Pics of amps with BIG honkin' VU Meters
- Thread starter rallyguy
- Start date
AudioGeek
too hip to function
It's dual mono, as you can see by the 2 IEC jacks, and weighs 65 lbs. The 4 large toggle switches on the rear top are for setting either full pentode mode, 2/3 pentode-1/3 triode, 1/3 pentode-2/3 triode, or full triode. With 5881/EL34 tubes it gives 150, 120, 85, or 60 WPC respectively. With KT-88-types, it gives 225 WPC in full pentode, and so on down. The black knob over the input jacks is for setting negative feedback level, from Zero dB to Stage I, II, or III (+8 dB). A total of 32 different combinations of mode, negative feedback, and 8 or 4 ohm output taps, (and that doesn't count rolling tubes!). To me, it sounds best on my current Nautilus 803's connected to 8 ohm, in either of the split pentode-triode modes, and either Zero or Stage I (+2 dB) depending on the kind of music or the recording.
The 2 small toggles are for "Isolated" or "Coupled" ground. 4 Bias/Balance trim pots are between the input tubes and transformers. Speaker taps for 8 or 4 ohm, RCA or balanced Inputs.
The meters allow for monitoring output (0-300w/dB scale), and for setting tube bias/balance.
It's driven any speaker I've thrown at it with no problem: Maggie Tympani IV-D and 2.6R, Quad 11L and 21L, Nautilus 805, 804, and 803, JBL 4412 and SR4725X, Martin-Logan CLS-IIa, KEF C-80, a/d/s L990, Apogee Stage, and others. The nice thing is, this amp can be almost any amp you want it to be from the various settings.
I'm also a drummer, and I've even plugged it into guitar and bass cabs when my band was in a pinch. Sounded great! :guitar:
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JimmyNeutron
Super Member
Some mighty fine and impressive systems here - especially the Proton amp - yummy. Can I prostitute my pics again? I'm fond of Mac blue meters personally.
Jimmy
Jimmy
legal eagle
Sound Hound
It's dual mono, as you can see by the 2 IEC jacks, and weighs 65 lbs. The 4 large toggle switches on the rear top are for setting either full pentode mode, 2/3 pentode-1/3 triode, 1/3 pentode-2/3 triode, or full triode. With 5881/EL34 tubes it gives 150, 120, 85, or 60 WPC respectively. With KT-88-types, it gives 225 WPC in full pentode, and so on down. The black knob over the input jacks is for setting negative feedback level, from Zero dB to Stage I, II, or III (+8 dB). A total of 32 different combinations of mode, negative feedback, and 8 or 4 ohm output taps, (and that doesn't count rolling tubes!). To me, it sounds best on my current Nautilus 803's connected to 8 ohm, in either of the split pentode-triode modes, and either Zero or Stage I (+2 dB) depending on the kind of music or the recording.
The 2 small toggles are for "Isolated" or "Coupled" ground. 4 Bias/Balance trim pots are between the input tubes and transformers. Speaker taps for 8 or 4 ohm, RCA or balanced Inputs.
The meters allow for monitoring output (0-300w/dB scale), and for setting tube bias/balance.
It's driven any speaker I've thrown at it with no problem: Maggie Tympani IV-D and 2.6R, Quad 11L and 21L, Nautilus 805, 804, and 803, JBL 4412 and SR4725X, Martin-Logan CLS-IIa, KEF C-80, a/d/s L990, Apogee Stage, and others. The nice thing is, this amp can be almost any amp you want it to be from the various settings.
I'm also a drummer, and I've even plugged it into guitar and bass cabs when my band was in a pinch. Sounded great! :guitar:
I'm seriously impressed. That's some output for a tube amp.
AudioGeek
too hip to function
From what I've heard, the transformers alone are pretty special. They're some proprietary design built for Mesa by a well-respected transformer mfg that they were not keen to say who.
This thing is all business. Even the build aesthetics reflect that. It's no sexed up YBA, Audio Note, or EAR, although IMO it doesn't look out of place around my Pass Labs DAC & CEC transport or Amadeus table. It just says, "Hey...I'm here to rock your speakers. I yain't no glamour boy. Gotta problem widdat?"
The only thing is, you have to find a speaker it likes, because the speaker's impedance curve variations may or may not agree with the fairly high output impedance of the amp. While it had enough power/current to drive those speakers I mentioned above, it sounded much better with some models than others.
Here's an old review by Marc Mickelson: http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/rise29.htm
Chip Stern liked it with his speakers too:
"Conclusion
As you may have gathered, the Mesa Baron has significantly enhanced my life and listening environment. I leave it to such aural elders as John Atkinson and Wes Phillips to draw a definitive conclusion as to the Mesa Baron's rightful place in the hierarchy of great power amplifiers. But for this aural pilgrim, the Mesa Baron is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Tandem State Imaging is a source of endless fascination, and I'm finally able to experience recorded music at a level of dimensionality and impact heretofore reserved only for audio salon listening rooms, concert halls, and wealthy high-end enthusiasts."
Atkinson however was less enthusiastic, but honestly (and I'm not saying this because I own the amp, since if it was crap it would have gone down the road long ago)...JA [among others] has been all over the map for so many years @ Stereophile that I can't give much of his opinion a lot of cred. He reviewed the Baron on just the pair of small 2-way B&W Silver Signatures that he was gaga over at the time, which probably were not an ideal match, and in some opinions were ridiculously overpriced at the time ($8000./pr.)
If you look at his own impedance magnitude/phase plots and freq. resp. chart of the Silver Sigs, one wonders why he was hyping them up. One guess would be: B&W spends a LOT more on Stereophile ad space than Mesa ever did. :scratch2:
Anyway, sorry for the ramble. IMO, the Mesa is a great amp if you like lots of tube power and flexibility, and have the right speakers.
macman007
Mcintosh..Made In USA
Most of them have Blue Meters, Others are McIntosh Blue. Some are a bit blurry..no tripod, and bad light. In person...impressive baby blues.
Tonight, I will get the tripod out and get them all slow exposure, all the pieces in the active system, in the dark, from the 2105 onward!
Peace, ...and enjoy,
Phil
Tonight, I will get the tripod out and get them all slow exposure, all the pieces in the active system, in the dark, from the 2105 onward!
Peace, ...and enjoy,
Phil
Attachments
CarverPower
SDA SRS 2
No love for the carvers!
M-500(t):
The non-t models dont have a power button and dont say t :thmbsp:
M-500(t):
The non-t models dont have a power button and dont say t :thmbsp:
vintaggeman
Well-Known Member
70salesguy
Only 99 easy payments!
Crown OC-150
Crown made these units that not only featured nice meters, but provides switching for 3 amplifiers, 3 sets of speakers and 2 pair of headphones!
Crown made these units that not only featured nice meters, but provides switching for 3 amplifiers, 3 sets of speakers and 2 pair of headphones!
YAMAHAULIC
Active Member
I used to own one of these. veary cool amp.
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=...a=X&ei=Zn9dTJXJBMH68AbW982zDQ&ved=0CCkQ9QEwBA
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=...a=X&ei=Zn9dTJXJBMH68AbW982zDQ&ved=0CCkQ9QEwBA
voltcontrol
Fizheuer Zieheuer
Transpow PR-240. It's the most obscure unit I own, possibly a diy or kit poweramp.
I've also owned the Tascam MB-20, but sold it with the mixer..I Like meter bridges.
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Well if you a very good boy and very very lucky you can add big UV/Watt/Volt meters to any amp.
With a Heathkit AD-1307 Audio Control Center (I have two)
Wow,they are beautiful.:thmbsp:
I love the simple look.
