PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
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gregory
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Re: PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
Does anyone know if this amp by Victory has an effects loop?
Guitar -> Victory Preamp -> PowerStage -> Cabinet
^This was not tested.
It is extremely important to understand that the 3-band EQ in the PS170 is active. While the bands were obviously chosen to work well for a guitar rig, it does not have a preamp like what you would find in any traditional guitar amp, whether it be tube or solid-state. The PS170's BMT controls really behave nothing like the tonestack found in the Victory amp that they used in their head-to-head comparison. Put simply: the PowerStage wasn't designed with the intention of including a clean channel, classic-voiced or otherwise.
I'm honestly quite surprised at Mick and Daniel for treating the PS170 as if it were an amp head and was taken aback that they would continue like they did after discovering they were operating under such a gross misconception.
Some of Mick's comments were just embarrassingly bone-headed...
...like what he says at 45:43
...and "it's that midrange thing"
...and "getting that sibilance-y high end [with the PS170]"
...and "STOP SAYING IT'S A TUBE!!!"
So, did anyone notice the smile on their faces when they turned up either the 44 Mag or PS170?
...so much for "transistor-y"
Anyway...
Even if not practical, the Kingsley Constable into the 44 Mag is killing! Seriously, the 44 Mag actually breaks up in a very pleasant and almost "British" way. Pair the 44 Mag or a 22 Caliber with the front end of a 1959SLP: there's your bedroom Marshall tone, right there!!!
I thought the Vox was quite cool, too, even if it is being falsely described as an AC (that was funny!) The Keely D&M really impressed me. But the Kingsley Constable, to me, was the gem of the bunch. I still like the PowerStage too, but at $400 I can easily get a nice used combo that has a line-in. To me that is more attractive than a $400 AIAB. Now if I wanted to power a 2 or 3 channel rig with something other than a couple of Marshall heads or a 2:90 and a Mark IV and be portable, I'd consider getting one or two PS170s and use them in conjunction with a single head or even just my pedalboard with some type of preamp or modeler.
Does anyone know if this amp by Victory has an effects loop?
Guitar -> Victory Preamp -> PowerStage -> Cabinet
^This was not tested.
It is extremely important to understand that the 3-band EQ in the PS170 is active. While the bands were obviously chosen to work well for a guitar rig, it does not have a preamp like what you would find in any traditional guitar amp, whether it be tube or solid-state. The PS170's BMT controls really behave nothing like the tonestack found in the Victory amp that they used in their head-to-head comparison. Put simply: the PowerStage wasn't designed with the intention of including a clean channel, classic-voiced or otherwise.
I'm honestly quite surprised at Mick and Daniel for treating the PS170 as if it were an amp head and was taken aback that they would continue like they did after discovering they were operating under such a gross misconception.
Some of Mick's comments were just embarrassingly bone-headed...
...like what he says at 45:43
...and "it's that midrange thing"
Correct, Mick. the PowerStage 170 and 44 Magnum aren't sucking 20dB of midrange out of the signal like you're used to hearing.
...and "getting that sibilance-y high end [with the PS170]"
What does he expect?!? He cut the bass by about 3dB and the mids by 4db and had gone an boosted 6.6k by a good 8dB because he treated them like they were part of a guitar preamp.
...and "STOP SAYING IT'S A TUBE!!!"
So, did anyone notice the smile on their faces when they turned up either the 44 Mag or PS170?
...so much for "transistor-y"
Anyway...
Even if not practical, the Kingsley Constable into the 44 Mag is killing! Seriously, the 44 Mag actually breaks up in a very pleasant and almost "British" way. Pair the 44 Mag or a 22 Caliber with the front end of a 1959SLP: there's your bedroom Marshall tone, right there!!!
I thought the Vox was quite cool, too, even if it is being falsely described as an AC (that was funny!) The Keely D&M really impressed me. But the Kingsley Constable, to me, was the gem of the bunch. I still like the PowerStage too, but at $400 I can easily get a nice used combo that has a line-in. To me that is more attractive than a $400 AIAB. Now if I wanted to power a 2 or 3 channel rig with something other than a couple of Marshall heads or a 2:90 and a Mark IV and be portable, I'd consider getting one or two PS170s and use them in conjunction with a single head or even just my pedalboard with some type of preamp or modeler.
VinceT
New member
Re: PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
Every time I hear the Constable, I'm amazed - and reminded why it's high on my wish list.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Every time I hear the Constable, I'm amazed - and reminded why it's high on my wish list.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
Put your order in now, wait list is into next year now.
Put your order in now, wait list is into next year now.
IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
It was tested but not in isolation, it was used as part of the stereo sounds at the end, which leads me to a couple of comments: (1) People that only have a small but nice sounding lunchbox amp WITH an FX loop can use the PowerStage to turn it into a super loud amp by connecting the FX Send into the PowerStage input, the preamp section of your amp used just like the Constable was used in this video (2) I would love to see Seymour Duncan launching their own preamp-in-a-box with a real tube in it, just a single channel preamp that can go from lead to clean-ish by rolling the guitar volume. That would be a great tone by itself and maybe even a better pedal platform than the PowerStage alone.
It was tested but not in isolation, it was used as part of the stereo sounds at the end, which leads me to a couple of comments: (1) People that only have a small but nice sounding lunchbox amp WITH an FX loop can use the PowerStage to turn it into a super loud amp by connecting the FX Send into the PowerStage input, the preamp section of your amp used just like the Constable was used in this video (2) I would love to see Seymour Duncan launching their own preamp-in-a-box with a real tube in it, just a single channel preamp that can go from lead to clean-ish by rolling the guitar volume. That would be a great tone by itself and maybe even a better pedal platform than the PowerStage alone.
Re: PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
the paladium is a great stand alone preamp but is voiced for a more modern/aggressive tone. not that you cant get more vintagey sounds out of it, just takes more knob twiddling. the old twin tube pedals were along the lines of what you are talkin about but two channels and discontinued
the paladium is a great stand alone preamp but is voiced for a more modern/aggressive tone. not that you cant get more vintagey sounds out of it, just takes more knob twiddling. the old twin tube pedals were along the lines of what you are talkin about but two channels and discontinued
IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
Well, looks like I am not the only guy thinking on making a small practice amp loud enough for gigs with a power amp like this, the guys from That Pedal Show have demonstrated that in their latest episode today!!!
Well, looks like I am not the only guy thinking on making a small practice amp loud enough for gigs with a power amp like this, the guys from That Pedal Show have demonstrated that in their latest episode today!!!
gregory
New member
Re: PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
Again, it's too bad they didn't go back and make better use of the EQ on the PS170 after realizing that the strange honky, punchy, sibilance-y thing they encountered could be attributable to the absence of a tone stack as well as any additional tone shaping and nonlinearities found in a traditional tube preamp.
EDIT: Sorry, I didn't catch that you weren't talking about the PowerStage 170.
TBH, I doubt it is any more "voiced for a more modern/aggressive tone" than the active three-band EQ in my Power Engine 60, or the EQ in my old Sony AVR for that matter.
Again, it's too bad they didn't go back and make better use of the EQ on the PS170 after realizing that the strange honky, punchy, sibilance-y thing they encountered could be attributable to the absence of a tone stack as well as any additional tone shaping and nonlinearities found in a traditional tube preamp.
EDIT: Sorry, I didn't catch that you weren't talking about the PowerStage 170.
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Re: PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
i believe the paladium is voiced after a 5150 to give you an idea. im used to playing tweed and bf fenders and other nmv amps so it sounds modern to me. it feels great though and i can dial in a tone im very happy with, it just takes some tweaking
i believe the paladium is voiced after a 5150 to give you an idea. im used to playing tweed and bf fenders and other nmv amps so it sounds modern to me. it feels great though and i can dial in a tone im very happy with, it just takes some tweaking
Dave Locher
New member
Re: PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
Kudos on Duncan - I watched the entire episode yesterday and it seemed pretty clear to me that the PowerStage 170 was the best sounding of the lot and the fellas clearly agreed. The way they looked at each other when they first fired it up was priceless.
Speaking of price...I'm guessing these things might be affordable technology in 10 years?? The 170 costs more new than a decent used amp on Craigslist.
Kudos on Duncan - I watched the entire episode yesterday and it seemed pretty clear to me that the PowerStage 170 was the best sounding of the lot and the fellas clearly agreed. The way they looked at each other when they first fired it up was priceless.
Speaking of price...I'm guessing these things might be affordable technology in 10 years?? The 170 costs more new than a decent used amp on Craigslist.
gregory
New member
Re: PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
I doubt the parts cost for the internals is high at all.
This really isn't exactly cutting edge technology.
In 10 years the price will still be dictated by the market. I imagine that SD could drop the proce once they've recouped their initial investment, but I doubt that will happen. If they drop their price it will be because of competition.
I doubt the parts cost for the internals is high at all.
This really isn't exactly cutting edge technology.
In 10 years the price will still be dictated by the market. I imagine that SD could drop the proce once they've recouped their initial investment, but I doubt that will happen. If they drop their price it will be because of competition.
gregory
New member
Re: PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
I was still talking about the PowerStage 170 when comparing its EQ to my powered cab and AVR.
Sorry, Jeremy!
Wait, Palladium, right.
I was still talking about the PowerStage 170 when comparing its EQ to my powered cab and AVR.
Sorry, Jeremy!
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IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: PowerStage 170 Seen on "That Pedal Show"
I completely understand your comment as it is very practical but I think it is not fair to compare new vs used prices. I compared prices of new tube amps vs the price of a power amp + tube base preamp and it was quite similar to a head (because you should compare to a head, not to a combo). But the overall available power was 180 watts vs 40-50 watts of traditional amp, way more portable and no need to worry about changing expensive power tubes. Also, it is all mounted in my pedalboard now, it is super easy to carry and portable rig. Not to mention that my preamp has 3 channels against only two of most amp heads on similar price range... and it sounds good... and it is a stereo power amp so I am already set for an stereo rig.
But hey, that is just my personal experience with ISP Stealth and AMT SS-20, I would really love to hear comments from people one year from now after they are using the Power Stage 170. I really think a tube preamp is the way to go.
I completely understand your comment as it is very practical but I think it is not fair to compare new vs used prices. I compared prices of new tube amps vs the price of a power amp + tube base preamp and it was quite similar to a head (because you should compare to a head, not to a combo). But the overall available power was 180 watts vs 40-50 watts of traditional amp, way more portable and no need to worry about changing expensive power tubes. Also, it is all mounted in my pedalboard now, it is super easy to carry and portable rig. Not to mention that my preamp has 3 channels against only two of most amp heads on similar price range... and it sounds good... and it is a stereo power amp so I am already set for an stereo rig.
But hey, that is just my personal experience with ISP Stealth and AMT SS-20, I would really love to hear comments from people one year from now after they are using the Power Stage 170. I really think a tube preamp is the way to go.
