant to be more transparent for use with modelers while the 2/50/2 and 2/90/2 are like amp power amp sections. I know I read that somewhere. Not true?

I’m still using an old 2:90 and I’m fine with that.

 

[CarlF]

Of the power amps under discussion, the PS-2 is kinda boring. It's a tube based 50w mono, fairly hi-fi sounding. I'd use it for modeler output or a speaker sim/reactive load but not preamp output. You can use it with a preamp but I wouldn't.

I like the LXII. It's 50W/side or 100W bridged. I use it in bridged mode. I own or have owned lots of other options (Hammer 320, SM100R, various Mesas and VHTs in the past). The Hammer 320 is my favorite, but it's 80 lbs by itself and 4u. The LXII gives pretty comparable sound and is 20lbs and 1u + 1/2u ventilation. I don't really hear much sound difference between the 2 50w flat-pack OTs and toroidal PT it uses, and the bigger transformers on the Hammer 320 (or SM100R which has the famous DeYoung iron - that I don't like as much as the 320).

I have limited time with the 2/50/2 but for my purposes the lack of a bridged mode drops it below the LXII. For your application it would probably be good. The 2/90/2 would be the beefier option, but I've never heard one in person. I used to have a 2150 a long time ago that I think something was wrong with and it kinda put me off Fryette for a while until I heard

I’ve been testing it out last night and this morning. The X88ir is amazing. The PS2 is kind of boring.

 

[7704A]

I thought I read the LXII is 2 ps2 power sections and is meant to be more transparent for use with modelers while the 2/50/2 and 2/90/2 are like amp power amp sections. I know I read that somewhere. Not true?

Not quite. The LXII has a "Linear" mode for using like you described, and an "Enhanced" mode for non-modeler use.

 

[skoora]

I would dig a 2-50-2 and I don’t even need a power amp per se. Had a Mesa 50/50 for the Quad I used to have and that was actually a good one but sold it after I sold the Quad. My balls would love to get a Marshall 50/50 or 100/100, EL34 power amp but I’d be getting the volume knobs to 1/2 of 1 and breaking my back while getting it in a rack

 

[Rackman]

Not quite. The LXII has a "Linear" mode for using like you described, and an "Enhanced" mode for non-modeler use.

Yeah. I find the high boost is needed, but at least for my setup I can take or leave the low boost. As far as I'm concerned the frequency response is fine. I'm a little more focused on the dynamic headroom and transient reproduction (where the "thump" of a big boy amp comes from), where IMO it does well. I was concerned the flat pack transformers might be deficient in that respect, but I'm happy.

 

[CarlF]

Ordered the LX II. I’m in a small room and I don’t need fire breathing power, so this is gonna be perfect for me.

 

[mentoneman]

the 2150 is cool and i like the punch of my old kt-88 VHT 2-90-2 more than the newer power stations and LX. but i’m way more into boogie power amps because they are sweeter for leads and the highs on the cleans aren’t as stiff.

the x99 / 2150 high gain tones sound great here