Sometimes the Mark V Sounds Great and Sometimes...

[Heritage Softail]

The 1800 is a better unit than the 1215 IMO. It also costs about 50% more. When you are talking about transients, usually I think transient voltage surge supression using metal oxide varistors that are upstream protected with some sort of quick acting high voltage cutoff, so the MOV's don't die like sacrificial lambs during voltage spikes. A good thing. The units you mention use other components to introduce impedance in the circuit to slow inrush. The 1800 looks like a team of components to protect your gear w/voltage regulation and bad power conditioning, the 1215 is a stripped down unit (closely look at white paper). PF correction is not on that team but they have a $400 and 600 ish unit. I did not look that closely in this but I would want something with harmonic management as well. Some systems just add a 200% neutral to sink the heat but getting rid of the harmonic order frequency multiples will give you a better sine wave to power your gear. You know the saying, if you can't afford $1000 to protect your gear, how can you afford $15,000 to replace it?

 

[rmcfee]

I feel the same! One day the Mark 5 is amazing. The next day I can't get a good tone that is not harsh and buzzy.
Except the clean channel- it is always great. I would think about trading it but it is the best amp my local store carries.
Maybe I need new speakers or something. I have an old pair of Celestion G-12 80s in a 2x12 Marshall cab. Silver Series I think they are called, made in England. They have not been used that much though.
I have a new set of Vintage 30s that I could put in. Would that be better?

 

[mejoshee]

The 1800 is a better unit than the 1215 IMO. It also costs about 50% more. When you are talking about transients, usually I think transient voltage surge supression using metal oxide varistors that are upstream protected with some sort of quick acting high voltage cutoff, so the MOV's don't die like sacrificial lambs during voltage spikes. A good thing. The units you mention use other components to introduce impedance in the circuit to slow inrush. The 1800 looks like a team of components to protect your gear w/voltage regulation and bad power conditioning, the 1215 is a stripped down unit (closely look at white paper). PF correction is not on that team but they have a $400 and 600 ish unit. I did not look that closely in this but I would want something with harmonic management as well. Some systems just add a 200% neutral to sink the heat but getting rid of the harmonic order frequency multiples will give you a better sine wave to power your gear. You know the saying, if you can't afford $1000 to protect your gear, how can you afford $15,000 to replace it?

that's the answer i was hoping for! (i'm an electrical engineer so i followed that.)

alright, looks like for the most part for a simple guitar rig pf is relatively unnecessary to power a bunch of effects and a guitar amp.

 

[rmcfee]

I just noticed that my Mark V was hooked up "wrong". I had my 4 ohm cab plugged into the 8 ohm speaker output. Maybe it is my mind playing tricks but i swear it sounds much better.
Is that possible?

 

[Heritage Softail]

I just noticed that my Mark V was hooked up "wrong". I had my 4 ohm cab plugged into the 8 ohm speaker output. Maybe it is my mind playing tricks but i swear it sounds much better.
Is that possible?

I was told early on the easy way to remember cab to amp matches is to thing 4 people (amp output) can get in to a 8 person car (speaker ohm rating), but you would not want to try and cram 8 people into a 4 person car. The first car would be inefficiently used, the second car would bust at the seams.

Seems kinda simplistic but works as well as the old 'righty tighty' valve saying.

Me likey simple...

 

[rmcfee]

Simple is good! Thanks.

 

[lesterpaul]

I just noticed that my Mark V was hooked up "wrong". I had my 4 ohm cab plugged into the 8 ohm speaker output. Maybe it is my mind playing tricks but i swear it sounds much better.
Is that possible?

...what cab is it..?
copied from MB website:" A slight mismatch can provide a darker smoother tone with a little less output and attack. This response is a result of the amplifier running a bit cooler."
...this is referring to the 4ohm OUTPUT on the back of your amp running into an 8ohm cab, for instance..i would not do the opposite

 

[rmcfee]

I am running a 2x12 Marshall cab loaded with "Silver Series" Celestion G12-80s. The cab is 4 ohms but I was plugged in to the 8 ohm output.
It just seemed kind of ratty sounding. Maybe my mood that day.