2:90 - half drive mode or pull power tubes for half power?

[ttbaron]

For a Mesa 2:90 Power amp. Has anyone compared the sound of the half drive mode with pulling two power tubes for half power? If so, which tubes should be pulled and what are your opinions?

 

[fatboy135]

I think that is not a good idea to quit tubes for less power

 

[mcmanus]

You really shouldn't do that for the 2:90... one pair of tubes (per channel) is running in class AB, and the other pair of tubes is running class A, to "smooth out" the curve of the other pair. It's not like it's running 2 pairs of tubes in class AB in parallel (per channel).