Marshall DSL: Old vs. New
- Thread starter EET_FUK
- Start date
eschoendorff
New member
Re: Marshall DSL: Old vs. New
My DSL 50 is from 1998 I think - it has the Drake transformers. What makes the Drakes so desirable?
My DSL 50 is from 1998 I think - it has the Drake transformers. What makes the Drakes so desirable?
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Marshall DSL: Old vs. New
They were hardwired, possibly better?, and were the same ones used for over a decade. Then, they changed to Axiom with plugs for easier serviceability. They're licensed Mercury Magnetics, which is a block from me and make some of the best trannies. I honestly don't know which sound better....Axiom or Drake. I'm not sure when Marshall went to Axioms with plugs.....I think sometime around 2000.
http://www.mercurymagnetics.com/pages/_misc/brands.htm#Axiom
They were hardwired, possibly better?, and were the same ones used for over a decade. Then, they changed to Axiom with plugs for easier serviceability. They're licensed Mercury Magnetics, which is a block from me and make some of the best trannies. I honestly don't know which sound better....Axiom or Drake. I'm not sure when Marshall went to Axioms with plugs.....I think sometime around 2000.
http://www.mercurymagnetics.com/pages/_misc/brands.htm#Axiom
SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Re: Marshall DSL: Old vs. New
everytime I see this thread I just get mad because I hate the DSL :28:
everytime I see this thread I just get mad because I hate the DSL :28:
Lucy Diamond
Well-known member
Re: Marshall DSL: Old vs. New
I like the break up of the old 50watt DSLs.
Mine is in need of a tube change and probably a re-bias. :/
I like the break up of the old 50watt DSLs.
Mine is in need of a tube change and probably a re-bias. :/
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Marshall DSL: Old vs. New
If I recall, the DSL's have external bias mini pots. Throw in some JJ's, EH, Mullard, Svetlana, or Tungsol EL-34's, and tweak the bias either by ear or with a multimeter hooked up to the back panel. You can do it yourself with this amp, and have it sounding better than new.
If I recall, the DSL's have external bias mini pots. Throw in some JJ's, EH, Mullard, Svetlana, or Tungsol EL-34's, and tweak the bias either by ear or with a multimeter hooked up to the back panel. You can do it yourself with this amp, and have it sounding better than new.
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Re: Marshall DSL: Old vs. New
Can only speak for the old DSL model but wheren't they known for PCB issues? I'm sure they're improved but they left a big of a black cloud over them for me too.
Can only speak for the old DSL model but wheren't they known for PCB issues? I'm sure they're improved but they left a big of a black cloud over them for me too.
SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Re: Marshall DSL: Old vs. New
well the ones I use at my old rehearsal studio would die all the time and the inputs would be loose as anything, knobs coming loose etc they just seemed poorly built
well the ones I use at my old rehearsal studio would die all the time and the inputs would be loose as anything, knobs coming loose etc they just seemed poorly built
Re: Marshall DSL: Old vs. New
I have a 1998 DSL 100. I put NOS preamp tubes in it and it rips it up pretty good. I also had a 1998 DSL 50 that sounded great but sold that off to fund a JMP-2204. I've tried the new DSL's and although good, they don't compare to the older models with good NOS glass in it.
I have a 1998 DSL 100. I put NOS preamp tubes in it and it rips it up pretty good. I also had a 1998 DSL 50 that sounded great but sold that off to fund a JMP-2204. I've tried the new DSL's and although good, they don't compare to the older models with good NOS glass in it.
