Long Awaited NAD

[dystrust]

After dealing with GAS since Winter NAMM 2016, I couldn't pass up this $850 craiglist find in like new condition with a Tuki cover.

I haven't had a ton of play time, but this thing is amazing. Sounds pretty much identical to my 2555, minus the skull-crushing volume. On the 5 watt setting I can get the tubes starting to come alive at around 2 on the output master without needing ear plugs. On the 20 watt setting it's too loud for home practice, but should be perfect for small / medium gigs with decent PA support. I'll probably pull out the 2555 for an outdoor gig or (more likely) one with a sh**y PA.

I've read on the Marshall forum that the power amp tubes (Tung-Sol EL-34) are pretty good and I agree. I likewise agree that the 'Marshall' ECC-83s suck hard. They have plenty of gain, but the treble is grainy and painfully harsh. Eventually I'll swap to the Tung-Sol / EH / LPS combo I like in my full size Jube, but I only have so much in the gear fund these days...

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Long Awaited NAD

Very Cool. Always wanted to hear you and Longcat do a jam. :headbang:

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Long Awaited NAD

I got one at discounted price a few months ago as well. At first I was thinking what was I thinking because I already own a 50 watt original. But I lost any buyers remorse after some tube rolling. I suppose comparisons to the originals would be inevitable.

Side by side it was a little disappointing at first. If you don't have an original side by side one probably wouldn't notice the subtle differences but I did. The mini was sounding more like a hot rodded 2204, brighter and more airy. For some this might be welcome and preferred such as tone preferences are subjective. However, to my ears the original sounded fatter and warmer and more complex across the board. Was it the transformers, the wattage, or just the newer components variance in the preamp? It turned out to be mostly the tubes.

I swapped the tubes out between both amps position for position. Most of the mojo from the original traveled over to the mini with the tubes. The original still sounded great with the mini's tube though. The mini had a JJ ECC83s in V1 and Chinese 12AX7s in V2 and V3. All Marshall branded. The power tubes were the Tung Sol EL34s.

Putting the tubes back in I began some tube rolling. Replacing V1 with either an American NOS 12AX7 or a German NOS ECC83 made the most difference. Replacing V2 and V3 made no difference. The airyness was due the Tung Sols. (I put the Tung Sols in the Original biased to 39ma where they sound great). Other brands of current EL34s yielded the following:

The Tung Sols EL34B, Airy distortion and more Fendery cleans.
Mullard EL34 -the more more traditional compression and smoothness of old EL34s. Darker. Earlier distortion.
Chinese EL34B -Sounded almost exactly like old RFTs or Teslas. Also louder.

The mini will disabuse one of thinking that power tubes don't affect the distortion properties of a tube amp or there's no such thing as power tube distortion. The great thing about the mini is that you can crank it to where these subtle differences become apparent in our typical modern day circumstances.

I also tried non EL34s since you can easily. The amp is cathode biased.

KT66s. Gave the amp and old school plexi -vintage vibe. Perfect for classic rock ala Dickey Betts. (Duane's tone works better with EL34s) The amp is noticably less gainy but more pure toned.
6L6GC. Although these are supposed to be the same family of KT-66s they have an opposite effect, by making the amp sound more modern.
6CA7. I really like the amp with these. They sound close to EL34s but more clarity and less congestion in the upper mids. The amp really sings nice cranked with these. Also very touch sensitive. They also have more bass which helps in the 5 watt mode.

The 5 watt mode is created by less plate voltage rather than triode operation.

I'm currently running a RFT in V1, and the RI Mullard EL34s in the amp.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Long Awaited NAD

I got one at discounted price a few months ago as well. At first I was thinking what was I thinking because I already own a 50 watt original. But I lost any buyers remorse after some tube rolling. I suppose comparisons to the originals would be inevitable.

Side by side it was a little disappointing at first. If you don't have an original side by side one probably wouldn't notice the subtle differences but I did. The mini was sounding more like a hot rodded 2204, brighter and more airy. For some this might be welcome and preferred such as tone preferences are subjective. However, to my ears the original sounded fatter and warmer and more complex across the board. Was it the transformers, the wattage, or just the newer components variance in the preamp? It turned out to be mostly the tubes.

I swapped the tubes out between both amps position for position. Most of the mojo from the original traveled over to the mini with the tubes. The original still sounded great with the mini's tube though. The mini had a JJ ECC83s in V1 and Chinese 12AX7s in V2 and V3. All Marshall branded. The power tubes were the Tung Sol EL34s.

Putting the tubes back in I began some tube rolling. Replacing V1 with either an American NOS 12AX7 or a German NOS ECC83 made the most difference. Replacing V2 and V3 made no difference. The airyness was due the Tung Sols. (I put the Tung Sols in the Original biased to 39ma where they sound great). Other brands of current EL34s yielded the following:

The Tung Sols EL34B, Airy distortion and more Fendery cleans.
Mullard EL34 -the more more traditional compression and smoothness of old EL34s. Darker. Earlier distortion.
Chinese EL34B -Sounded almost exactly like old RFTs or Teslas. Also louder.

The mini will disabuse one of thinking that power tubes don't affect the distortion properties of a tube amp or there's no such thing as power tube distortion. The great thing about the mini is that you can crank it to where these subtle differences become apparent in our typical modern day circumstances.

I also tried non EL34s since you can easily. The amp is cathode biased.

KT66s. Gave the amp and old school plexi -vintage vibe. Perfect for classic rock ala Dickey Betts. (Duane's tone works better with EL34s) The amp is noticably less gainy but more pure toned.
6L6GC. Although these are supposed to be the same family of KT-66s they have an opposite effect, by making the amp sound more modern.
6CA7. I really like the amp with these. They sound close to EL34s but more clarity and less congestion in the upper mids. The amp really sings nice cranked with these. Also very touch sensitive. They also have more bass which helps in the 5 watt mode.

The 5 watt mode is created by less plate voltage rather than triode operation.

I'm currently running a RFT in V1, and the RI Mullard EL34s in the amp.

I'm really glad you replied here... I can't believe I didn't think of borrowing tubes from my 2555, I must be working too much.

My Mini had Marshall-labeled Chinese 12AX7s in V1 & V2 and a JJ in V3. I moved the JJ to my Jet City and borrowed the Tung-Sol / EH / LPS set from the 2555. My first impressions are that the amp isn't nearly as bass-heavy as before, and there is a much bigger difference between the 5W and 20W modes. Tone-wise I greatly prefer the 20W mode, though 5W is usable for practicing at home. On the plus side, the harsh & grainy treble is gone. Unfortunately the the low end isn't as thick as before. Since I don't have 4 Tung-Sol EL-34s, I'm going to borrow a pair of JJ EL-34s from the 2555 tomorrow and see which power tubes I prefer in the Mini.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Long Awaited NAD

Since I don't have 4 Tung-Sol EL-34s, I'm going to borrow a pair of JJ EL-34s from the 2555 tomorrow and see which power tubes I prefer in the Mini.

I ended up having a bit of extra time tonight, so I went and borrowed those tubes.

Wow.

I like these A LOT better than the Tung-Sols. The high end is maybe not quite so lively, but the Mini Jube is rather bright so that balances out. The lows are a lot more full, and the 5W mode is actually enjoyable to play now. For the time being I'm very happy with the 2525H; I just need to get another pair of JJ-34s, a couple Tung-Sol 12AX7s, and a couple Sovtek 12AX7LPSs.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Long Awaited NAD

Have you had the chance to use this amp in band situation? It gives up very little to the big ones or to a boosted 800. Maybe that is because you can crank it without being too loud. This might be the perfect modern gigging Marshall.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Long Awaited NAD

Have you had the chance to use this amp in band situation? It gives up very little to the big ones or to a boosted 800. Maybe that is because you can crank it without being too loud. This might be the perfect modern gigging Marshall.

I'm between projects at the moment, so I've only played it by myself or with backing tracks. I can hardly wait to play it with a real band.

Since my previous post I've been able to track down another Tung-Sol 12AX7 & a pair of JJ EL-34s, so both amps are usable now. If I haven't played the 2555 in a while, I can't tell the difference between the two. If I directly A/B them I can tell that the 2555 is a bit thicker, but it isn't a night and day difference.

I agree that the 2525H just may be the perfect modern Marshall. I was thinking to myself earlier that I could absolutely be happy with just the 2525, but that doesn't mean I have any intention of selling my 2555 any time soon.