Which power amp for Quad pre?

[The Magic Hoof]

I think this'll be the last of what I need to know about a Quad.

I'm planning on running this into a 2X12 cab, maybe a 4X12... Using a Quad will be mostly for home recording, so I'm thinking that only a 2X12 cab is necessary. I'm not sure on this, but when recording, would be using a 4X12 cab be better than a 2X12? There's no way I'd need the power of a 4X12 cab, but if it's going to sound a bit better when recording, then why not?

As for the thread topic, plain and simply, which power amp would you go for for using a Quad pre?

 

[Tubes Rock!]

There are a variety, however, I also would like to know which is the prime selection for this preamp.

Simul Class 2:90, 2:100. the 50/50, or Simul Stereo 295.

I would choose the 295 if I could find one in my price range. I see one on ebay going for $700 ducks.. so act fast if that's what your after...

 

[lionel69]

the 50/50 is all you need ...not the 2:50 but the 50/50 ...they are selling for 450 and up ...

 

[ak47]

Anyone tried a Quad with a Boogie 20/20 power amp? Might be a cool thing to do...especially into a stereo 2x12''

Plus... I think you can use the 20/20 power amps as a slave into a bigger power amp so as to capture the 20/20 when run at full throttle and then amplify THAT sound... must be awesome when run into a couple of 4x12's!

 

[Tubes Rock!]

This might sound pretty cool to, might not get the low end chunk of the 50/50, but you might get a nice british sound out of the EL84's.

4xEL84, 3x12AX7 (20/20)
vs
4x6L6, 3x12AX7 (50/50)

 

[The Magic Hoof]

50/50. eh? I'm not sure on all of the poweramp stuff, but so far I'm thinking the 50/50 would be the way to go. What's the difference between a 2:50 and a 50:50? I also see the 295 and the 395.... Not sure on those things either.

All of this is confusing, but I'm taking your word for it and thinking the 5/50 would be what to get.

 

[lionel69]

The 50/50 is based on the MARK II SERIES AMPS...The 2 :50 was its replacement ...which most 50/50 lovers as myself didn't seam to like so well.. {MB} the man saids powering a quad or a studio through a 50/50 is as close to a IIC+ as you can get from a rack system...he told me this two weeks ago...

 

[Tubes Rock!]

Just for the record...

MB = Mike Bendinelli (Chief Technician and Keeper of the Archives)

http://www.mesaboogie.com/US/Smith/our_story.html

Since this comment about the 50/50 and IIc+ came straight from the horses mouth, then it must be true. I'll be purchasing a 50/50 in the very near future to compliment my Studio Pre...

Good luck on your quest..

 

[Yetti]

If anyone gets a 50/50 paired id like to hear some clips if they are willing.
Ive got the 395 poweramp and its sweet...but if the 50/50 is as close to the C+ you can get id love to hear it...ive heard it said so much just never heard it.

 

[TemporarilyStairs]

I personally run mine through a Peavey 50/50, but I don't have any real experience with other power amps excepting the Mesa 2:90.

You've really got a crapload of options here. Mesa makes about 800 power amps that would suit you, and there's a bunch of others ranging from the budget range to extremely expensive and everything in between.

I seem to have a weird preference for 'in between' tones and, for lack of a better term, the 'wrong' power sections... case in point:everything I've heard/seen makes me like the Stiletto more than just about any other Mesa product, and one of the greatest sounding amps I've ever played through was one of the JTM master volumes w/ 6550s. Maybe I'm just too wishy washy and I end up really liking some sort of compromising tone ;p

Really though, I'd advise you play whatever you can, make a decision or two, try them out, and figure it out that way. Though I do (admittedly) feel like I'm 'compromising' on the Peavey, from the handful of setups I tried I preferred it to the straight 6l6 offerings. Part of the mojo is in your fingers, pickups, cab, etc. too.

A 4x12 would sound a bit "thicker" or something else equally vague when recording.... from my experience the difference is somewhat subtle between a 2x12 (I usually use 2x12) to 4x12, but it's definitely significant. I really don't know what power-amp I'd use if I had unlimited funds, but I'd start by trying a few of the fancier Mesa options and a VHT or two, and go from there Worst case scenario, you ebay/sell them on here, and experiment a bit. And then if you don't like any of the results, you can sell me the Quad

 

[SadButTruely]

I quite enjoy my strategy 400, though it is an awful amount of power that i dont need most the time...