295 vs 290 vs. 2:100

[metalaxe]

hell-o.

i'm new to this forum (had to search for a while to find a good mesa forum )

i've been thtough alot of amps (marshalls fenders, soldanos, engls, crates, hughes, vht, mesa... name it....)
my main amp at the moment is the recto-pre and the simul 295 poweramp.
that combination has got a decent tone, but i've never tried the 290 nor the 2:100. i know i'd love the 2:100 but i wanna know how big the differenve between the 295 and the 290 is?
some say the 295 is the best poweramp boogie has ever built but why then the followup?
i'd really appreciate your opinion how similar the 295 and the 290 are and where the differences are (soundwise, not the specs).

i know the 2:100 has the recto negative-feedback removal but besides that, how can it be compared to the 295 and 2:90?



thank



metalaxe/germany

 

[Boogiebabies]

Well, the old 2:95 used the MK IIC+ / MK III output transformers. They are very warm, but have only a switch on and off for the presence control.
The 2:95 uses the MK IV OT and driver stage, but has a deep, or negative feedback reduction switch. I find it to be a very nice sounding power amp with a bit more sparke than the 2:95. The 2:50 is nice, but I have never played a 2:100. Once you get a taste of Simul-Class you never go back.

 

[PC Biz]

The 2:100 will give you the Recto sound. The 2:90 will not. Not sure about the 295.

 

[nocluejimbo]

I would imagine it would depend on the preamp you use. I've always heard that these make the best pairs.

Studio/Quad : 2:95
Triaxis : 2:90
Rectifier Pre : 2:100
V-Twin : 20/20

 

[yettoblaster]

I would imagine it would depend on the preamp you use. I've always heard that these make the best pairs.

Studio/Quad : 2:95...

I would agree about the Studio/Quad : 2:95 I had.
Later on I got a 50:50 and it didn't have the EL-34's, class A, or Simul-class. More generic sounding and less bounce.
The Studio Preamp had a good Fender Blackface sound, and the Quad had a whole 'nother gain level in the 12AX7's.

The 295 Stereo Simul was much heavier, but it was worth it. MUCH better sound than the dual Ampeg V-4s I ran before the rack era.

 

[samhill]

The Recto 2:100 is an excellent choice for the Recto Pre, I A/B ed it with a 2:90, a 2:50 and a Marshall 9200....... there was no comparison. The 2:100 was just "more". The Rectifier 2:100 is a great amp for the Recto Pre, agressive but very sweet and warm, if you A/B you will see.

Mark Day
www.thesamhillband.com