Incoming MP-1 FINALLY. Power amp? Info? Settings?

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nevusofota

nevusofota

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A few years ago I made a short list of amps and gear to be on the hunt for. Stuff that's responsible for the sounds and tones of 80's rock and metal that I love and have been influenced by (i.e. Vertical input JCM 800, Boss CE-2, RG550, etc). I've had an increased sense of urgency to acquire this gear because I've noticed a recent trend where prices are rapidly increasing and the quality of the gear for sale is getting worse.

The MP-1 preamp has been at the top of this list. Finally found a great deal on one recently that's in good cosmetic shape, no issues with pots/jacks/buttons/screen, has the early v1.38 software (as preferred by Michael Wagener and Nuno), and recently serviced including new internal battery and tubes. :rock:

Which power amp goes well with it? I prefer a single space solid state amp as SS was used by many of 80's rock guys (Wagener actually used a Macintosh SS stereo power amp in the studio for Extreme's album). Any other helpful info or comments about the MP-1 would be greatly appreciated.
 
nevusofota":3ii2pvxk said:
A few years ago I made a short list of amps and gear to be on the hunt for. Stuff that's responsible for the sounds and tones of 80's rock and metal that I love and have been influenced by (i.e. Vertical input JCM 800, Boss CE-2, RG550, etc). I've had an increased sense of urgency to acquire this gear because I've noticed a recent trend where prices are rapidly increasing and the quality of the gear for sale is getting worse.

The MP-1 preamp has been at the top of this list. Finally found a great deal on one recently that's in good cosmetic shape, no issues with pots/jacks/buttons/screen, has the early v1.38 software (as preferred by Michael Wagener and Nuno), and recently serviced including new internal battery and tubes. :rock:

Which power amp goes well with it? I prefer a single space solid state amp as SS was used by many of 80's rock guys (Wagener actually used a Macintosh SS stereo power amp in the studio for Extreme's album). Any other helpful info or comments about the MP-1 would be greatly appreciated.
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Well in keeping with the theme, I'd look for a Mosvalve Power amp. Most were two spaces, not sure they made a single space but they are great power amps. Also look into the Marshall Valvestate power amps. They did make those in single space. And of course ADA made some single space power amps as well as the original two space ADA amps.

All those are about as 80's as you could get.
 
Most of the older SS guitar power amps were underpowered and overpriced imo.

I'm quite happy with my Crown XLS. If you absolutely need 1U there's the Carvin DDCM200L, or the Matrix ones if you feel like shelling out more.
 
jabps":3r4s796e said:
nevusofota":3r4s796e said:
A few years ago I made a short list of amps and gear to be on the hunt for. Stuff that's responsible for the sounds and tones of 80's rock and metal that I love and have been influenced by (i.e. Vertical input JCM 800, Boss CE-2, RG550, etc). I've had an increased sense of urgency to acquire this gear because I've noticed a recent trend where prices are rapidly increasing and the quality of the gear for sale is getting worse.

The MP-1 preamp has been at the top of this list. Finally found a great deal on one recently that's in good cosmetic shape, no issues with pots/jacks/buttons/screen, has the early v1.38 software (as preferred by Michael Wagener and Nuno), and recently serviced including new internal battery and tubes. :rock:

Which power amp goes well with it? I prefer a single space solid state amp as SS was used by many of 80's rock guys (Wagener actually used a Macintosh SS stereo power amp in the studio for Extreme's album). Any other helpful info or comments about the MP-1 would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Well in keeping with the theme, I'd look for a Mosvalve Power amp. Most were two spaces, not sure they made a single space but they are great power amps. Also look into the Marshall Valvestate power amps. They did make those in single space. And of course ADA made some single space power amps as well as the original two space ADA amps.

All those are about as 80's as you could get.
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Yup, I'm thinking of either going Mosvalve or the ADA. They're currently are only going for a couple hundred bucks.
 
First off Congrats, second you will want to find on older BBE 442 or 422 unit to use inline with the MP-1. Trust me this is a must have not optional, you can thank me later.

As far as 1sp power amps the old Rocktron Velocity amps are good for SS, otherwise Mosvalve is the way to go.
 
mixn4him":snhlbgs0 said:
First off Congrats, second you will want to find on older BBE 442 or 422 unit to use inline with the MP-1. Trust me this is a must have not optional, you can thank me later.

As far as 1sp power amps the old Rocktron Velocity amps are good for SS, otherwise Mosvalve is the way to go.
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I used the BBE 422 with mine for years...DON'T DO IT!!! It sounds great in isolation but will kill you in a mix.
It took me far too long to figure that out...it's a total tone suck...steer clear.
As for power amps, the best match that I found was the Mesa 2:90
 
I ran mine with a MosValve, but honestly, it sounds 100% better slaved through one of my tube amps. I had an old Lee Jackson XLS that I ran the MP-1 into the effects return, and that was Nuno to a tee. (not that he used that setup exactly). Nuno's live rig was the ADA power amps (the two space ones). I would seriously try this before you buy anything. In addition, if you're going for that sound, you should spend the $80 and buy an original Quadraverb as well.

I also second leaving out the BBE Sonic Maximizer. I have one sitting on a shelf that I removed long ago. It sounds great when you first use it, so full, adds a lot of bass and high end. But, it also takes out all of the life and makes everything sound processed and sterile.
 
If you do go Mosvalve try and find the 500. Plenty loud. As someone posted, the Rocktron Velocity are nice as well. Again, though those are two spaces and you are looking for one so ADA Micro Tube, SS and the Marshall Valvestate stuff. Never had experience with the original two space ADA power amp.

Back in the day I ran my ADA MP-1 through the Mosvalve 500, as was posted above the 80 was just under powered. I changed to tube power amps and my first was the Boogie 50/50. What a fine power amp. Loved that thing. As my pre-amps changed I moved up to the 2:90 (awesome) and eventually to the Peavey Stereo 120, what a beast of a power amp. 8 6L6's, presence, resonance. Best PW I ever owned but it was a beast.

And yeah, as was said above...get a Quadraverb. In fact, I just retired mine after nearly 30 years. Well, retired my last one. As they broke down I'd just buy another for cheap and data dump my settings. Great sounding delays, don't give a crap what anyone says. And as long as you avoid the eq section in those things they are dead quite. Further agree with the BBE, it's fun to play around with at low volumes but it all gets lost once you start cranking with the band. I kept mine in my rack 'cause it looked good at the time but I never used it.
 
Check this out - you won´t be disappointed

http://www.freedomguitar.com/descriptio ... 0720105932

b158485830.1.jpg
 
I wouldn't get an old solid state power amp. Spend the bucks on a good tube power amp.

But that's just my opinion.
 
Congratulations on your purchase. Cool preamp. I own a pair of ADA Depot 3TM mod MP-1 preamps and still use mine on occasion. I ran mine with a solid state power amp when I used my rack rig onstage. I switched over to a stereo tube power amp. I used a Mesa Boogie 20/20 or a Strategy power amp. It makes the tone of MP-1 sound way better than any solid state power amp mentioned on this thread. Save your money and invest in a good quality stereo tube power amp. It's worth the investment.

Guitar George
 
nevusofota":1y7vdd60 said:
This looks like it may do the job but I have never heard of this company. Have you tried this amp? What do you like about it? Have you used it with an mp-1?
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Not with a MP1, I sold my ADA about 15 years ago.

I use it here:

exef_concrete-3-jpg.561994


What I like about it? It acts like a tubeamp, it has two modes, EL34 and 6L6,
even though its just a gimmick, it nicely describes the difference between
those type of tubes. Its way better than the Brunetti Rockit you see on top.

Never heard of Exef, no problem, thats what I´am here for

Jochen Koeckler, owner and mastermind of Exef has build
the first programmable amp ever in 1983 (Exef Memo)

exef-vorne-jpg.106860


His "Sixshooter" Preamp had a built in Cry Baby Wah, controlled with a remote (Volume Pedal)
so the signal stayed in the Rack. Long before Dunlop invented the Cry Baby Rack

maxresdefault.jpg
 
I would not soil my MP1 with an SS power amp.

First choice: ADA T100s (because authenticity pwns)
Second: Marshall EL-34 Dual Monobloc 100/100 (because you never know when you're going to need to do a stadium gig) or 50/50
Third: Mesa 50/50 (6L6s ain't all bad)

If you're insistent on SS; I would absolutely go with one of the ADAs if you can find a clean one.

FWIW, there is *zero* difference in sound between FW 1.38 and 2.01. The FW update only touched MIDI functionality. MW and Nuno are geniuses in their domain which apparently does not extend to electronics or engineering circuit design.

Also invest in a noise gate. :-) I had a Hush IIcx in my rack of doom back in the day. My MP-1 was noisy as f***.
 
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