Y
Ylmzmert
New member
I mostly considered myself as a "Mark" kind of and used to have Studio Preamp, Quad Preamp, Triaxis and for 5 years I own Mark V. (Always gassing for Mark IIC+ but, maybe someday...) But came across a good deal of 2010 Rectifier, approximately about 1000$.
But It was kind of different, more stiff, not fizzy as current multiwatts, and low end thump was totally out of this world, and noticed that the amp has the Eurotubes Integrated Quad Set on the power side, which is consised of KT88/KT66. Before I continue to explain my humble experience, I kindly remind that I had no afilliation or endorsement from any company. Everything I write down is just my 2 cents.
Eurotubes KT88/KT66 Integrated Quad = Thats my current set being used, the preamp section is I believe also JJ ECC83S high gain. They are running at 6L6 mode, no matter you select the tube or silicon diodes for rectification. Immediate attack, tight and full bottom end definitely works best with my baritone guitars for metalcore / djenty stuff. But the low gain tones are kind of dull and lifeless and without Maxon OD808 not enough gain for modern metal stuff. In 6L6 mode ,Bold and Diode rectifier, where the amp pushes its maximum plate voltage potential, KT88 draw about 32mA of plate current which are considerably cold. Normally the fixed bias of the Dual Rectifier on 6L6 side is very very cold (appx. about 18-19 mA) so the KT66s are running pretty cold also. As far as reliability issues are concerned, this amp is used on this configuration for about 3-5 years, and the last 5-10 months on high volumes, still works like charm.
Eurotubes KT88 on EL34 Mode = This is where fun begins. On the page of eurotubes Amp Info Section, there are plenty of useful information about amps, I was just checking the Dual Rectifier and Franken Rectifier thing which is Recto on full quad of KT88. Don't get me wrong, a quad of KT88 won't make your amp 200 watts, but they are definitely increase your headroom and bottom end tracking capabilities. Just pulled up the middle pair of KT66's and run the amplifier on 50 watt mode. It is written on the manual that multiwatt rectos use outer pair of tubes when 50 watt mode. So I set the amplifier on EL34 mode, Tube Rectifier (currently Mesa 5U4GB) and Spongy mode. Voila! Increased upper mid content, almost Marshally but completely clear complex midrange and even the gain is noon considerably much gain than the 6L6 mode. Soo delicious! I just could not stop playing with my Les Paul for an hour, then I stopped and here i am writing that. Raw and Vintage modes never sounded so good. Then I checked for the bias values in order to be sure whether it is safe to run that amplifier on this mode and I read 42mA which is hotter than the 6L6 mode but still cold for KT88's. Although it was cold, the sound was truly enormous on th 4x12 Recto cab. Afterwards tried for Bold setting and 50mA of Plate Current, not so much different from the Spongy mode but still wonderful. CAUTION : Just for the experimental purposes set the amplifier for Silicone Diode tracking and Bold setting and bias jumped around 88-90mA which is pretty high and shortens the tube life, also the likelihood of tube breakdown. As per the clean channel, it stays clean no matter what you do, no matter how hard you hit the strings. Clean and crunch also became much more alive on that configuration.
Stock 2017 Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier = Just write it for control purposes, tried an completely stock triple recto for comparing. It was definitely fizzy, lack of mid emphasis and even quieter compared to my KT88 Dual. It was also tried on 4x12 Recto OS cab. I guess little more tweaking it will approach to the 6l6 mode KT88/66s but nothing close to the EL34 mode KT88 configuration.
Rectifiers have EL34/6L6 switches on the back side as you know, and also Bold,Spongy or Tube/Diode rectifier selection.Help of these, you may alter the Plate Voltage and Current on the tubes correspondingly. Because of the power amp working regimen change, overall feel and the sound of the amp changes completely. For the ones worrying about the transformers, EL34's typically draw about 1.4 1.5 amps for their heater currents and KT88s draw about 1.6 amps. So as far as the heater current limitation of the power transformer we are on the safe side, because on the manual Mesa says you may run EL34 kind of tubes, and because of the poor quality of the current production EL34s they suggest them to be used on Tube Rect. mod.
Now I ordered quad of KT77s, pair of 6V6S, pair of EL34L, pair of 6CA7 also. I read about almost all the internet and there is no one explaining it thoroughly, I will continue to experiment and pair different tubes and write down new conclusions. I risk my amplifier I know it but I have the chance of getting correct components and repair it, please consider it, I am not suggesting anyone to do anything that is not written on the user manual, but hey it is Mesa, they are pretty f*..in solid!
Soo the upcoming combinations that I will try are;
1- Quad of KT77's on EL34 mode.
2- Pair of KT77s and pair of 6V6S on EL34 mode ( yes 6V6S on EL34)
3- Quad of KT88 on EL34 mode (I guess I will stick with that)
4- Pair of KT88 and Pair of 6CA7s on EL34 mode
5- Pair of KT88 and Pair of KT77s on EL34 mode
6- Pair of KT88 and Pair of EL34L on EL34 mode
7- Pair of EL34L and Pair of 6V6S on EL34 mode (blues guys might like that, earlier breakup saggy response i am expecting)
8- Pair of 6CA7 and Pair of 6V6S on EL34 mode (same as above?
9- Maybe a quad of 6V6S on EL34 mode, even lower wattage rectifier with molten,sweet 6V6S tone.
Please be careful while dealing your tube amps inside out, they are running on lethal voltages. I have Electrics and Electronical Engineering degree , and have general knowledge of high voltage applications. If I fry my amp down, I will definitely let you know.
Cheers.
But It was kind of different, more stiff, not fizzy as current multiwatts, and low end thump was totally out of this world, and noticed that the amp has the Eurotubes Integrated Quad Set on the power side, which is consised of KT88/KT66. Before I continue to explain my humble experience, I kindly remind that I had no afilliation or endorsement from any company. Everything I write down is just my 2 cents.
Eurotubes KT88/KT66 Integrated Quad = Thats my current set being used, the preamp section is I believe also JJ ECC83S high gain. They are running at 6L6 mode, no matter you select the tube or silicon diodes for rectification. Immediate attack, tight and full bottom end definitely works best with my baritone guitars for metalcore / djenty stuff. But the low gain tones are kind of dull and lifeless and without Maxon OD808 not enough gain for modern metal stuff. In 6L6 mode ,Bold and Diode rectifier, where the amp pushes its maximum plate voltage potential, KT88 draw about 32mA of plate current which are considerably cold. Normally the fixed bias of the Dual Rectifier on 6L6 side is very very cold (appx. about 18-19 mA) so the KT66s are running pretty cold also. As far as reliability issues are concerned, this amp is used on this configuration for about 3-5 years, and the last 5-10 months on high volumes, still works like charm.
Eurotubes KT88 on EL34 Mode = This is where fun begins. On the page of eurotubes Amp Info Section, there are plenty of useful information about amps, I was just checking the Dual Rectifier and Franken Rectifier thing which is Recto on full quad of KT88. Don't get me wrong, a quad of KT88 won't make your amp 200 watts, but they are definitely increase your headroom and bottom end tracking capabilities. Just pulled up the middle pair of KT66's and run the amplifier on 50 watt mode. It is written on the manual that multiwatt rectos use outer pair of tubes when 50 watt mode. So I set the amplifier on EL34 mode, Tube Rectifier (currently Mesa 5U4GB) and Spongy mode. Voila! Increased upper mid content, almost Marshally but completely clear complex midrange and even the gain is noon considerably much gain than the 6L6 mode. Soo delicious! I just could not stop playing with my Les Paul for an hour, then I stopped and here i am writing that. Raw and Vintage modes never sounded so good. Then I checked for the bias values in order to be sure whether it is safe to run that amplifier on this mode and I read 42mA which is hotter than the 6L6 mode but still cold for KT88's. Although it was cold, the sound was truly enormous on th 4x12 Recto cab. Afterwards tried for Bold setting and 50mA of Plate Current, not so much different from the Spongy mode but still wonderful. CAUTION : Just for the experimental purposes set the amplifier for Silicone Diode tracking and Bold setting and bias jumped around 88-90mA which is pretty high and shortens the tube life, also the likelihood of tube breakdown. As per the clean channel, it stays clean no matter what you do, no matter how hard you hit the strings. Clean and crunch also became much more alive on that configuration.
Stock 2017 Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier = Just write it for control purposes, tried an completely stock triple recto for comparing. It was definitely fizzy, lack of mid emphasis and even quieter compared to my KT88 Dual. It was also tried on 4x12 Recto OS cab. I guess little more tweaking it will approach to the 6l6 mode KT88/66s but nothing close to the EL34 mode KT88 configuration.
Rectifiers have EL34/6L6 switches on the back side as you know, and also Bold,Spongy or Tube/Diode rectifier selection.Help of these, you may alter the Plate Voltage and Current on the tubes correspondingly. Because of the power amp working regimen change, overall feel and the sound of the amp changes completely. For the ones worrying about the transformers, EL34's typically draw about 1.4 1.5 amps for their heater currents and KT88s draw about 1.6 amps. So as far as the heater current limitation of the power transformer we are on the safe side, because on the manual Mesa says you may run EL34 kind of tubes, and because of the poor quality of the current production EL34s they suggest them to be used on Tube Rect. mod.
Now I ordered quad of KT77s, pair of 6V6S, pair of EL34L, pair of 6CA7 also. I read about almost all the internet and there is no one explaining it thoroughly, I will continue to experiment and pair different tubes and write down new conclusions. I risk my amplifier I know it but I have the chance of getting correct components and repair it, please consider it, I am not suggesting anyone to do anything that is not written on the user manual, but hey it is Mesa, they are pretty f*..in solid!
Soo the upcoming combinations that I will try are;
1- Quad of KT77's on EL34 mode.
2- Pair of KT77s and pair of 6V6S on EL34 mode ( yes 6V6S on EL34)
3- Quad of KT88 on EL34 mode (I guess I will stick with that)
4- Pair of KT88 and Pair of 6CA7s on EL34 mode
5- Pair of KT88 and Pair of KT77s on EL34 mode
6- Pair of KT88 and Pair of EL34L on EL34 mode
7- Pair of EL34L and Pair of 6V6S on EL34 mode (blues guys might like that, earlier breakup saggy response i am expecting)
8- Pair of 6CA7 and Pair of 6V6S on EL34 mode (same as above?
9- Maybe a quad of 6V6S on EL34 mode, even lower wattage rectifier with molten,sweet 6V6S tone.
Please be careful while dealing your tube amps inside out, they are running on lethal voltages. I have Electrics and Electronical Engineering degree , and have general knowledge of high voltage applications. If I fry my amp down, I will definitely let you know.
Cheers.
