VHT 2-50-2 or 50/50 with my Triaxis?

[chris.goth]

Hi. I actually have a Mesa Triaxis, with a Peavey Valverb, going through a 50/50 and two 1X12' Mesa Recto.
Though I<m happy with the 50/50, I've heard that the VHT 2-50-2 is a better power amp (I can get a deal on one)

I find my 50/50 to be noisy (even on clean settings), and I would have liked
to try different tubes in it. I love the low-end thump it's got, and the vintage sound to it.

The VHT can be used with el-34, 6l6 or kt77, wich would give me more options, has voicing buttons, class A/AB, depth, presence.
But I don't know
how it sounds, and if it would be an improvement over the 50/50.

So what do you guys think?
What's the differences between the 50/50 and the 2502, and which one you prefer and is suited for which applications.

Thanks.

 

[chemten]

if you can get a deal on the vht, jump on it. pretty hard to find them used and they are amazing power amps. if you have some extra tubes to put into your 50/50, i'd try that first. but if you have to buy new tubes to try that, just get the vht.

 

[chris.goth]

Actually, I've read the VHT forums, and some people use it with 6L6's.
The new models don't have the EL34/6L6 switch inside, because it's been
replaced with a bias trim pot. Some people say it doesn't go cold enough
to use 6L6's, and some actually use them...

I think getting a special graded 6l6' set from Doug'd Tube would work.

 

[JLagoon]

I have never used Mesa 50/50 power amp, but do use my TriAxis with the VHT 2502. It has a switch inside for EL34 and 6L6 configuration for each channel.

The VHT 2502 is a clean poweramp with great clarity. It only colours your preamp with whatever power tubes you put into it. I tried EL34L, and KT77 with it. I prefer EL34L.

 

[MrScary5150]

sweet combo

 

[eagle]

If your after mark tones the mesa is more accurate but the VHT is a better alrounder and kills the mesa for rock tones.

 

[reo73]

If your after mark tones the mesa is more accurate but the VHT is a better alrounder and kills the mesa for rock tones.

That's an interesting response. You could infer then that Mesa Mark rock tones are sub-par to other rock tones?

 

[CudBucket]

The VHT might be a good amp but my Studio Pre and 50/50 just kills for vintage Dream Theater tone. Tons of low end. Mine is also super quiet. If I were you, I'd just buy some new Boogie tubes and enjoy that great amp.

 

[reuveu]

be aware that the new VHT 2-50-2s do not have anymore the switch to change the type of tubes 6L6 vs EL34 since janvier 2006 or 2007 I don't remember.

anyway I had a triaxis working with a 2-50-2 it sounded good but ... the sound was very straight, metallic, cold.

I changed it for a mesa 50/50 in my opinion it was much better, the sound was warm a lot of low end.

after that it depends on what you are looking for kind of sound ....