Conflicting opinions on 295: Is it transparent or not?!

[JT_Marshmallow]

I have always wondered about the 295 and I have an opportunity to get one in my area this week if I want it. I've been reading about it and several people said that it is so transparent that it could just as easily be used to power a PA System, and that it does not color a preamp like it should.

This is not the impression I had of it though. From what I've read on this board, it'd be an amazing match for my Studio Pre. I am looking for a big fat lead tone with thick mids. What do you 295 owners say? Transparent or colorful?

 

[Bobby Marshall]

I have always wondered about the 295 and I have an opportunity to get one in my area this week if I want it. I've been reading about it and several people said that it is so transparent that it could just as easily be used to power a PA System, and that it does not color a preamp like it should.

This is not the impression I had of it though. From what I've read on this board, it'd be an amazing match for my Studio Pre. I am looking for a big fat lead tone with thick mids. What do you 295 owners say? Transparent or colorful?

I don't have a 295, but have it's more versatile sister with channel switching and it is super transparent with headroom for days when using all 6L6 power tubes. My comparison is my old Mark IV power section and a Peavey 50/50. I use mine with the Studio Pre and its great. But the Studio Pre and Peavey 50/50 also sound great together, different but still great. And I agree that you can use one for vocals, keyboard, anything with the 6L6s in there. I plugged straight in with my Strat that has the David Gilmour EMG set in it and it was incredibly clear.

Try it out.

 

[Whoopysnorp]

Like Bobby Marshall, I was until recently also the owner of the Simul 395. My Studio Pre sounded balls to the wall killer through it. I made the decision to unload it due to the fact that I was only using one side of it, plus I didn't really need the track switching. In its stead I'm running my Studio Pre into the effects return of a Mark III. It has a little more of a mid bump than the 395 did; the 395 was more chunky on the low end. By correcting with the GEQ though I was able to make them sound basically the same. I have a hard time thinking that the 295 could really be that transparent, especially given the option to run EL34s in the outer sockets. My understanding was that the general opinion favored it over the 2:90 as being fatter and richer.

 

[jreiser]

Do I assume you have been reading the harmony central reviews?????
Yes I too was sceptical of this opinion and right I was too.... the point I think people are trying to make when they say its "transparent" or "clean" is that you don’t get that power amp stage distortion (mostly because on full this thing would shake most practice rooms to the ground). However what you do get is the most warm, crisp, deep, and toneful sound from this amp. I love this power amp with the mix of el34 and 6l6 and will never sell it, paired with the Quad it’s a match hard to be beaten. I suggest you use your own ears as it’s all subjective at the end of the day, but in my opinion it’s not transparent at all, it shapes your tone beautifully and cleanly (and up to ridiculous volumes :shock: )