Tube Power Amp for AXE-FX

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Hey guys!

I'm sure this question has been beat to death, but I think I may have finally discovered the magic of the Axe-FX...running it through the power section of my Mark IV, I got it dialed in sounding 99% like my Racktifier...I'm REALLY floored.

So, I'd like to get a tube power amp to amplify the Axe.

I've always veered towards Mesa, so the 2:100 is tempting, but everyone seems to push VHTs for this application.

Has anyone compared the two power amps? Is the VHT in another league all together? If VHT, 2-90-2 or 2-50-2?

Thanks much!

Eric

 

[cyndicate]

I think it sounds great through the VHT 2/50/2

 

[hydesg]

Ive just bought a fryette 2502 and Mesa 2:90 for my axefx and 11R
will let you know how it is when i get it.

I'm currently using a ss carvin 1540l as poweramp.
I find it dry and lifeless compared to plugging into the effects return of my mark iv or soldano (which is punchy and juicier for the lack of better word)

 

[thiswaythatway]

Ive just bought a fryette 2502 and Mesa 2:90 for my axefx and 11R
will let you know how it is when i get it.

I'm currently using a ss carvin 1540l as poweramp.
I find it dry and lifeless compared to plugging into the effects return of my mark iv or soldano (which is punchy and juicier for the lack of better word)

I had a Mesa 2:90 that sounded pretty good with the Axe.

 

[hydesg]

i just bought the older version of 2:90 (with black knobs) at 400usd

 

[noob_pwn]

2/90/2 for me

 

[hellaboogie]

are you guys running the axe fx with the cab sims off or on through your tube power amps?

 

[hydesg]

how do you set the modes (eg. deep, modern) with your mesa 2:90?

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

This decision is gonna kill me...so many votes for both camps everywhere I look

I should probably add that I really dig the sounds I'm getting running the Axe through my Mark IV....is the Mesa 2:90 the closest I can get to the Mark IV's power amp?

Thanks!

 

[Ola Englund]

wow deja vu didn't we talk about this last week?

The beauty of the Axe Fx guys is that it is super tweakable. Even if you have a Crate Powerblock you can still dial in a perfect sound. I have the Crate Powerblock, a QSC PLX1602 poweramp and also a Atomic Reactor Monoblock. All of them sound good but all have different qualities:

1. Crate Powerblock. Weighs nothing. I can put it on a backpack on my dog and let him take it to the gig. Packs pretty much power aswell.
2. QSC PLX1602. 1600 W bridged dude. Need I say anything more? If you listen closely you can probably hear me play through this thing on the other side of the atlantic ocean.
3. Atomic Mono block. Out of the box sounds warm and tube-like. This+Axe fx is a wet dream.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

We probably did...I'm being indecisive as hell about it :/

Eric

 

[Ola Englund]

Dude just get the one that's cheaper out of the two. I promise you it will sound good which ever you choose...

 

[visualrocker69]

Atomic MB50!

 

[hunter]

I owned a VHT2502 with my Axe for about a year. I tried all kinds of poweramps and cabs, also FRFR, but never could get it to punch like through the power section of my Bogner Shiva.

I wonder if you'll get it to be as good as the MkIV power section with one of the 2U rack space amps. There is just more iron in the MkIV. You might need to get one of the large ones, VHT2150, Classic, Rivera TBR, Soldano etc

Just my 2c from what I went through, a lot of $$$ went down the drain for SS and tube amps during my search.

 

[hydesg]

May I know what do you not like about the VHT 2502?
I just ordered one for my Axefx

I owned a VHT2502 with my Axe for about a year. I tried all kinds of poweramps and cabs, also FRFR, but never could get it to punch like through the power section of my Bogner Shiva.

I wonder if you'll get it to be as good as the MkIV power section with one of the 2U rack space amps. There is just more iron in the MkIV. You might need to get one of the large ones, VHT2150, Classic, Rivera TBR, Soldano etc

Just my 2c from what I went through, a lot of $$$ went down the drain for SS and tube amps during my search.

 

[hunter]

May I know what do you not like about the VHT 2502?
I just ordered one for my Axefx

I owned a VHT2502 with my Axe for about a year. I tried all kinds of poweramps and cabs, also FRFR, but never could get it to punch like through the power section of my Bogner Shiva.

I wonder if you'll get it to be as good as the MkIV power section with one of the 2U rack space amps. There is just more iron in the MkIV. You might need to get one of the large ones, VHT2150, Classic, Rivera TBR, Soldano etc

Just my 2c from what I went through, a lot of $$$ went down the drain for SS and tube amps during my search.

I was just missing the huge punch and dynamics I got from my head's power section. The 2502 is a great quality amp, no doubt, but it cannot replace a power amp that has transformers of twice the size and weight. At least that is my personal experience.

 

[fredster]

Atomic MB50!

Please forgive the slight hijack - you guys with the MB50, is the fan loud?
And I've always thought the Axe sounded better with a tube power amp. For at home jamming, I run it through the power section of a Mesa LSS. FRFR at the gigs though.

 

[CaseyCor]

Atomic, or Randall RT2/50. Can load each side with different tube types, and switch sides via MIDI.

 

[jinch0]

I would say if your going for the mesa sound get a 2:90 or 50/50 if you want to spend less money retubing .If you wan to take advantage of the units options the fryette 2-90 or carvin on the cheaper side.

 

[Ventura]

Dude just get the one that's cheaper out of the two. I promise you it will sound good which ever you choose...

Coming from someone who I personally respect as being a terrific player and who's personally been through a LOT of different tube amps - this sort of testimonial is pretty critical IMHO. Your word is legend, Braddah...

As mentioned, I'm a sideline benchsitter for the AxeFX for now. But there's a lot of movement towards it, but I'll be damned if I see it replacing my tube driven heads with all their qwerky tube related nuances and idiosyncracies.

1's and 0's... I'm just not there yet. And the ONLY thing that gets me is the fact I've heard the difference, and it's unmistakably 'processed'. Perhaps, another way of saying it is, 'too perfect'. However back to the OP, I've left space in my rack for an Axe for whenever the day will come, if it comes, and that rack is being driven by a Fryette 2:90:2 (KT88) poweramp.

V.