Suggest a rack all tube setup

[Kruspe]

Hey,

I own an Kemper and i really like it, but i just miss the feel of real tube amp in my setup but i dont want to lose the portability and versatility.

What i need :
at least 40 watts of all tube amplification
I play metal and like something that sounds close to Children of Bodom but not really into marshals to much, i also love engl, friedman sound.
tuner and power conditioner in one slot (already have)
possible effects unit max 1 space, would like to include this into the amp if possible
All midi setup is absolute necessary !

I kinda like the hughes & kettner tubemeister deluxe 40, the midi function the effects i need already in, not really using effect but like to have some simple selection.

I just love Racks, i wont have pedal board or anything like that.

So i am looking for an ideal rack setup for me that i can fund from the kemper power head that i already own.
The problem for me is that i would like to have something that is not really heavy and can be carried easily.

I see something like :

1 slot wireless plus power conditioner (already have)
2 tuner (already have)
3-6 Slot and amp head in rack version with effects all midi with an option for cabinet simulated output for live playing
possible putting normal head into 19 rack 3 space if possible but i need that at least 40 watts

or
1 slot wireless plus power conditioner (already have)
2 tuner (already have)
3 preamp all tube
4-6 power amp all tube

I dont need an stereo all tube power amp and i would rather save some pounds of weight to have mono setup.

Please suggest a good setup that could fit my needs.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

Mesa is what came to my mind. They have a couple different racked rectifiers.

I was in a band with a guy that used a Tri-Axis with their tube power amp also. Basically had every Mesa ever made in a rack.

But they are not light. I don't know of any tube amps that are light to carry, unless they are single-ended low power.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

If money isn't a problem, I'd go with a KSR Artemis.
http://www.rhodesamplification.com/products/amplifiers/artemis

 

[Kruspe]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

If money isn't a problem, I'd go with a KSR Artemis.
http://www.rhodesamplification.com/products/amplifiers/artemis

That one is 40 pounds, to heavy for me

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

That one is 40 pounds, to heavy for me

Well, good luck. Transformers are heavy.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

I'd build the ultimate rack with tubes- money not a concern. Then, clone it with the Kemper and send everything back.

 

[Kruspe]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

I think for what I do 40watts will be enough, there are tube amps with 40 Watts that weights 16 pounds and play awesome like the grandmeister 40 deluxe for example.

So looking for something similar that can fit into 19 rack if possible and has midi

 

[MkIII Renegade]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

If it was me, I'd do the Mesa Triaxis and Simul-Class Stereo 2:90 in a heartbeat, although for power, the Stereo 50:50 would meet your stated needs. May be possible to find the older Mesa Quad preamp + Stereo 295 cheaper than the Triaxis setup, and it will still deliver tone heaven.

One day I will have one of these along with a G-Major or similar for effects, although it is totally redundant for me. It's just something I want....

 

[Kruspe]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

I have had triaxis and to be honest, I loved the clean channels, did not like the others at all, but that was maybe more about running it trough Marshall el34 50/50

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

So I find that most of the tube feel and sound comes from the power amp. So if I were you, I'd sell or trade the Kemper Powerrack for the regular Kemper (or an Axe FX or even a Line 6 Helix) and then get a good tube power amp, like the one from Carvin and use that as the power amp section. That Carvin sounds great and costs a few hundred dollars compared to the Mesa power amps.

 

[Lampy H]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

Mesa's new Triple Crown amp is available in a rack format, it has midi switching and cab simulation. That and a G Major will do whatever you need.

 

[Kruspe]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

Mesa's new Triple Crown amp is available in a rack format, it has midi switching and cab simulation. That and a G Major will do whatever you need.

Let me check that one out ! I have heard only good things about the triple crown

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

I'd say an old ADA MP-1 preamp, Digitech TSR-12 for effects, and whatever power amp "flavor" floats your boat, because for rackmount and all tube it's either going to be Marshall, Carvin, or Mesa. Has Fender done a rackmount power amp?

And an ART X-15 Ultrafoot to control it all.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

I've never used anything as satisfying as the Triaxis. The heart of my tone for nearly 25 years; nothing else even comes close.

You just need to recognize that the controls interact differently in each mode, and the Presence control performs a completely different function from knobs with the same name in other equipment. It seems to work backwards until you realize that it responds to playing dynamics: set low, the basic tone becomes bright but gets darker when you play hard. Set high, the basic tone is darker but gets brighter when you play hard. Definitely takes some getting used to! I always say they would've done better to label this control Dynamic Voice (the one that is labeled Dynamic Voice is actually a version of the classic Boogie 5-band EQ). Weird and counterintuitive, but Mesa amps have always had a learning curve compared to conventional designs.

I run mine with a Mesa 20:20 power amp these days- one rack space, and lightweight for all-tube power. The 20:20 has a somewhat vintage small-amp feel though; if you need dead clean at gig volume (or big attack with lots of punch) you might want a bit more wattage.

In a pinch, I could get by with a three space rack: just Triaxis, 20:20 and the Lexicon. I'd dearly miss the eight voice chorus in my Intellifex, along with one or two other odds & ends. But I could live without them if I had to.

 

[crguti]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

Engl is way to go, IMO.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

If you want an all tube rack it's going to be heavy. My power amp in my rack is an easy 30lbs on it's own.

Also, I know you say you just 'love racks' but is that the only reason why you are doing this and not looking at heads like the tubemeister etc?

If I were you:

-Sell the kemper power head (And assuming you like the tone's) just use that money to buy a racked kemper and buy a tube power amp to go with it

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

So I find that most of the tube feel and sound comes from the power amp. So if I were you, I'd sell or trade the Kemper Powerrack for the regular Kemper (or an Axe FX or even a Line 6 Helix) and then get a good tube power amp, like the one from Carvin and use that as the power amp section. That Carvin sounds great and costs a few hundred dollars compared to the Mesa power amps.

Very good point. My Helix came to life when I started running it through the Peavey Classic Series 50/50 I bought for it. Or at least when I figured out that I needed to push the front end with the Helix's volume knob. It sounds good enough that I've considered selling off some amps.

 

[Kruspe]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

If you want an all tube rack it's going to be heavy. My power amp in my rack is an easy 30lbs on it's own.

Also, I know you say you just 'love racks' but is that the only reason why you are doing this and not looking at heads like the tubemeister etc?

If I were you:

-Sell the kemper power head (And assuming you like the tone's) just use that money to buy a racked kemper and buy a tube power amp to go with it

I already have the Kemper rack version, I tried to put the Kemper trough Marshall el 34 50/50, it was definitely better but still not even close to the Friedman amp I have. Maybe I am the only one, but I really hear and feel the difference.

I think I will probably go with the mesa tc50 in rack.

For triaxis, this extremely depends on the unit you have, mine sounded like **** (even changed the tubes), but I have heard different unit and it was way better.

That's the reason I always buy tube amps new, the transformers are not yet fried, since nobody used it in a bad way (incorrect impedance, no load etc)

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Suggest a rack all tube setup

I already have the Kemper rack version, I tried to put the Kemper trough Marshall el 34 50/50, it was definitely better but still not even close to the Friedman amp I have. Maybe I am the only one, but I really hear and feel the difference.

I think I will probably go with the mesa tc50 in rack.

For triaxis, this extremely depends on the unit you have, mine sounded like **** (even changed the tubes), but I have heard different unit and it was way better.

That's the reason I always buy tube amps new, the transformers are not yet fried, since nobody used it in a bad way (incorrect impedance, no load etc)

As Gone Shooting has said you have to crank the volume of the preamp to get a good tube saturation. Just like cranking the preamp in a tube amp. If you try to use the preamp at 3 or 4 and then get all the power from your power amp, you might get a good sound but it won't have any of that pushed tube feel that you want.