Mesa: Mark series vs Triple Crown

[GlideOn]

Friend wants to purchase a big-boy Mesa amp that can do it all: ripping, tight high gain, crunch and cleans. Trying to keep at or under the 2k mark if possible, so considering used if that's an option in the Mesa world. Not a fan of the Rectos unless they are the 50w...I think they tend to fall apart at high volumes. Trying to steer him towards a good one that will be kept for many years to come.

I know of the Mark series that have virtually every feature you could want: pre and post EQ control, 2 or more channels but the all important stiffer 200uf mains filtering that keep it all tight and together (unlike the rectos, IMHO). These are absolutely a no-brainer, other than the fact they are a little...how do you say? Ugly? Hmmmm.

However, the newer kid on the block, the Triple Crown seems to compete at its' own game: three channels, post eq or pre eq controls (pre eq on the Mark) which can effectively switch between Mark or Recto inspired tones. The fact it has EL34s stock is a wash, also it can run 6L6 fine if desired. It's a much more handsome and traditional looking amp and seems to fly under the radar for some reason. Don't know, but these feel like they will be a collectable one day kike the early Marks or Rectos.

I've played around with both of these on Audio Assault Amp Locker and am kinda torn between the two as they both are crazy versatile and tone monsters.

However, there doesn't appear to be a schematic on the triple crowns out there...does it have the stiffer filtering section that makes the Mark series sound sooooo good at high volume?

Or maybe just in general: how do these two amps compare?

 

[Bossman415]

Get a used VII or JP2C. They can do it all. The Triple Crown is a cool amp but lacks a big bottom end.

I also wouldn’t look at the Triple Crown in regards to being an investment that’ll appreciate.

They didn’t sell very well and a TC100 tends to be had for $1,250 - $1,500 in good working condition.

FWIW I’ve had all these amps minus the VII. Buddies who’ve owned the VII and JP2C tend to say the VII is more flexible than the JP2C.

 

[BABMusic]

Kind of hard to describe them, but the Mark will have more bottom end and the option for a more scooped mid tone. It doesn't have to sound that way, but it can. Mark will also be more smooth, although the TC is pretty smooth as well. I've owned both families of amp and I preferred the Mark. I think there's better Marshall-inspired amps out there than the TC, but TC is not a bad amp. I liked it much more so than the Rectifiers. I just think if you're gonna go Mesa, why not go 100% Mesa? The Mark is that.

This guy made them sound fairly similar, but you can hear how the Mark just has a little more fuller, growly kind of sound.