Best tube power for Pod XT Live - stereo or mono?

[quiksilver]

Do you think it would be noticeably better to run a Pod XT Live into a stereo tube power amp, instead of into the effects return of a tube amp?

I'm thinking of a Mesa 20/20 stereo power amp vs. a Peavey JSX or Splawn regular amp. I want a HUGE sound, and I suspect that running stereo would help me get that, but then again, it seems that most tube amps are not stereo, so maybe it doesn't make as big a difference as I think.

For now, I would be running into one Marshall 1960A 4x12 (in stereo, if I were using the stereo amp). If it sounds noticeably better, I could get another cab to get a bigger stereo spread.

The advantage to the "regular," non-stereo amp would be that I could also use it as an amp, and just use the XTL for effects.

I'd be interested in your opinions. Thanks!

[jgcable]

Running the XTL in stereo with a stereo tube amp is outstanding and TONS better than running it in mono. Even with a 4 x 12 cab split in stereo you will be able to hear the difference. I highly suggest it.

[quiksilver]

Cool. Thanks, John. Do you think the Mesa 20/20 is a good way to go? I don't think I need a whole lot of power, as my current, 30 watt Marshall Artist 3203 is PLENTY loud for my purposes.

I'd actually prefer to get a Marshall power amp (e.g., EL-84 20/20), but I have heard that Mesa gear is more reliable.

I see that Carvin makes a stereo tube power amp, but it's 100 watts and 2 rack spaces. I'd like to keep it light and small if I can. Any other candidates I should consider?

[clifffclaven]

Running the XTL in stereo with a stereo tube amp is outstanding and TONS better than running it in mono. Even with a 4 x 12 cab split in stereo you will be able to hear the difference. I highly suggest it.

+1. I run my pod pro this way into a marshall 9200 (100/100) You will notice a difference.

[sevser]

What will you be doing with it mostly...Playing live?

What kind of music?

I think those of us who play out and play heavy music have the biggest challenge...We have to compete with a wall of noise provided by pumbling double bass drums and 2nd guitarist...Because we are not in a stadium we could very well have to rely on our gear without a PA, as those sound idiots tend to find lame excuses to not mic us, or just really poor at their job.

In a case like last night...I'm sure we fell victim to the headlining band not allowing us to shine too brightly... actually not funny...I totally busted the sound idiot…Who didn’t realize I too am a certified sound engineer…

Huge venues...You know you will be taken care of so you can bring a pignose and be heard...

In cover bands and other music where it's not too extreme your stereo spread might be noticed and sound absolutely stellar...I'd go that way for sure...But in a band situation like I'm is where we play medium sized venues and are dealing with shotty PAs and sound people...I say...Go with POWER! Headroom!

To give an idea just what a difference a simple power amp choice can make...

My set up last night

XTL in to return of my XXX (120 watts...as we all know…But take note)
XXX in to 1 4x12 and 1 2x12 G-flex. (6 pack…as I call it) My power amp was 50% volume, as was my pre amp...Not miced! Sound guy is a fag...like I said…

Co guitarist rig

POD Pro into 160 watt SS Mosvalve Stereo power amp
in to 2x4x12 cabs stereo...His rig was almost maxed out to full volume and miced...

My rig got all the compliments...Totally had the ability to crush my buddy Steve...If needed

Some people really don't get how difficult being in a extreme heavy band with lots of double kicks can be a challenge...I don't care how "Heavy" some bands think their sound is...when those kicks come in you better be on top of shit or you will drown...


I don't know if you guys are familiar with 3 Inches of Blood out of Seattle and Vancouver...But I had lots of people saying I dusted all of em :OD Yeah...I'm boasting a bit...But mostly trying to illustrate in the attempt to help and if not for the people on this site...I don't know what the fuck I would do...

I'd love a all tube rig with a great ryh, lead (With delay and boost) and clean with some chorus...All accessible with ONE stomp of the foot...and I'd be laughing...

However...This set up makes everyone happy including me...So...There you have it...Hope it helps!

[jgcable]

The 20/20 is nice and small. The Carvin T100 is 2 RMS and sounds GREAT with the XTL. For playing live in stereo with a tube power amp I think that 50 watts per side is perfect regardless of the size of the venue. 20w per side might not be enough if you aren't mic'd and you are playing with a LOUD band.

[quiksilver]

Thanks for the insight!

These days, I just jam in the basement for my own amusement. If I find the right situation, I'd love to play in a band again. If I did, it would probably be a cover band, playing hard rock and some 80s metal.

My ideal sound is EVH Fair Warning-era, though I also like heavier sounds, e.g., Zakk Wylde and Jon Donais. I usually have to play very quietly, but occasionally get to crank it up a bit. I currently run my Pod XT Live into the effects return of a Marshall 3203 Artist amp (solid state pre/tube power, 30 watts).

Oddly, in 20+ years of playing, I have never owned an all-tube amp. I sold a few guitars recently and am now thinking of putting that money into upgrading my amplification. I have been thinking of getting a Splawn, since that seems to be very EVH-oriented, with the idea that I would use my XT Live for effects only (I've also been thinking about getting a JSX for the same purpose), but I really like my Pod XT Live and thought maybe I should just get a tube power amp to run it into, particularly if running it in stereo would make a difference. I would also probably get a 2x12, so that I could run both cabs in stereo and, alternately, have a portable rig (XTL, power amp and 2x12) for informal jamming/practice.

[Robert Burns]

You sound like me. 22 years of playing SS Crate combo amps, with
Digitech effects. Thought i had great tone, but what i had was nasally
thin crap! Just 4 months ago, finally spent $1400 on a 50 wt Marshall
DSL 2000 head, into a Kustom 4x12 cab with 65wt Celestions. Let me
tell you, i now move the earth! You can feel the air move across your
body, and the blistering low end is killer! Did i just say that? Pretty
nerdy for a 52 yr old! Anyway...stay on your path, and upgrade to
Tube power my brother! I wondered why i spent 3k on a ton of Solid
state amps, instead of buying just one JCM 800 in 85'! Besides having
much better tone, i would have allot of equity in my Amp $$$!

[thenine]

nice post

quiksilver go for the splawn - I freaking love mine. If you dont like it, you can sell it and lose very little money if any at all. If you've never owned a nice head you owe it to yourself to at least try it.

9

[brent]

I was using it with a 20/20, I added a VHT Valvulator in front of the XTlive to help with the feel

This cover rig, now I use the Guytron GT20 and my pedalboard

[hippietim]

I have a PODxt Pro in my rack along side a Brunetti Mille preamp. In the end it all gets routed to a VHT 2502 - it sounds amazing. I'm sure a Mesa 20/20 will be cool too.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

i'm happy running my XTL into the crate powerblock. can't beat the tone for 100 bones.

and i am a tone snob. just not a tube snob.

[atilla]

Oddly, in 20+ years of playing, I have never owned an all-tube amp.

I would also probably get a 2x12, so that I could run both cabs in stereo and, alternately, have a portable rig (XTL, power amp and 2x12) for informal jamming/practice.

Considering your situation and the type of tone you like, I would say you'd enjoy playing over my set-up...a THD Univalve and an Avatgar 212 cabinet. You can crank it way loud and get awesome output tube distortion. Put it this way...there's also a Laney AOR 100-watt head and a Marshall Jubilee head in our practice space. I tried both through a Marshall 1960A cabinet, and neither could come close to the Univalve's punch. It's portable, affordable and reliable in addition to sounding killer. You can also have lots of fun tube-swapping since you can feed the Uni all sorts of different octal output tubes without rebiasing. Toejam also has one, and he's as enthusiastic as I am. I still saay the Uni head and Avatar cab were the best $$$ I ever spent on gear.

[Twisteramps]

Only bad thing about a Univalve is it won't do tight, heavy tones. Awesome for vintage stuff or 70s rock, and 80s metal with a boost... but a dedicated high gain amp like a Mesa, Soldano or VHT would shit all over one for metal IMHO.

Cool thing is you can really crank em up at a gig - I used to play blues-rock with one and a fulldrive 2. Talk about a portable toneful rig!

Pete

[toejam]

Only bad thing about a Univalve is it won't do tight, heavy tones. Awesome for vintage stuff or 70s rock, and 80s metal with a boost... but a dedicated high gain amp like a Mesa, Soldano or VHT would shit all over one for metal IMHO.

That's why I've been using mine clean lately with a KT88 and an AMT Extreme III pedal into it. Tight, heavy metal tones with amazing chord clarity! Excellent amp, a little on the bright side like an old Marshall.