Salvation Audio SM2

[CrazyNutz]

I'm thinking the weakness really is the design at the front end of MTS. If you think about it.. you sort of have this neutral preamp section which has to pair with the preamp in the module. So it routes through first tube, into the module, back out to the phase inverter, then on to the power amp. The "punch" is the difference I notice too though I suspect that for the comparison to really be fair, you would have to open the volume on the module all the way up and get the master past 4 on the RM50 or 100 to really see. For example, the Scary module vs my Myasnikov preamp really is no comparison in clarity and punch as well. I might check out the salvation Fender and Vox offerings. I would love something AC30'ish and I can't decide whether or not to go for JF's AC30 or something Salvation. More and more though, I like the stand alone preamp idea.

I replaced the .1uf coupling cap in the input circuit on my rm100 with a SoZo nexgen .1uf, for a nice improvement, also a tung-sol 12ax7 there is a must. But yeah I fully agree with the lack of punch. You could play around with the cathode resistor, and bypass cap. Clearly 2.7k/.68uf Would be a stark improvement for any marshally style mod. You could add a switch.

There is something I notice too when I mod the MTS modules. They sound way better and clearer when they are out of the metal tray, just PCB pushed into the slot.
I suspect there is a capacitive effect that is leaching some highs with the tray.

 

[JerEvil]

Hey guys,

Just a little update on these babies....They'll be going into full production shortly and become much more readily available...Price will be 1190 + shipping for any combination from http://www.motorcitymods.com ... You can find me on FB https://www.facebook.com/matthew.figurski.9, if anyone wants to chat about this product....

Holy sh*t! That's spendy for a 2 channel pre. I'm out! LOL!

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Hey guys,

Just a little update on these babies....They'll be going into full production shortly and become much more readily available...Price will be 1190 + shipping for any combination from http://www.motorcitymods.com ... You can find me on FB https://www.facebook.com/matthew.figurski.9, if anyone wants to chat about this product....

Holy sh*t! That's spendy for a 2 channel pre. I'm out! LOL!

It's not that horrible though when you think about it. For a lot of rack preamps with options for tone sculpting you are in the 600 range and here you get two separate flavours so not that bad really. I would say fairly standard. However, if you compare to some amps you can buy used in the 1200$ range like a quickrod for example, maybe it is spendy but again, you get two separate circuits here. Don't forget also that you are down 800$ for two Synergy modules before the SYN-1 or 2 that it takes to run them. This is a stand alone preamp.

 

[shred-o-holic]

I bet a Camerock/Mamba preamp would be badass

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I'm thinking the weakness really is the design at the front end of MTS. If you think about it.. you sort of have this neutral preamp section which has to pair with the preamp in the module. So it routes through first tube, into the module, back out to the phase inverter, then on to the power amp. The "punch" is the difference I notice too though I suspect that for the comparison to really be fair, you would have to open the volume on the module all the way up and get the master past 4 on the RM50 or 100 to really see. For example, the Scary module vs my Myasnikov preamp really is no comparison in clarity and punch as well. I might check out the salvation Fender and Vox offerings. I would love something AC30'ish and I can't decide whether or not to go for JF's AC30 or something Salvation. More and more though, I like the stand alone preamp idea.

I replaced the .1uf coupling cap in the input circuit on my rm100 with a SoZo nexgen .1uf, for a nice improvement, also a tung-sol 12ax7 there is a must. But yeah I fully agree with the lack of punch. You could play around with the cathode resistor, and bypass cap. Clearly 2.7k/.68uf Would be a stark improvement for any marshally style mod. You could add a switch.

There is something I notice too when I mod the MTS modules. They sound way better and clearer when they are out of the metal tray, just PCB pushed into the slot.
I suspect there is a capacitive effect that is leaching some highs with the tray.

Interesting about the metal tray... that i will have to try out. I sort of feel that the MDA board replacement or Foglifter go a long long way in getting a bit of this punch back but your input coupling cap idea is interesting too.

 

[shred-o-holic]

Thing is for me I have gotten away from racks. Somehow putting this in a pedal or floorboard format would be awesome. Sounds really good though..

 

[JerEvil]

Hey guys,

Just a little update on these babies....They'll be going into full production shortly and become much more readily available...Price will be 1190 + shipping for any combination from http://www.motorcitymods.com ... You can find me on FB https://www.facebook.com/matthew.figurski.9, if anyone wants to chat about this product....

Holy sh*t! That's spendy for a 2 channel pre. I'm out! LOL!

It's not that horrible though when you think about it. For a lot of rack preamps with options for tone sculpting you are in the 600 range and here you get two separate flavours so not that bad really. I would say fairly standard. However, if you compare to some amps you can buy used in the 1200$ range like a quickrod for example, maybe it is spendy but again, you get two separate circuits here. Don't forget also that you are down 800$ for two Synergy modules before the SYN-1 or 2 that it takes to run them. This is a stand alone preamp.

Sure I got you BUT if you want 2 more sounds, you're now $500+/- more than a Syn-2 and 4 modules. Then any more you buy that margin increases. I'd suspect resale may be a challenge as well.

Don't get me wrong, I think this is a killer sounding unit. I ain't here to shit in anyone's Wheaties.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I'm not getting the Math here, syn2 + 4 modules cost about 2600- that's more than (2) SM2s (?) Or any way you slice it, Syn is more, but they offer dual modules. SM2 is not module but has lots of cool toggles and custom options

But apples and oranges- SM2 is not dual modules but offers way better hi gain metal choices. This Mamba is hauntingly good, asis the OR100.

Syn may be a good move for more traditional tones or Friedman lovers...but then you could get an affordable Friedman for the price ....round and round the GAS goes!

 

[Mattfig]

I'm not getting the Math here, syn2 + 4 modules cost about 2600- that's more than (2) SM2s (?) Or any way you slice it, Syn is more, but they offer dual modules. SM2 is not module but has lots of cool toggles and custom options

But apples and oranges- SM2 is not dual modules but offers way better hi gain metal choices. This Mamba is hauntingly good, asis the OR100.

Syn may be a good move for more traditional tones or Friedman lovers...but then you could get an affordable Friedman for the price ....round and round the GAS goes!

Yep....Was thinking the same thing Ray....It's a reasonable price for what you are getting....Top shelf, tried and true tone!

The Salvation circuits are amazing and the plethora of toggles to shape it further are the best in the business to me....That's why we'll be carrying the SM2 at Motor City beginning in Janurary 2018!

 

[CrazyNutz]

Interesting about the metal tray... that i will have to try out. I sort of feel that the MDA board replacement or Foglifter go a long long way in getting a bit of this punch back but your input coupling cap idea is interesting too.

Yeah, I have a fog lifter in mine. These amps are unusable without a foglifter, or MDA installed IMHO

 

[Mattfig]

Interesting about the metal tray... that i will have to try out. I sort of feel that the MDA board replacement or Foglifter go a long long way in getting a bit of this punch back but your input coupling cap idea is interesting too.

Yeah, I have a fog lifter in mine. These amps are unusable without a foglifter, or MDA installed IMHO

You have to tweak the circuit yourself or install MDA or Foglifter for sure with RM Amps....IDK what Randall was doing with them, especially the early versions of RM100....

Nice to see ya here CrazyNutz!

 

[JerEvil]

I'm not getting the Math here, syn2 + 4 modules cost about 2600- that's more than (2) SM2s (?) Or any way you slice it, Syn is more, but they offer dual modules. SM2 is not module but has lots of cool toggles and custom options

But apples and oranges- SM2 is not dual modules but offers way better hi gain metal choices. This Mamba is hauntingly good, asis the OR100.

Syn may be a good move for more traditional tones or Friedman lovers...but then you could get an affordable Friedman for the price ....round and round the GAS goes!

They would cost the same actually. $2400. To be fair, I am not buying the Synergy stuff either... so my opinion is void. Carry on. I still think it looks cool and your vid sounded excellent. Synergy will be foolish if they DON'T get on board wth heavier stuff. I know Engl and Fryette have modules coming but they need to look at stuff like Driftwood, KSR, Peters... those would be really cool options and get them competitive.

If they stick to Marshall flavor it'll get old quick.

At least with the Salvation stuff it's a pretty wide spread of tones available. Someone REALLY needs to make a power amp like the one Randall had that had 6L6 and EL34's but can take KT88's and other glass.

 

[Mattfig]

I'm not getting the Math here, syn2 + 4 modules cost about 2600- that's more than (2) SM2s (?) Or any way you slice it, Syn is more, but they offer dual modules. SM2 is not module but has lots of cool toggles and custom options

But apples and oranges- SM2 is not dual modules but offers way better hi gain metal choices. This Mamba is hauntingly good, asis the OR100.

Syn may be a good move for more traditional tones or Friedman lovers...but then you could get an affordable Friedman for the price ....round and round the GAS goes!

They would cost the same actually. $2400. To be fair, I am not buying the Synergy stuff either... so my opinion is void. Carry on. I still think it looks cool and your vid sounded excellent. Synergy will be foolish if they DON'T get on board wth heavier stuff. I know Engl and Fryette have modules coming but they need to look at stuff like Driftwood, KSR, Peters... those would be really cool options and get them competitive.

If they stick to Marshall flavor it'll get old quick.

At least with the Salvation stuff it's a pretty wide spread of tones available. Someone REALLY needs to make a power amp like the one Randall had that had 6L6 and EL34's but can take KT88's and other glass.

The RT2/50 can handle standard and big glass....I have one....If you're interested....

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I'm not getting the Math here, syn2 + 4 modules cost about 2600- that's more than (2) SM2s (?) Or any way you slice it, Syn is more, but they offer dual modules. SM2 is not module but has lots of cool toggles and custom options

But apples and oranges- SM2 is not dual modules but offers way better hi gain metal choices. This Mamba is hauntingly good, asis the OR100.

Syn may be a good move for more traditional tones or Friedman lovers...but then you could get an affordable Friedman for the price ....round and round the GAS goes!

They would cost the same actually. $2400. To be fair, I am not buying the Synergy stuff either... so my opinion is void. Carry on. I still think it looks cool and your vid sounded excellent. Synergy will be foolish if they DON'T get on board wth heavier stuff. I know Engl and Fryette have modules coming but they need to look at stuff like Driftwood, KSR, Peters... those would be really cool options and get them competitive.

If they stick to Marshall flavor it'll get old quick.

At least with the Salvation stuff it's a pretty wide spread of tones available. Someone REALLY needs to make a power amp like the one Randall had that had 6L6 and EL34's but can take KT88's and other glass.

Ha, my Math was off too

Agreed on SYN- I still feel tempted but not sure how much I need an HBE or BE or SLO to add to my EVH Blue channel. Now if I could get a KSR, that would be tight tight tight

 

[JerEvil]

I'm not getting the Math here, syn2 + 4 modules cost about 2600- that's more than (2) SM2s (?) Or any way you slice it, Syn is more, but they offer dual modules. SM2 is not module but has lots of cool toggles and custom options

But apples and oranges- SM2 is not dual modules but offers way better hi gain metal choices. This Mamba is hauntingly good, asis the OR100.

Syn may be a good move for more traditional tones or Friedman lovers...but then you could get an affordable Friedman for the price ....round and round the GAS goes!

They would cost the same actually. $2400. To be fair, I am not buying the Synergy stuff either... so my opinion is void. Carry on. I still think it looks cool and your vid sounded excellent. Synergy will be foolish if they DON'T get on board wth heavier stuff. I know Engl and Fryette have modules coming but they need to look at stuff like Driftwood, KSR, Peters... those would be really cool options and get them competitive.

If they stick to Marshall flavor it'll get old quick.

At least with the Salvation stuff it's a pretty wide spread of tones available. Someone REALLY needs to make a power amp like the one Randall had that had 6L6 and EL34's but can take KT88's and other glass.

Ha, my Math was off too

Agreed on SYN- I still feel tempted but not sure how much I need an HBE or BE or SLO to add to my EVH Blue channel. Now if I could get a KSR, that would be tight tight tight

Yeah between the Henning, Friedman and Splawn there’s zero need for anything else Marshall.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Jer your math definitely was a bit off man... also, with the synergy stuff you do get two "channels" but in most models it is essentially the same channel on both the blue and red with a few exceptions. For the most part they are sonically the same. So when you price it out, Synergy doesn't come under unless you have the initial Syn-2 under your belt and he hthat thing is over 1k. The preamp comes ready to go through any power amp.

As for the Synergy stuff, I agree with all of you. They need a bit more outside the Marshall vein. A lot of those can be set to sound like one another though I applaud their two Fender modules. The AC seems like a bit of a missed opportunity. Would have loved to see it mimic the normal and Top Boost channel vs one channel and then a bit more gain on the second channel. All in all, Synergy isn't really making me feel like i "must" have it. How about a Bogner Ecstacy with plexi-blue-red switches and some shaping options? How about mesa with the 5 EQ sliders? I mean let's get creative.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

just tried the SM2 with the evh 50w. I wasn't sure how it would go, but wow it slays!
I have to figure out how to get this thing into my live rig. I'll also get some better vid demoes for you-this technology is amazing!

 

[Mattfig]

The official demo I am making will be done with a Friedman BE-100 and SM2 with Dreadplate and a special new preamp...!!!...

Ray, what's your live rig? Curious minds wanna know...Glad the SM2 is doing it for you....I'm so excited to get mine!

 

[crankyrayhanky]

The official demo I am making will be done with a Friedman BE-100 and SM2 with Dreadplate and a special new preamp...!!!...

Ray, what's your live rig? Curious minds wanna know...Glad the SM2 is doing it for you....I'm so excited to get mine!

I want to hear that Dreadplate and the mystery tone!

Live Rig could be a combination of things I have...
Amps:
DMoll Kruse modded
evh 50w Kruse modded
Katana

fx8 or MS-3 (incoming)

I'd love to rock the fx8>DMoll, but since my band is starting again at ground zero it may be a bit before we have a slot that commands that...smaller opening slots mean I need a simple rig that can setup fast, sometimes just an OD & Phaser>evh

EVH will get used the most, it's a great sounding head that doesn't have the huge investment that DMoll has in case of theft/wear & tear. I'd like to go 4cm with fx8...but now it would be like 6cm if I add the SM2 rack...or maybe I find a decent power option and just go with the SM2 rack? IDK

We practice at a 2nd floor walkup, so Kat actually got some use due to it's lightness. I might be able to bring the SM2 and go into one of the cheap digital combos they have there, as well as at a few bars in the area that have an amp in the backline. I have to figure that out still.

Regardless, SM2 is rockin in my Madison Square bedroom, lol!

 

[crankyrayhanky]

suck disclaimer:solo
I'm also still using the XVive wireless even though I blasted on it last vid. I can;;t go back to cords