Mark III ++ (NAD)

[#2121313]

Hey guys, as some of you may have read, I've been on the hunt for a Mark series amp. Ultimately I want a C+ (DRG) but couldn't wait! So I jumped the gun and picked up a Simul Blue Stripe. It went right to Mike B and I had the caps replaced as well as a few resistors that were found to be faulty.

At first I was going to get the III+ mod but after research on here I asked Mike about the ++ mod and if it can be done on a III - he said YES!.

So that's what I did, I now have a Mark III++, man this thing screams! I never played this particular amp before but did play a Simul Blue Stripe and easily prefer the III++. The best way to describe it's tone is, it's smooth in the direction of the C+ but with the same gain as the III. It's voiced different then the blue stripe was. It's still has loads of gain but in a smooth way not as gritty as the blue stripe. Also has a better feel to it when playing.

I'm one of those guys that go in the direction of the Hetfield type tone and this is as close as I've gotten with as simple a set up. Plug straight in and your 90% there, add a Furman PQ3 in the loop and pretty much dead on!

I've had a 60/100 watt and a Simul C+ a Triaxis/290 from the 90's, a Blue & Red, a IVB and a V - LOL! So I've been around the block when it comes to Mark amps and like I said this really gets me where I need to be tone wise better than the others. Sadly (and I know this is a huge factor) is a have never been able to A/B any of my amps because I've had them at different times!

I still would like a C+ again and really would like to get my hands on a C++.

I'll post some pics and gut shots when I open her up later this weekend...I've never seen another example of a III++ so I thought I would try and post as much feedback. Let me know if any of you guys have a III++ or have played one.

 

[topalchohol]

Congrats! Hard to beat the Mark III in the tone dept.! 3++ loses reverb to add another gain stage, correct? I've only had the pleasure of playing Mark III and V, and I prefer the tone of the III by a mile. :twisted:

 

[#2121313]

Congrats! Hard to beat the Mark III in the tone dept.! 3++ loses reverb to add another gain stage, correct? I've only had the pleasure of playing Mark III and V, and I prefer the tone of the III by a mile. :twisted:

As I understood from Mike (and is consistent with the way the ++ is documented on here is) the ++ will ruin your clean channel, you end up with extra gain in the clean channel as well so it's hard to get a good clean. I believe in C+ this goes for channel switching, meaning you can't get two balanced tones (clean and switch to lead) but you can have one or the other at separate times. But on the III because of the circuit being different the ++ is hardwired in so I will always have a clean channel that is never clean, it will always have break up.

For me playing Metal in the lead mode 100% of the time I didn't care. In both the C++ and the III++ when the ++ is engaged it gives an additional +6db is the lead mode. I need to pull the Middle knob to engage the ++ not sure about on the C+ how to engage the ++?

 

[Mark III Madness]

Sounds very cool. I'm glad to hear it gets you where you need to be.

I owned a 'C++' for years, but I had to have a clean channel, so back to 'C+' it went.

But, I can sure appreciate the tone you are currently enjoying! Rock on!

 

[JOEY B.]

Congrats! Hard to beat the Mark III in the tone dept.! 3++ loses reverb to add another gain stage, correct?

From what I know about it, there is not an extra 12AX7 added to the signal, at least in the C++ mod. How could anyone need any more gain than a stock C+ or III has to offer with the lead drive on "10"? I prefer my lead drive around "4-5" and stepping on the RC Booster out front to thicken things up for solo work. This allows for much more clarity of the rhythm tone in the lead channel. Oh, and I still have a clean channel that is somewhat clean.

 

[#2121313]

Double post.

 

[#2121313]

Congrats! Hard to beat the Mark III in the tone dept.! 3++ loses reverb to add another gain stage, correct?

From what I know about it, there is not an extra 12AX7 added to the signal, at least in the C++ mod. How could anyone need any more gain than a stock C+ or III has to offer with the lead drive on "10"? I prefer my lead drive around "4-5" and stepping on the RC Booster out front to thicken things up for solo work. This allows for much more clarity of the rhythm tone in the lead channel. Oh, and I still have a clean channel that is somewhat clean.

Yeah the clean channel on a C+ is unbelievable, the best I have ever heard IMO. If using the clean channel I would agree the ++ makes no sense, in my situation it was all about the lead channel, I never use the clean.

Definitely no extra tube in the ++ mod even in the III++ mod. Agreed, there is enough gain on a stock C+ or III but I guess it's just the dynamics the ++ brings vs the shear boost in gain. Kind of similar to the unexplainable difference of a stock C+, you gotta just play it to feel what I mean. Thing to with metal, even though gain is a key ingredient, in my case, the feel of the amp is equally as important and this ++ really helps that a lot.

I keep my Lead Drive at 6-7 with the Volume 1 at 9 on my III++ mind you, I don't pull the Volume 1 or the Lead Master for extra brightness, where on the stock C+ I was usually pulling one of those.

For the amount of gain I have I am very surprised at how smooth it sounds, still more so a C+ than a III in that department.