NAD: Dream Amp... Mesa Mark II

Andrew Lamprecht

Minion of One
Picked it up yesterday night, some guy a couple hours away listed it and I ended up getting it for $500 which is a pretty good deal considering they normally go for around $800-$1000 depending on the condition. I got home late last night and didn't get a chance to play it until today. The first thing I will say is that this amp is loud. I wasn't expecting it to be as loud as it was but the thing is... no vibration of hardware which some of my other amps have suffered from. This thing is built really well... it seems like it has taken a beating over the years but it's no surprise... it's an amazing sounding amp. I plugged in and the whole thing is just so much more reactive to pickup changes and EQ changes compared to my other amps I've had. It's so versatile and just sounds really good. I first played one when I was on vacation in June with my family. I mostly messed with the overdrive channel and it just sounded so beautiful. Tons of sustain and presence that most other amps I have tried don't have. I didn't stop thinking about it for days, hehe, and was still thinking about it months later as you can see. ;) Anyway, the cleans sound very very nice, Just so perfect, you don't even feel like you need reverb. It's dry but it sounds great. I'll pick up a reverb at some point because I like ambient stuff every once in a while though. Putting the drive channel on is just as awesome as I remembered it. Tons of sustain and meat without a lot of overdrive. It's hard to explain because there is such a nice fullness to the sound no matter what the knobs are at. I am really in love with this amp and as Cam said, it's a lifetime amp. :D

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Re: NAD: Dream Amp... Mesa Mark II

Sweet, I'm glad for you. Happy NAD. Now get your dad something cool.
 
Re: NAD: Dream Amp... Mesa Mark II

Sweet, I'm glad for you. Happy NAD. Now get your dad something cool.

:) I am. I actually didn't end up using any of his money but the cushion definitely made me feel less bad about buying it. I ended up taking the $1,100 and buying this, filling up my tank, putting $340 on the debt and $200 in the bank. I will get him something for christmas I know he will like, I'm getting my mom something nice too.
 
Re: NAD: Dream Amp... Mesa Mark II

Bet that sounds good! Looks like it barely escaped a death by knife blade.
 
Re: NAD: Dream Amp... Mesa Mark II

That is awesome! happy NAD.

Any chance of some clips?

I've been searching for a MKII or MKIIC+ for about a decade now with no luck regarding prices. The cheapest one I've seen in the uk was £2500 so I passed on it.
 
Re: NAD: Dream Amp... Mesa Mark II

Regardless of wear and tear that is an awesome amp. Its on a different level compared to new $500 amps these days when it comes to performance and reliability. I think its just perfect for Andrew. I remember back in the day college kids would order these directly from Mesa and then go and throw their solid state stuff off a cliff somewhere.
 
Re: NAD: Dream Amp... Mesa Mark II

sahweeeet! That's a score! Now you just need to get some nice knobs for it :D
 
Re: NAD: Dream Amp... Mesa Mark II

Great score, Andrew! You got an awesome deal on an amp that has some good mojo going on. That reactive warm sustainy presence is the tubes talkin' to you. Welcome to your new addiction to glass. I predict that G100 is going to be collecting dust.

Happy NAD!
 
Re: NAD: Dream Amp... Mesa Mark II

Unplug that cable and plug an attenuator in, and then plug that cable into the attenuator. :D

+1. You can get a THD Hot Plate on evilbay for less than 50% of list price. Just make sure you get the right impedance to match your amp. It'll bring that thing down to bedroom levels without completely flattening the tone.

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Re: NAD: Dream Amp... Mesa Mark II

Nice one Andrew, absolutely fantastic amp for so little money! Great score. Also congrats on attaining your dream amp, I am super pleased for you, now go play it loud and play it long!
 
Re: NAD: Dream Amp... Mesa Mark II

Nice score buddy!

I used to play thorough a MK I with the oak cab and wicker grill, it came factory with a EVM15L (not the EVM12L!) and it was a 100 watter...damn near as loud as my old Twin Reverb and just as heavy!

Enjoy it!
 
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Re: NAD: Dream Amp... Mesa Mark II

Congrats man! i have a Mark IV and know exactly what you mean by "Tons of sustain and presence that most other amps I have tried don't have", and "Tons of sustain and meat without a lot of overdrive. It's hard to explain because there is such a nice fullness to the sound no matter what the knobs are at"

mine started out as a combo as well, then i had a white bronco tolex headshell made for it, and sold the combo part, if you ever feel like going down that road.
 
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