finally got a studio pre! now, what poweramp?

[ytse_jam]

hi! last week I finally got my first mesa/boogie, a studio pre in excellent conditions! I'm very happy 'cause it's the first quality musical product I own (after my fender usa strat). Before going on, I must say SORRY!!! to all you proud mesa/boogie owners, 'cause at the moment i'm wasting all my studio pre tone potentialities using it into the return jack input of the fx loop of a solidstate amp (however the sound is awesome even with this configuration!)... but next month i think i'll go searching for a good tube poweramp somewhere. So i would like to know what do you suggest for my studio pre. At the beginning i wanted to buy a Mesa 20/20, but the problem is that the clean channel of the studio pre seems to break up quite early (it is a very nice sound, but sometimes i also need a crystal clear clean!), and the poweramp clipping, which i think is quite easy to obtain with the 20/20, will make the clean channel too overdriven. I must say theese are my thoughts, please correct me if it isn't true... i never tried the 20/20.
Now i'm considering the Mesa 50/50 (old model, not the 2:fifty). I've read good reviews about it. Even the 15W power switching is a good feature i think. So if i want that nice poweramp clipping on distorted sounds, i could obtain it using the poweramp at 15W, or crank it in 50W mode keeping the volume of the pre quite low. I'm gonna playing mainly with the band in studio, but occasionally we play live at little/medium events. I play all from folk-rock (Creedence) to Dream Theater and Metallica.
So what's the best choice?Do other brands like Marshall or Peavey produce good poweramps? Thanks for your advice!

 

[ytse_jam]

...and what about Marshall EL84 20/20?

 

[t0aj15]

Now i'm considering the Mesa 50/50 (old model, not the 2:fifty). I've read good reviews about it. Even the 15W power switching is a good feature i think. So if i want that nice poweramp clipping on distorted sounds, i could obtain it using the poweramp at 15W, or crank it in 50W mode keeping the volume of the pre quite low. I'm gonna playing mainly with the band in studio, but occasionally we play live at little/medium events. I play all from folk-rock (Creedence) to Dream Theater and Metallica.

IMO the old 50/50 is a VERY good amp, I cannot foresee ANY circumstance where I would get rid of mine. I use it with a TriAxis and couldn't be happier with my sound, and yes I love the Hi/Lo power switch. That was a primary factor in my choosing this power amp. I think Boogie made a mistake removing that from the new model.

 

[nocluejimbo]

If you aren't looking to add any power-tube distortion to the signal, I would recommend the Mesa 50/50 and 2:95 as they were designed after the Mark series power amp scheme and engineered to work with the Studio and Quad power amps.

 

[Axmanjr]

Congrats ytse_jam! I just got a Studio pre last week! I haven't cranked it to its full potential yet, since I don't have a poweramp either, but I've been eye-balling a 20/20 to match with it. What sucks is that I used to own a 50/50 and Triaxis, but sold it after I got married, due to financial issues Even though the power switch was a great tool, I would still prefer the 20/20. The size/weight is convincing enough. Good luck on your search!

 

[ytse_jam]

so do you think i can get a big and full distortion just from preamp section (which actually is my mesa studio) or do i have to drive hard the power tubes to obtain that metallica/dreamtheater-style higain? i would like to get a powerful distortion, possibly without any external overdrive fx (i think i will use a boost just for solos), but i also want clarity and transparency for clean sounds.. i'm afraid of getting too dirty clean tones when using a 20/20 at medium/high volumes!

 

[oxtone]

ytse_jam,

For many years now I've used a Simul 2:90 with my Studio Preamp, and I always get great compliments on my tone with this rig! Although the 2:90 wasn't designed for the Studio, it works GREAT with it! Yea, the 2:90 is a heavy sucker, but that's the price you pay for GREAT TONE. I load the 2:90 with Groove Tubes 6L6GE's, and it sounds HUGE!
That said, I do use a Radial Tonebone Classic tube distortion pedal, and/or a Keeley modded TS-808 as my main distortion sounds now. I just set the Studio Pre on Clean, and forget it. Both pedals sound fantastic with this rig.

 

[straitouttahell]

Mate,

I'd stick to a 50/50.

I had a Mesa 20/20, loved it but its sound is so peculiar, quite different from 6L6 driven poweramps.

I would think it twice before considering the Marshall 20/20: I've heard too many times about major failures on these puppies for being just a story.

Of course, drop me an email if you wish to get more infos about Volcane

 

[Boogie4Life]

If you aren't looking to add any power-tube distortion to the signal, I would recommend the Mesa 50/50 and 2:95 as they were designed after the Mark series power amp scheme and engineered to work with the Studio and Quad power amps.

+1 all the way around!! Or go nuts and pickup a Strategy 400. :lol:
Congrats on your purchase,btw!