Hey guys. So Im looking at getting a stereo power amp for my JP2C and I wanted to ask if anyone knows what power amp would be the closest to it or good options. I know of all the mesa stereo power amps but not sure what would be best for the JP. I was going to go for a stereo 2:90. Not really sure of the differences between that and the 2:95 and 3:95 power amps. If anyone knows any other good options besides the mesa ones as well I would love to know.
Stereo Power Amp Recommendations for JP2C
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2:95 and 3:95 are simul-class. I've used a 2:90 with a Recto preamp and an Engl preamp and it was great, but the used prices on all mesa power amps have gone insane (north of $2K) if you can find one for sale. There's so many better ways to build a pro stereo rig these days than doubling up on tube power amps.
I mean, what's your application?
If this is just for your basement then spend your money on whatever you want, fill your boots.
If you're in a situation where you have the tour support to be hauling around a JP2C and power amp and outboard fx and a stereo cab setup, you wouldn't be posting here asking what to do.
If you're doing real gigs of any kind regularly I recommend trying out an FM3 or FM9 as a live rig before trying to build a tube-based space shuttle. Once you figure out how it works and what you like for stage monitoring, you will never want to go back to dealing with hauling 200 pounds of rig in and out of a venue and wondering what it's going to sound like. It's like IEMs, once you get used to them you just realize this is a way, way better way to play shows.
If you're gigging a lot and constantly dicking around with your rig the best thing to do is look at what pros in your genre of music are doing now (in 2025) for their live rigs instead of trying to replicate something somebody did in 1995. You may not need or be able to afford all the same gear but you'll figure out what signal chains people are using now to reliably put on successful no-hassle shows.
If this is just for your basement then spend your money on whatever you want, fill your boots.
If you're in a situation where you have the tour support to be hauling around a JP2C and power amp and outboard fx and a stereo cab setup, you wouldn't be posting here asking what to do.
If you're doing real gigs of any kind regularly I recommend trying out an FM3 or FM9 as a live rig before trying to build a tube-based space shuttle. Once you figure out how it works and what you like for stage monitoring, you will never want to go back to dealing with hauling 200 pounds of rig in and out of a venue and wondering what it's going to sound like. It's like IEMs, once you get used to them you just realize this is a way, way better way to play shows.
If you're gigging a lot and constantly dicking around with your rig the best thing to do is look at what pros in your genre of music are doing now (in 2025) for their live rigs instead of trying to replicate something somebody did in 1995. You may not need or be able to afford all the same gear but you'll figure out what signal chains people are using now to reliably put on successful no-hassle shows.
Lance Sheffield
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Back in the day I ran a direct out of my Mark IIC+ (combo with EVL 200 watt dry) into a stereo effects processor out to a Marshall Stereo Valvestate Power Amp (80 watts per side that you can find used for around $400-$500) into two mini 4x12 cabs. This will give you a wet / dry / wet setup which in my opinion is the very best way to maintain headroom and also enjoy spatial stereo effects and is not overly cumbersome as has been mentioned here. The stereo power amp is not nearly as critical for stereo effects with this set-up...you would be relying on your JP2C for the mono-dry sound. I have a wet dry wet preset that I pulled from Andy Wood for my Fractal FM9 but it doesn't sound anywhere near the same as the scenerio we are talking about above which sounds great and many other touring pros (Eddie Van Halen and Steve Lukather) used at various times if that is what you are after.
idk when the last time you played a show with that rig was, but showing up at a gig smaller than 1000 seats with two 4x12s talking about your w/d/w setup and expecting the venue to listen is not going to happen in 2025. If you want stereo, you're going direct to the board.
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Op: get whatever you want or desire. No rules here.Its whatever makes you happy and puts a smile on your face.
I recently did a 500 seater gig and I + another guitarist brought 2- 4x12 cabs each,for a wet/ dry rig, he used a diezel Herbert & elmwood m90,I used a mesa red and blue stripe coliseum.
We had our rigs set up in 15 minutes, cabs mic'd up and it was tone heaven. No fuss or muss or hassle at all.
More to what you're looking to do,I used to run a mkiv head out to either a 2 90 2 or my simul satellite head to cabs and it was absolutely killer.
I recently did a 500 seater gig and I + another guitarist brought 2- 4x12 cabs each,for a wet/ dry rig, he used a diezel Herbert & elmwood m90,I used a mesa red and blue stripe coliseum.
We had our rigs set up in 15 minutes, cabs mic'd up and it was tone heaven. No fuss or muss or hassle at all.
More to what you're looking to do,I used to run a mkiv head out to either a 2 90 2 or my simul satellite head to cabs and it was absolutely killer.
danut
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I have a Fryette 2902, which I sometimes feed with a slave-out signal from my MKV90 head. It's cool sounding, but man, my back hurts only when I think of what's there to carry...
Lance Sheffield
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Not sure how they do it where your from but true stereo comes from the output of the source(s) via mic'd cabinet or direct out, not the board...and you can use two 1 x 12 cabs + the amp as the dry for w/d/w set up that I use, or, one additional cab with a stereo power amp for stereo; I mean we are talking about tube amps on this forum right? They all require cabinets and are heavy to begin with so not sure what your point is.
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I have two Mesa 2:90 power amps. One is a very early purple light version. Completely serviced by Mesa about three years ago. The second is very late production from 2015 as seen in my profile photo. I'm going to be selling one of these very soon. If anyone is interested, please message me. 
From North Carolina shipping is my concern.
From North Carolina shipping is my concern.
