Thoughts on an Engl E530 + VHT 2902 rig?

[Techdeth]

I really enjoyed the Savage, it's a really precise like a surgical knife. Really aggressive sounding. Pretty sure I'll miss it when it's gone.

At the same time, it's a very compressed sound, which is why I think it's a bit polite compared to other amps I've played. My ideal tone nowadays is my Rectifier preamp and power amp setup. It's a very organic and uncompressed sound, to me at least, and I find that really suits the kind of music I write.

As mentioned though, I really need to shed some "furniture" in the coming weeks and months, I just have no space so as much as I would like to keep the Savage, I'm quite happy to trade it for a power amp and a couple of other rack thingamabobs.

Thanks for mentioning how some groups were using the E530. I'm toying with the idea of getting the new Line 6 device, or possibly another Quad Cortex and then hooking it up to one of my power amps for fun.

Get the e530
Don’t look back

 

[JerEvil]

Get the e530
Don’t look back

Fucking this!!! The E530 is far from a “one trick pony” and the 2/90/2 kills. I have both units and I’d never sell either. I’ve had an E530 in my stable for the last 15 years or more.

 

[rsm]

I purchased an Engl rack "halfstack" well over 10 yeas when they were still new: E530 Tube Preamp, E850/100 tube power amp, and a pair of E212VHB Pro cabs. It was a good versatile rig that had amazing cleans, crunch and hi gain saturation.

About two years ago, I got the Engl Artist Edition 100 E651, and sold the E530. The E850/100 (dual 100 W power amp) was discontinued so I kept it, and the cabs.

The E530 was good, and did what it did well for me, but ... I think the Synergy 1U preamp would be more versatile especially if you're getting rid of some amps.

Nothing bad about the E530 IMO, just not as versatile as Synergy

 

[Simon Dorn]

I've heard so much about the VHT 2902, but I'm less aware of the E530. Had always assumed it's a rock and roll sort of rig, but I've come across a lot of posts - including on RT - where people say the preamp is dynamite.

There's also this dude on Youtube - why did he go, he was doing such awesome demos - who put up a whole bunch of videos with the E530 into various power amps.

Is it a worthwhile rig to have in 2025? Also, is the E530 voiced sort of like the Engl Savage? I saw that in a bunch of places, while it was also compared to the Blackmore and something else.

Talk me into or out of it.

Eng e530 and an e850 is a nice 3 Space Guitar Rack.

Also, is the E530 voiced sort of like the Engl Savage?

I think you can say that. Kinda.

 

[NinjaRaf]

I’d do this trade. Sell the e530. Grab a synergy rack unit and a savage module. Then you get the best of both worlds. Won’t be exactly like the savage but the synergy stuff gets EXTREMELY close. Running the powerball module into an actual powerball 2 and switching between the amp and synergy, I couldn’t tell the difference.

 

[nightlight]

Lots of great advice and inputs on this thread. As a reward, I'll tell you a story.

I was hanging with some friends and one of their buddies comes along and we're just shooting the shit and we go to one of the new arrivals' place because it was bigger.

So we go there, just chilling and then one of the guys who we had just met starts grumbling about his back and pulling faces for a while before asking if anyone can give him a massage.

I keep shut and this guy is pestering my friend over and over, promising that he'll give one back if he gets one, until he says, "Alright, sure man. I'll massage your back. But I don't need one."

And so he does it, and I can barely keep a straight face. Then after a while, he says, "Alright, done," and the other guy leaps up and says, "AND NOW I WILL GIVE YOU A MASSAGE""

Gayest thing ever, haha

 

[JerEvil]

I’d do this trade. Sell the e530. Grab a synergy rack unit and a savage module. Then you get the best of both worlds. Won’t be exactly like the savage but the synergy stuff gets EXTREMELY close. Running the powerball module into an actual powerball 2 and switching between the amp and synergy, I couldn’t tell the difference.

I fucking hated the Savage module. The PowerBall module is killer though.

And yeah, the Syn-2 and a good power amp are tough to beat.

 

[Shask]

Running it in parallel is cool for sure. I was kinda referring to situations like an SPX90 where you really *need* a mixer, or else it impacts the tone quite a bit - arguably in a negative way. I didn't find the G-Major II to be a major tone suck in the loop. But horses for courses, different strokes, etc etc

I always noticed a high end sheen being added to the tone that I didn't like. I am picky with that stuff though. I also dont like running through newer units like Fractal because I notice them messing with the punch dynamics.

I do think the G Major 2 is a great sounding unit though.

 

[Shask]

I fucking hated the Savage module. The PowerBall module is killer though.

And yeah, the Syn-2 and a good power amp are tough to beat.

I haven't tried the Savage, but the Powerball is pretty good. I cant say it is one of my favorites, but it is good if you like the ENGL sound.

I have tried to buy one module from each "brand" as to not get too much overlap.

 

[rsm]

Lots of great advice and inputs on this thread. As a reward, I'll tell you a story.

I was hanging with some friends and one of their buddies comes along and we're just shooting the shit and we go to one of the new arrivals' place because it was bigger.

So we go there, just chilling and then one of the guys who we had just met starts grumbling about his back and pulling faces for a while before asking if anyone can give him a massage.

I keep shut and this guy is pestering my friend over and over, promising that he'll give one back if he gets one, until he says, "Alright, sure man. I'll massage your back. But I don't need one."

And so he does it, and I can barely keep a straight face. Then after a while, he says, "Alright, done," and the other guy leaps up and says, "AND NOW I WILL GIVE YOU A MASSAGE""

Gayest thing ever, haha

Are you in New Zealand by any chance?

 

[rsm]

I fucking hated the Savage module. The PowerBall module is killer though.

And yeah, the Syn-2 and a good power amp are tough to beat.

I've been looking at Synergy for years but never bought it. I use the Eng; E850/100 with my ISP Theta Michael Sweet and the 2 Engl E212 VHB Pro cabs, and it sounds like the '80s hair metal and thrash.

That said, I still have an open 1U space with the Furman and E850/100 rack, so the Syn2 is o the GAS list. I like the Vai module for clean and lead; I already have Marshall, Bogner, Mesa, Engl, and Diezel tube amp; so for rhythm and a second lead I'm considering The Pittbull or the Killer Kali...but they're close to what I already have.

I also know myself, that once I get the SYN2, I'll be getting many more modules than just my first 2-3. SMH

 

[JerEvil]

I've been looking at Synergy for years but never bought it. I use the Eng; E850/100 with my ISP Theta Michael Sweet and the 2 Engl E212 VHB Pro cabs, and it sounds like the '80s hair metal and thrash.

That said, I still have an open 1U space with the Furman and E850/100 rack, so the Syn2 is o the GAS list. I like the Vai module for clean and lead; I already have Marshall, Bogner, Mesa, Engl, and Diezel tube amp; so for rhythm and a second lead I'm considering The Pittbull or the Killer Kali...but they're close to what I already have.

I also know myself, that once I get the SYN2, I'll be getting many more modules than just my first 2-3. SMH

The Killer Kali is fucking awesome. My favorite module and as far as I’m concerned, a “must own” if you go the Synergy route.

 

[Meeotch]

I fucking hated the Savage module. The PowerBall module is killer though.

And yeah, the Syn-2 and a good power amp are tough to beat.

Agreed, I couldn't get rid of the Savage module fast enough. The Powerball module is far superior. Killer Kali is next on the list for me.

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

Great thing is Synergy is current gear. Maybe some day. But I've also heard they don't sound or behave like the real amos? Might be just someone's opinion, I think Vai now uses a Synergy system on stage.

Synergy preamps are quite accurate but the power amp is a large part of the sound so they will sound very different depending on power amp or tube head used. The IICP is scary close to the Mark VII when I compared them for example.

 

[nightlight]

Are you in New Zealand by any chance?

If that's in regard to the "gayest" comment, let me assure you that saying gay or gayest has not been censored yet. I mean you have to admit, that whole situation was pretty gay.

And that's alright, in this brave new world where the thought police are parsing every word online (haha) to find something that can cancel anyone at a moment's notice.

I'm not in NZ though.

 

[NinjaRaf]

I fucking hated the Savage module. The PowerBall module is killer though.

And yeah, the Syn-2 and a good power amp are tough to beat.

That's funny because I did not like the actual Savage amp, but the Powerball 2 is the best thing Engl makes, IMO. I am curious about the Savage module, but of the ones I tried (Uber, PB2, 2cP, UL, 6505), the PB2 was my favorite, with the Uber coming in a pretty close second.

I think a Syn-2 and a KSR PA100 would be a killer rig. I had a PA50 with my Syn-1 and that thing sounded insane.

 

[NinjaRaf]

Synergy preamps are quite accurate but the power amp is a large part of the sound so they will sound very different depending on power amp or tube head used. The IICP is scary close to the Mark VII when I compared them for example.

Yeah, I agree. I ran the 2cP module through the Mark VII (same day we were running the PB2 module through my other guitar players Powerball 2), and while I could hear some slight differences, he couldn't. Extremely, extremely close.

 

[NinjaRaf]

If you still want that Engl sound...Listening back to this makes me wonder why I didn't keep it, honestly haha. I bet paired with a 2902 would sound incredible, too. I did try it with a Powerstation, and I agree that it is just too transparent for this purpose. It sounds good but is missing something. The PA50 was a better choice, and makes me want to grab the 100 watt rack unit.

 

[Shask]

If you still want that Engl sound...Listening back to this makes me wonder why I didn't keep it, honestly haha. I bet paired with a 2902 would sound incredible, too. I did try it with a Powerstation, and I agree that it is just too transparent for this purpose. It sounds good but is missing something. The PA50 was a better choice, and makes me want to grab the 100 watt rack unit.

I thought your Synergy tones were great and was surprised you didn't keep it. Great way to have some different tones to switch between when you get bored.

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

Yeah, I agree. I ran the 2cP module through the Mark VII (same day we were running the PB2 module through my other guitar players Powerball 2), and while I could hear some slight differences, he couldn't. Extremely, extremely close.

Agreed. Through the VII it was very close. Through 6505 was very good as well. Through my Legacy it sounded more Marshally which makes sense as that amp is very much a darker Marshall on lead channel.