Solid State power amp for Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet with Axe FX III Turbo

When people talk about "feel" of a power amp, does it matter if the AxeFX already has all the controls to get whatever feel you want?
One thing is that the tube amp will have the actual impedance interaction with the speaker / cabinet.

The Axe Fx models this stuff though, so up to individual experience on how that affects you,

Also, be aware that most tube amps will add their own color to the tone and that will likely result in less accurate emulation for many amp models.
 
One thing is that the tube amp will have the actual impedance interaction with the speaker / cabinet.

The Axe Fx models this stuff though, so up to individual experience on how that affects you,

Also, be aware that most tube amps will add their own color to the tone and that will likely result in less accurate emulation for many amp models.
Some folks call that inaccuracy "tube amp feel' ;)
 
So just to follow up, I acquired a Crown 1200LX and it's definitely a step up from the Powerstage as long as weight and fan noise aren't an issue, which in this case they aren't (but yeah this thing is 2U and like 17" deep and weighs 45 pounds, and the fan is LOUD.) It's way louder, punchier, clearer, and has more and better bass. Into a 4x12 you can throughly BttF yourself.
 
So just to follow up, I acquired a Crown 1200LX and it's definitely a step up from the Powerstage as long as weight and fan noise aren't an issue, which in this case they aren't (but yeah this thing is 2U and like 17" deep and weighs 45 pounds, and the fan is LOUD.) It's way louder, punchier, clearer, and has more and better bass. Into a 4x12 you can throughly BttF yourself.
It will be a class AB which will account for the punch.
 
So I A/B'd last night between running the Fractal into the loop of my 2ch triple rec and into the Crown into the same cab (Mesa recto standard) and honestly I preferred the Crown (as a power amp, I mean.) It's the flat response, as long as the volume's high enough that the cab's breathing properly the Crown sounds good and feels good, it doesn't have a sweet spot like a tube power section always does. So yeah, I'd say that if you can handle the QoL issues one of these old PA amps you can pick up for $200-$300 all day is a very viable option.
 
Back
Top Bottom