Mesa Boogie power amps hardly (don’t) distort the sound at all, that comes from the preamp section. I’ve tried a Naim Uniti Nova and Audio Research D-76 as well as my Mesa Boogie fifty/fifty. The Boogie is my favorite regardless of price. Factoring in price at all, nothing else comes close. I use a California Audio Labs Sigma II as a DAC which is also excellent, although the Alpha and SC-TEN are better (but cost more). Changing the preamp tubes changed the sound in a subtle way, but it changes the feeling dramatically. While the Amperex tubes are the most detailed or hifi and natural sounding, I’ve found that the Mesa Boogie tubes are the most enjoyable to listen to, since they add lots of bass with a fluid sounding mid range and top end. I also have the 295, which sounds fatter than the fifty/fifty, because of the EL34 tubes. I have yet to use it as a stereo amp, because I want to cut the fan on it, but am afraid to damage it. I’m going to get an on/off switch installed on the fan a report back, maybe with a video shootout of the two amps. Would be curious if anyone has compared Mesa Boogie (with the fan cut or turned off) to McIntosh or Conrad Johnson tube gear.
Mesa Boogie Strategy 400
I have come across a tube amp that was designed to play a guitar through. A Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 ( used by many big rock bands). I am considering running two pair of Magnepan Tympanis with it. Its 200 watts into 8 ohms. Has anyone used such an amp amd will it sound as good as i expect it should. Some have already said it has a limit to it's frequency range and won't sound as good as i hope. Any ideas or thoughts from anyone on this ? thanks...