100K Plate 1.5K vs high plate version

[herby660]

Hi guys

Please excuse my ignorance but what differences does the earlier 100K plate 1.5K cathode version #124 sound like compared to higher plate version.

Some I believe have the 100K plate on V2 etc and higher plate version on V1

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have been searching threads but cannot find an answer.

[massygt6]

100k/1,5K has better cleans but a sharper and treblier OD...if you're mainly a clean player you might like the 100k/1,5k version, very clean and bright, almost a fender twin sound...otherwise go for higher plates versions.

[ic-racer]

Did you come across these threads?

http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... light=100k
http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... light=100k
http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... light=100k

[herby660]

Many thanks guys

Ic-Racer those links were great.

The 100K is basically a better clean amp.

Is it more flexible then and versatile except for the edgier distortion?

I'm not sure if it is worth changing my higher plate for the 100K

I suppose its just a few resistor changes

What is the most popular preamp circuit any idea

[Funkalicousgroove]

I really think the 100K amps sit better in a mix especially with a large ensemble that includes keys, horns, etc. The 220/150 amps are sweeter in your living room at moderate volumes. You can always try other values- 180/120, 150/120, 180/150, 110/100 etc the ratio is 66.6/1 for the cathodes. the other thing you can do with the 100K amps is use larger cathode bypass caps on the V1, and you can certainly install a treble bleed in your OD section, or use larger snubbers-

[dave g]

What is the most popular preamp circuit any idea

It seems to be the high plate non-HRM with skyliner tonestack. Honestly, though, try different circuits and find what you like. 100k on V1 with 220/150 on V2 works surprisingly well if you tweak the OD entrance to get the right amount of bass entering the OD section.

[ayan]

I really think the 100K amps sit better in a mix especially with a large ensemble that includes keys, horns, etc. The 220/150 amps are sweeter in your living room at moderate volumes. You can always try other values- 180/120, 150/120, 180/150, 110/100 etc the ratio is 66.6/1 for the cathodes. the other thing you can do with the 100K amps is use larger cathode bypass caps on the V1, and you can certainly install a treble bleed in your OD section, or use larger snubbers-

100% in agreement, a better choice for me considering the large band I usually play with. As Funk says, not too living room friendly per se, but sits great in a mix with more upper mids and treble. A couple of additional thoughts: (a) More Strat friendly than the high plate version; (b) better suited for 100W builds, as 50W builds end up being way brighter (well, they have less low end which will equate added brightness when all is said and done); (c) Can approximate the high plate sound when using Fender iron by mismatching the speaker to a lower impedance tap on the OT.

Gil

[herby660]

Thanks alot guys. I am a bedroom player but hope to get into a band soon so may play with this later. At the moment will leave it it as it is.

I am thinking of a HRM soon. I suppose I could play with different values on this one?

[jelle]

HRM is a high volume amp IMHO. It absolutely shines at high volumes. The real one I heard certainly did.

[Structo]

I've been interested in this as well.
The stock D'Lite has the high plates on V1 but 180K/120K on V2.

I have had the high plates on both for so long I can't remember what it sounded like the other way.

I wish I had two amps to A/B them.

[Bob-I]

HRM is a high volume amp IMHO. It absolutely shines at high volumes. The real one I heard certainly did.

Really? Funny that I find the HRM's seem to bloom better at low volumes, which is one of the reasons I like them.

[herby660]

HRM is a high volume amp IMHO. It absolutely shines at high volumes. The real one I heard certainly did.

Really? Funny that I find the HRM's seem to bloom better at low volumes, which is one of the reasons I like them.

The HRM is my next build...Looking forward to hearing one..I love my non-hrm though

[moj067]

Thanks for the input on this subject as I'm currently building a non-HRM w/dumbleator w/ 100k plates and going to give a go of some KT-77's in it. Using Marshall OT iron for the first time as well. I've been looking at Gil's amps as a great guide to go by.

[Tonegeek]

HRM is a high volume amp IMHO. It absolutely shines at high volumes. The real one I heard certainly did.

Really? Funny that I find the HRM's seem to bloom better at low volumes, which is one of the reasons I like them.

+1. Recently though, I messed with the OD entrance trim and HRM and have been able to get the amp to bloom more consistently at higher volumes. Before the change, it would get harsh at high volume. Also after 2 years I think my speakers are finally broken in!

[greiswig]

I really think the 100K amps sit better in a mix especially with a large ensemble that includes keys, horns, etc. The 220/150 amps are sweeter in your living room at moderate volumes.

I recently changed from a 120k/100k V1, 220k/150k V2 to 100k all around in my D'Lite build. This seems better to me overall, although I do miss some of that buttery quality the OD had at lower volumes.

But I agree that this OD seems to cut better in a dense mix. There's a little bit more snarl and cut to it, and it just pokes its head out more easily without needing to be louder.

Another thing that I find interesting: previously I had battled too much bass, even without the bass jumper engaged across the bass pot and a .001uF OD entrance cap. I had fiddled a fair amount with a number of things, and settled on a switch across that jumper that would accommodate a variety of cabs, (jumpered, 50k, and 66k), and tended to keep it in the 50k position. Plenty of bass with a 150k slope, even with weird cathode bypass values in the few uF range. V2 had 1uF and 2.2uF. Odd values.

The cathode bypass caps, from what Aiken says, result in a shelving HPF, not the same as the OD entrance cap which should be some set db/octave.

At any rate, switching to 100k all around, I now like 10uF on V1 and 4.7uF on V2...same as #124. Not too bassy at all. The jumper switch and the OD entrance cap are the same as previous.