neale dunham
Experienced
...Been doing a little research lately into Valve Amplifiers worthy of the title: "Suitable Axe Fx 3 Valve Amplification".
I own a few different brands of Valve power amps, including a Marshall 50/50 a Mesa 50/50 and the VHT 2502 etc. Obviously, they all do their respective thing very well, but then that got me thinking... The Axe Fx is capable of producing sounds through the amp block from many different types of amps. Naturally a branded power amplifier is going to reflect the characteristics of the original pre-amp associated with it.
So maybe something more neutral is the order of the day? Perhaps a Fryette Powerstation for example? Yep. I have one, works very well again thanks.
But then that got me thinking some more.....If I want a neutral sounding amp in order preserve as much of the axe fx natural tone without much tube amp colouration at all then why couldn't I use a Valve Hi-fi amplifier made for audiophile use? Would that not be a cleaner, unadulterated tone??
Sure, some modifications would have to be made, to ensure robustness and power ratings etc etc the list goes on, but you get my theory. Would the Axe respond well using a high quality hi-fi amplifier into a modelling type speaker such as a Celestion F12 x200 for instance and I'm not saying that a speaker of that magnitude is ideal, but its the concept I am trying to establish.
Does anybody with a superior knowledge of electronics to mine know, whether this approach is worth pursuing? I am intrigued to know if I could find something that could work for small concerts and shows and be loud enough without the use of an in house P.a.
After all, if the axe fx requires as neutral a platform as possible then a hi-fi amp would surely provide this as that is what it is designed to do right?
Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
I own a few different brands of Valve power amps, including a Marshall 50/50 a Mesa 50/50 and the VHT 2502 etc. Obviously, they all do their respective thing very well, but then that got me thinking... The Axe Fx is capable of producing sounds through the amp block from many different types of amps. Naturally a branded power amplifier is going to reflect the characteristics of the original pre-amp associated with it.
So maybe something more neutral is the order of the day? Perhaps a Fryette Powerstation for example? Yep. I have one, works very well again thanks.
But then that got me thinking some more.....If I want a neutral sounding amp in order preserve as much of the axe fx natural tone without much tube amp colouration at all then why couldn't I use a Valve Hi-fi amplifier made for audiophile use? Would that not be a cleaner, unadulterated tone??
Sure, some modifications would have to be made, to ensure robustness and power ratings etc etc the list goes on, but you get my theory. Would the Axe respond well using a high quality hi-fi amplifier into a modelling type speaker such as a Celestion F12 x200 for instance and I'm not saying that a speaker of that magnitude is ideal, but its the concept I am trying to establish.
Does anybody with a superior knowledge of electronics to mine know, whether this approach is worth pursuing? I am intrigued to know if I could find something that could work for small concerts and shows and be loud enough without the use of an in house P.a.
After all, if the axe fx requires as neutral a platform as possible then a hi-fi amp would surely provide this as that is what it is designed to do right?
Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.