Marshall 9200 - Give me one good reason.....

[rlord1974]

I have been GAS'ing for a Randall RT2/50, VHT 2/90/2, Mesa 2:90 or VHT 2/50/2 for some time now. I still am and regardless of the discussion to follow, I'm looking!

I currently have a Marshall 9200 2x100 watt power amp. 8 x 5881 power tubes. Although it sounds good, the real knock on it is it weighs 74 pounds! DAMN that hurts! Also, I really don't need a 200 watt power amp. I am a single 4x12" guy in all cases and like to stand 6 to 12 feet in front of my cabinet so I can really work the feedback of the amp when desired. Mostly large club shows and some open air festivals. Overall, a 50 watt power stage in total would probably suffice, but I think 100 watts is nice to have for the clean headroom.

OK, so here's the conundrum:

Given all of the issues friends and colleagues (and fellow forumites) have been experiencing with EL34's and even KT-88/6550's recently, why would I sell the Marshall to get an amp that runs on such tubes? The Marshall was designed to run on 5881's for the very reason that, at the time (i.e., the 90's), they were the most readily available and reliable power stage tube available. Oddly enough, 15 years later, they still are. Granted, maybe they don't have the "crunch" and midrange punch and harmonics of an EL34, but they sound great regardless and I have rarely ever had any tube issues.

Also, one other item: Anybody know if it's possible to safely run the 9200 with only 2 tubes per channel instead of the 4, in order to get the power down to just 50 watts per side?

Just looking for your thoughts. Peace!

[BTW: I realize the Mesa 2:90 runs on 6L6's, which is nice. However, it really is probably more power than I need, as already discussed. I mentioned it above because, well, if the right one came along I'd still be interested!]

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Put some high quality 6L6 tubes in it, bias it up correctly and you will not really care about the weight all that much.

I have the 9100 with some of the good older Svetlana 6L6's in it and it sounds really good.

 

[tweed]

Bounce it off the heads of some of the Baptists picketing RJD's funeral, it will add some extra mojo that will over rule the weight factor.

 

[rlord1974]

Put some high quality 6L6 tubes in it, bias it up correctly and you will not really care about the weight all that much.

I have the 9100 with some of the good older Svetlana 6L6's in it and it sounds really good.

Thanks for weighing in.

I know the 5881's are just a take on the 6L6 - is there any other adjustment/mod that needs to be done (other than biasing) when you switch from 5881's to 6L6's?

Also, have you ever tried Mesa 6L6GC's in your 9100? I have had great results with these in my Mesa T-Verb. I have never had one fail on me! <-- knock on wood

Finally.....do you know if it's possible to safely run the 9200 with only 2 tubes per channel instead of the 4, you know, in order to get the power down to just 50 watts per side?

Thanks again!

 

[screamindemon]

I have a mint VHT 50/2/50 power amp I may be willing to trade for you 9200.

Let me know if you are interested. I am looking for a 9200.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Put some high quality 6L6 tubes in it, bias it up correctly and you will not really care about the weight all that much.

I have the 9100 with some of the good older Svetlana 6L6's in it and it sounds really good.

Thanks for weighing in.

I know the 5881's are just a take on the 6L6 - is there any other adjustment/mod that needs to be done (other than biasing) when you switch from 5881's to 6L6's?

Also, have you ever tried Mesa 6L6GC's in your 9100? I have had great results with these in my Mesa T-Verb. I have never had one fail on me! <-- knock on wood

Finally.....do you know if it's possible to safely run the 9200 with only 2 tubes per channel instead of the 4, you know, in order to get the power down to just 50 watts per side?

Thanks again!

Only needs a bias adjustment. I got mine with the 5881's still in it. Never tried anything else. The Svetlanas were recommended to me by NBS Electronics (Lord Valve). Those older batch Svetlanas made it sound much bigger.

I believe the amp will run with two tubes pulled, don't ask me which ones though. Don't forget to adjust the speaker ohms to match it. But as most will tell you, it's not very much volume difference between 50/100 watts. I say keep the headroom.

The biggest concern is the height of the tubes. One of the four I got had to be swapped out because the glass was a little too tall, when compared to the rest of his stock, just seemed to be an oddball.