Is there any power amp better than a Fryette PS-2/PS100 for a modeller?

[nightlight]

I have a Fryette PS-2 that does a lot of things in my dinky studio. It's a reactive load, an attenuator and a power amp. When I run one of my modellers through it, I always get a big grin on my face. It doesn't colour the tone and the sound of my modeller comes through.

Thing is, I really want to get a Quad Cortex again because playing live at my house has become a bit of an issue of late and I don't have any place where I can go and jam out at the moment due to my personal situation.

I'm absolutely sure that the PS-2 would be the perfect power amp to pair with the QC. It would also be the perfect rig to gig with should I ever decide to hazard that road again.

I do have a few other power amps though: a VHT 2902, Engl E840 and a Mesa 2:100. I think I would be happy pairing the modeller with the 2902, but at the same time, I just think of how difficult it would be to have to lug a 2902 around for practice and jams.

Any suggestions? Seems like it would be a lot easier to get a Quad Cortex than a PS-2 in local voltage (240V) the way Fryette builds in small batches. Given that I also use the Fryette for loading down amps and attenuation, I bet I will miss it within a day or two of selling it.

 

[chumbucket]

I personally don't care for the way that tube power amps color the sound of modelers. You're already modeling the power section anyway.
The Avantone CLA series of MOSfet power amps are great. The best thing I've found for running a modeler into a 4x12. They've just announced the new GTR-100 version especially designed for modelers.

https://avantonepro.com/en/products/amplifiers

 

[fek]

Big Hairy Guitars did a shootout comparing VHT/Fryette power amps and the Powerstation was in there. It held up quite well and I actually preferred the PS to some of the big dogs. And you are correct. Moving the PS would be a lot easier than one of your others.

I don't use modelers so I can't comment on the power amp simulations, but most turn that off when using a power amp I thought.

 

[romanianreaper]

I personally don't care for the way that tube power amps color the sound of modelers. You're already modeling the power section anyway.
The Avantone CLA series of MOSfet power amps are great. The best thing I've found for running a modeler into a 4x12. They've just announced the new GTR-100 version especially designed for modelers.

https://avantonepro.com/en/products/amplifiers

I love my Fryette PS-2A but I tell ya, I used to gig with a Mosvalve power amp and my gig sound kicked ass with a Tech 21 PSA-1.

 

[bikerdude2]

I run mine into a Quilter and it’s perfect for what I do.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

The 2/90/2 sucks. You should send it to me, so that you dont have to look at it anymore

 

[Promit]

I personally think the KSR PA-50 (or 50/100R) does a better job, and the NFB control lets you customize the feel a little bit. Yes, it's sort of an artificial extra layer of tubeyness over the modeled tube power amp, but I enjoy it so everyone complaining can shove it.

I have tested the Mesa 50/50 and it is also great, but a little more colored and no depth knob. I had a Peavey Classic 50/50, which is 8x EL84, also very good but another step more colored and starting to introduce a noticeable mid shift. The return of my EVH 5150 III 50W EL34 also works fantastic as a modeler power amp.

 

[Randy R]

I run a mesa boogie 100/100 or a 2/90 with my quad cortex and getting some great sounds

 

[vultures]

I personally don't care for the way that tube power amps color the sound of modelers. You're already modeling the power section anyway.
The Avantone CLA series of MOSfet power amps are great. The best thing I've found for running a modeler into a 4x12. They've just announced the new GTR-100 version especially designed for modelers.

https://avantonepro.com/en/products/amplifiers

Yeah I agree. I capture amps with the power section. I don't want my ENGL captures coloured by a Mesa power amp or my Vox captures to be coloured by a VHT power amp. I use a Seymour Duncan Powerstage 170 for single cabs. I also use a Powerstage 700 to run 6 cabs in my studio. Gives the flattest sound, just pure power.

 

[DanTravis62]

I mean depends what youre doing with it.

If you're using an IR with the modeler? yes.

If you're not? Something like a 2150 or a strategy is prob better.

The power station is so useful I can't imagine anyone getting rid of it, unless like me you have to

 

[nightlight]

I mean depends what youre doing with it.

If you're using an IR with the modeler? yes.

If you're not? Something like a 2150 or a strategy is prob better.

The power station is so useful I can't imagine anyone getting rid of it, unless like me you have to

I'm in a similar situation, I absolutely have to part with some gear to meet financial goals after my source of income was interrupted.

I was reading @romanianreaper 's post about using it with Synergy models, so that definitely weighs on my decision.

I normally don't use IRs when I'm running a modeller into a real cab via the Fryette PS-2. But I can imagine the need to do so if I ever got FRFR cabs.

I run a mesa boogie 100/100 or a 2/90 with my quad cortex and getting some great sounds

That's good to hear, especially about the 2/90. I'm guessing it would be great to run the modeller with my 2902 as well, since that is relatively flat until you really open it up.

The 2/90/2 sucks. You should send it to me, so that you dont have to look at it anymore

Sure, man. Give me your address and I'll come deliver it at your doorstep.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I'm in a similar situation, I absolutely have to part with some gear to meet financial goals after my source of income was interrupted.

I was reading @romanianreaper 's post about using it with Synergy models, so that definitely weighs on my decision.

I normally don't use IRs when I'm running a modeller into a real cab via the Fryette PS-2. But I can imagine the need to do so if I ever got FRFR cabs.


That's good to hear, especially about the 2/90. I'm guessing it would be great to run the modeller with my 2902 as well, since that is relatively flat until you really open it up.

Sure, man. Give me your address and I'll come deliver it at your doorstep.

The 2/90/2 is definitely my favorite power amp. But i loved the ps100 also

 

[nightlight]

The 2/90/2 is definitely my favorite power amp. But i loved the ps100 also

I'm now thinking of moving it on and then picking up a PS100. Would be killer to have that much power, though I doubt there'd be anyplace I could crank it that loud.

At the same time, money is tight. I'm trying to move a tonne of gear, mainly amps, while hanging on to guitars if I can.

That's kind of leading me down the modeller path again. I figure the Quad Cortex is the one to beat these days, so hoping to snag one.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Have you tried synergy? That SLOii through the 2/90/2 is the best damn tone and feel of anything I have played

 

[nightlight]

Have you tried synergy? That SLOii through the 2/90/2 is the best damn tone and feel of anything I have played

Haven't tried a Synergy amp/module yet. I vacillated when there was one near me and then it was gone.

But that's helpful. I'm going to try one of my plugins through the 2902 to see what it sounds like and compare to the PS-2. If I like what I'm hearing, I may just move the PS2 along.

 

[Rottweiler]

I'm now thinking of moving it on and then picking up a PS100. Would be killer to have that much power, though I doubt there'd be anyplace I could crank it that loud.

At the same time, money is tight. I'm trying to move a tonne of gear, mainly amps, while hanging on to guitars if I can.

That's kind of leading me down the modeller path again. I figure the Quad Cortex is the one to beat these days, so hoping to snag one.

The ability to switch channels on the PS100 is a nice feature

 

[Shask]

I'm now thinking of moving it on and then picking up a PS100. Would be killer to have that much power, though I doubt there'd be anyplace I could crank it that loud.

At the same time, money is tight. I'm trying to move a tonne of gear, mainly amps, while hanging on to guitars if I

Probably really depends on if you want stereo or not.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Haven't tried a Synergy amp/module yet. I vacillated when there was one near me and then it was gone.

But that's helpful. I'm going to try one of my plugins through the 2902 to see what it sounds like and compare to the PS-2. If I like what I'm hearing, I may just move the PS2 along.

The slo sounded dark through it at first. And i wasnt happy. There is some button on the 2/90/2 that brought that low mid alive

 

[romanianreaper]

I personally think the KSR PA-50 (or 50/100R) does a better job, and the NFB control lets you customize the feel a little bit. Yes, it's sort of an artificial extra layer of tubeyness over the modeled tube power amp, but I enjoy it so everyone complaining can shove it.

I have tested the Mesa 50/50 and it is also great, but a little more colored and no depth knob. I had a Peavey Classic 50/50, which is 8x EL84, also very good but another step more colored and starting to introduce a noticeable mid shift. The return of my EVH 5150 III 50W EL34 also works fantastic as a modeler power amp.

I wanted one of those before I got the Fryette. I contacted KSR via email and called them and heard nothing back. I kept reading about backlogs and new ordering tools, etc but could never figire out what is going on.

The KSR looks like a perfect solution but I can't wait months for a product I might have to wait longer for.

 

[fek]

Maybe I am reading something incorrectly, but does the PS-100 only have one speaker out? I run two 4X12's with a PS-2. Thought about moving to the PS-100 but want to run two cabs.