Does anybody know a good website that explains how these two work to help me understand them better? I've been playing a while and have a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier but have never really understood how the power and pre-amp works. Thanks.
Power and Pre-Amp Info
- Thread starter icetrey
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Turumbar82
Well-known member
I don't know of any websites that explain this much.
I don't know what you already know so I'll just be basic. To make things relative, your Dual Recto has a preamp and power amp. They are just part of the same circuit board inside your amp. With separate preamps and power amps it's no different in how it functions, just how it connects. You are connecting the preamp to the poweramp with 1/4" cables. You just have the option of connecting whatever preamp to whatever power amp you want. For instance I use an ENGL preamp with a VHT power amp.
Now with rack effects units, you just insert them in between your preamp and your power (kind of like a serial effects loop in a regular amp)
I don't know what you already know so I'll just be basic. To make things relative, your Dual Recto has a preamp and power amp. They are just part of the same circuit board inside your amp. With separate preamps and power amps it's no different in how it functions, just how it connects. You are connecting the preamp to the poweramp with 1/4" cables. You just have the option of connecting whatever preamp to whatever power amp you want. For instance I use an ENGL preamp with a VHT power amp.
Now with rack effects units, you just insert them in between your preamp and your power (kind of like a serial effects loop in a regular amp)
That helps. Thanks. I guess one of the main things I was wondering is which affects the sound the most? Power or pre-amp and what are the advantages to buying them separate when you can buy them together? Thanks.
MesaGod666
Well-known member
icetrey said:
Dude, it's all about the level of versatility and tweekability that is required to fully express your music or provide a great show for your audience.
If you don't play professionally, tour, and/or play monolithic music then by all means get a HEAD or COMBO and be done with it. If you have the need for broad versatility, tour, have multiple preamps, and like to combine rack effects with pedal effects while minimizing your stage footprint, THEN YOU NEED A RACK SETUP.
For example, to save studio time I used the record out on my Triaxis PREAMP to do all of my leads in my house. That is something I could not accomplish with my Mark V head.
THE END.
Turumbar82
Well-known member
The advantage is differences in sound. Like I said, I'm using ENGL and VHT both are known for having their distinct sounds. So I'm mixing two companies sounds. Your Recto will always sound like a Recto. My set up sounds like and ENGL through a VHT lol. Also there are tons of options with having multiple preamps and power amps. Let's say I want a Marshall sound, a Mesa sound, and an ENGL sound...I can get a Marshall JMP-1, a Mesa Triaxis, and have the ENGL 530 I have...then just use one power amp and set it up so I can switch from one preamp to another with MIDI. Seperate preamp/power amp set ups are all about flexability and versatility. Also, most tube power amps are stereo and most rack effects units have stereo effects. Some people really like the way stereo effects sound. I know I do. I also have the option with my power amp of running one side of my power amp in class A and the other in class A/B or both in A or both in A/B.
Versatility is really the key word when it comes to making a rack set up with separate preamps and power amps.
Versatility is really the key word when it comes to making a rack set up with separate preamps and power amps.
Ok, Thanks a lot. That sounds really awesome. I wasn't aware of being able to change the pre-amps with midi. I've read up on the Triaxis some and would like to make that investment someday. But I'm still in college now so maybe down the road.
Turumbar82
Well-known member
Yeah, the Triaxis is the next preamp on my list to get. There was one at the Guitar Center near me when I lived in West Palm Beach and I always played on it when I went in there. Great clean, great crunch, great chugging, great lead. I only wish that the technology wasn't so old for it because that worries me a little with repairs.
