Residential Voltage -- Amp Content

[Racerxrated]

Not sure why anyone spends that amount of money on a Brown Box. A variac can be dialed into the exact voltage you want and its way less expensive.

https://www.circuitspecialists.com/products/variac-variable-ac-ps05kva_with_digital_display

This. I have a Variac; I use it with my 72 Marshall as those early 70s power transformers want to see 110v in the US….which is why many old Marshalls have replaced PTs. Works great. 200$.

 

[Searay]

I swap amps alot less now that I have a variac. My only regret is I waited so long before trying one. The concern is that the unit you purchased is properly calibrated as the knob and markings are not not always accurate. I also disagree with the notion that the tone does not change. It is an audible difference as well as volume difference.

 

[PDC]

Not sure why anyone spends that amount of money on a Brown Box. A variac can be dialed into the exact voltage you want and its way less expensive.

https://www.circuitspecialists.com/products/variac-variable-ac-ps05kva_with_digital_display

I’ve got the red 10 amp version from the same place and I love it. I run all my amps at 110.

 

[Racerxrated]

I swap amps alot less now that I have a variac. My only regret is I waited so long before trying one. The concern is that the unit you purchased is properly calibrated as the knob and markings are not not always accurate. I also disagree with the notion that the tone does not change. It is an audible difference as well as volume difference.

I had to test mine also, with a multimeter to make sure. The dial is off by about 4 volts.

 

[Findthetone1]

So you guys using variacs, what is the best way to use one. Plug it into the wall outlet and plug a power conditoner (monster rackmount in my case) into it, or vice versa?

 

[Devin]

So you guys using variacs, what is the best way to use one. Plug it into the wall outlet and plug a power conditoner (monster rackmount in my case) into it, or vice versa?

I go wall > power conditioner > variac > amp

 

[MetalHeadMike]

A six pack of beer or 5th of your preferred hard stuff (or both in combination if that's your thing) and it'll sound great every time regardless of voltage...guess that'd get expensive too though...shit

 

[Findthetone1]

A six pack of beer or 5th of your preferred hard stuff (or both in combination if that's your thing) and it'll sound great every time regardless of voltage...guess that'd get expensive too though...shit

Yeah, the tone sounds great but the playing nosedives quite fast

 

[Panhead5]

A six pack of beer or 5th of your preferred hard stuff (or both in combination if that's your thing) and it'll sound great every time regardless of voltage...guess that'd get expensive too though...shit

Maybe that's all I needed !

 

[Banned by IK Multmedia]

I don't think i'd go as far as to say it does *nothing*, but if there is any difference it is super fucking subtle in my opinion (at least with the amps I own anyway).

Then again I never rebias my amps to the voltage I set with my variac; maybe that'd make a bigger difference

Probably on amps sensitive to volume like old Marshalls in their sweet spot of volume. Unless i got it wrong he is describing a major difference in tone

 

[Dale B]

The barometric pressure can make a difference too.

 

[fek]

I go wall > power conditioner > variac > amp

My flow is wall > variac > power conditioner > amps / pedal power supplies. That way everything that gets power from the wall is set to where the variac is set.

 

[Geo]

My flow is wall > variac > power conditioner > amps / pedal power supplies. That way everything that gets power from the wall is set to where the variac is set.

+1

 

[Racerxrated]

I only use the variac with my Marshall; those older PTs are expecting 110v. Rest of my amps sound good straight in to the wall outlet.