Worth getting a Wizard MCII KT-150?

[braintheory]

Years ago I took all my Marshalls and swapped them over to 6550’s and or KT88’s. Whatever was available, there were no EL34’s for awhile. I was never a fan of them once the Mullards were gone. In those amps that were setup for el34’s there was a tiny bit better bass response, not much else.
Same thing with my UL that had the 6L6 / KT88 switch. With 6L6, Not alot of difference but a decrease in low end response by a little. If the amp is setup for KT88’s they do have a much bigger soundstage, whether it is what is desired by the player is up to them.
That UL was a massive sounding amp at gigs.

Yeah I never liked as much 6550’s or KT88’s in vintage Marshall’s. They sounded a little bigger like you said, but lost also some growl and richness of tone in the midrange

I have this one amp that’s self biasing and allows me to just pop in almost any tube I want, so it’s very easy for these tube testing comparisons and in that amp it’s a similar difference, but I actually prefer the way KT88’s and 6550’s translate in it

 

[Brandonrz]

I really think more people need to try out a Hellion. It’s the tightest amp I have owned when compared to some other heavy hitters. Never against a Wizard but it’s also not the first time I have heard someone say this.

Definitely on my list to try one.

 

[CEG85]

Thanks for all the feedback gents, really appreciate it. I do tend the prefer an amp with a faster more aggressive response so just might stick with the MCII for now and go for a different route.
Been hearing Fryette might come out with a new Ultra Lead, anybody have info on this?

 

[CEG85]

Yeah I never liked as much 6550’s or KT88’s in vintage Marshall’s. They sounded a little bigger like you said, but lost the growl and richness of tone in the midrange

I have this one amp that’s self biasing and allows me to just pop in almost any tube I want, so it’s very easy for these tube testing comparisons and in that amp it’s a similar difference, but I actually prefer the way KT88’s and 6550’s translate in it

I was actually debating on switching out the OT (MM O-100JM) on my SLP to accept 6550/KT88’s but one thing I like about it is the spongy response from the EL34s.

 

[RedB4Black]

Matt hasn’t had the KT150 Hell Razor. He had a 60w KT66 version. Wizards vs Mark IIC+’s are completely different flavors. Neither can do what makes the other great. I don’t need to prove anything. I just simply share my opinions based on comparisons I’ve made. If you feel differently that’s cool. Plenty of guys I’ve met here and played each other’s gear have seen the way I dial in amps. I don’t do anything unusual really. I just try to play to as best I can what I feel an amp’s inherent strengths are

I actually am planning to make some comparison clips of various amps, just gotta get better recording skills, but I never seem to get around to it since my priority is classical

I had a 120w KT66 HR. It was a killer amp. My KT88 MTL MK2 (and the mk1 before it) is my favorite though.

I have a 50w MTL el34 with c transformers. While the punch wasn’t as big as my 120w HR it was more raw and aggressive and that suited my tastes more… that and having my Uber Ultra el34, I felt I covered the HR so I moved it. Looking back, I probably should have gotten the KT88 HR, but I wanted something different. I do have a KT66 60 MTL mk2 that is pretty killer though. I preferred that over my HR as well . That amp and the aforementioned el34 MTL got me to move my 2016 (tgat I bought brand new) last summer

 

[RedB4Black]

But on topic. The KT88 MC2 mk2 is killer. I had an original mk1 from 2018 that I never really liked as much. He obviously tweaked it in 22 with the mk 2 because it was much better IMO. Mids were way too fat and rounder in the first one. More raw and grinding on the mk2

 

[hopkinWFG]

Years ago I took all my Marshalls and swapped them over to 6550’s and or KT88’s. Whatever was available, there were no EL34’s for awhile. I was never a fan of them once the Mullards were gone. In those amps that were setup for el34’s there was a tiny bit better bass response, not much else.
Same thing with my UL that had the 6L6 / KT88 switch. With 6L6, Not alot of difference but a decrease in low end response by a little. If the amp is setup for KT88’s they do have a much bigger soundstage, whether it is what is desired by the player is up to them.
That UL was a massive sounding amp at gigs.

I did tried putting in a quad of KT120 off from my Wizard MTL KT200 into the Fryette UL and yes these tubes feels way more relaxed didnt feel stiff and tight at all and the tone just sounded way more clear without the highend fizziness of the KT88.... try it in but biased lower at 50mA per tube ....