Mesa 2:90 or 2:95 ?

[EdgeOfDarkness]

I will be using it with the Quad.
What are the major differences between the two other than the deep,1/2 and modern switch on the 2:90 ?

So far I am leaning toward the 2:90 because of the voicing features ( the ones VHT ripped off).

Which do you prefer and why ?

 

[disassembled]

The 290 is 2 spaces versus 4. That would be reason enough for me to go with the 290 (I am all about compactness for some reason).

The 295 will be more like a Mark IIC or Mark III power section whereas the 290 is more like a Mark IV without the triode and class A options.

The voicing options, in my opinon, are cool for low volume playing but your preamp should give you all of the necessary oomph when dialed in. They can also muddy up your tone in a live setting.

If you want to be a purist; the quad would mate with the 295,395, Strategy, or 50/50 just because they were manufactured during the same or around the same time period.

One thing to consider (this is the main reason I sold my 290) is that 180 watts is really impractical in a band setting where you are not playing in huge theaters or stadiums. The most I need is 100watts and that would be for loud cleans. If I ever go with a 290 again I will probably modify it so that I can choose to power up 1 channel or both channels.

Greg

 

[AdmiralB]

The 295 and 395 are better amps. They have better transformers and better build quality. The downside is size.

It's simply not possible to put 100 tube watts - let alone 180W or 200W - in an amp smaller than 3U or 4U without compromising something.

 

[EdgeOfDarkness]

Thanks guys I just paid for a 295 , hopefully it will get here by the beginning of next week.
Anyone else notice ALL the boogie power amps have gone up in price lately ?
I was checking ebay and seen a used 20/20 sell for $750...a Strategy 500 sold for over $1600...the 500 use to sell around $800.
the 2:90's were going anywhere from $600 to $1000 . :shock:
I ended giving $620 including shipping for the 295.( not on ebay)
Even the Quads have gone up since i got mine.

 

[AdmiralB]

I ended giving $620 including shipping for the 295.( not on ebay)

I just sold my 295 for $439, and was happy to get that (I paid $350).

It was for sale for a long time here...

 

[disassembled]

The prices are all screwy lately and on ebay it's just a crapshoot. I got some incredible deals in the past few months (2 Roadking heads for 1400 in less than a month period) but I also see the prices of a few things jump up like the Quad, Triaxis, Recto, Mark IV (i paid a few hundred more than I would have liked but got what I wanted), and so on.

I found the more patience one has the better you will fare when it comes to getting a good deal. I jumped on a Mark IV head that was exactly what I wanted (short head with new tolex) but spent a few hundred more than I felt they are worth used.

If I wasn't trying to downsize my rig I probably would have kept the quad/290 setup but it was just too powerful for my needs.

Anyway...good luck with the amp i am sure it will sound great!


Greg