200 watt tube amps - anything I should be looking at other than a Matamp GT200?

Waltsdog

Waltsdog

Feb 21, 2009
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#1
I'm thinking about getting a Matamp GT200 and am just looking for some opinions or other (readily available) options as these aren't exactly cheap or easy to try out.

The obvious other choice to me seems to be an Orange AD200B, although the new price is roughly the same for both and the Matamp looks to be of higher build quality.

I don't want an SVT, even though I'm looking for a big heavy tube amp I'm not interested in lugging 90lbs around. 60-70lbs is the limit.

Are there any other options that I'm overlooking for under $3k? Looking for a big vintage sound and crazy overdrive when necessary.
 
#5
I don't think the prodigy will do what I'm looking for, it sounds a little sterile to my ears and doesn't seem to get crazy enough on the overdrive side.

I'll never find an Ashdown in Canada/USA and the Meatsmoke is 90 odd lbs
 
#9
Divided by 13 tbl 200
Divided By 13 Amplification - Amplifiers - TBL 200
tbl200.jpg
 
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#11
Mills and Science both offer their amps in variable wattage. The Mills atlas and compass are supposed to do big cleans up to grindy drive but I haven’t played one. I have a science mother, hiwatt based preamp, 200 watts.

Jessup amps makes hiwatt and model T voiced amps but seems most offerings are around 100 watts. Could be worth finding out if thy do higher power.
 
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#12
Waltsdog said:
The obvious other choice to me seems to be an Orange AD200B, although the new price is roughly the same for both and the Matamp looks to be of higher build quality.
Click to expand...

How do you know it's higher build quality? When does build quality overshadow tone when two amps have a track record of good quality?

In other words, they're both quality amps, pick what sounds the best with the features you're most interested in.

If a company builds an amazing overbuilt 200 watt tube tank, but sounds like crap, is it worth consideration?

Food for thought. :thumbsup:;) Best of luck!
 
#18
I went through a similar process about 2-3 years ago, so I can share some of the things I did in case they help you out. I always played vintage SVTs but wanted to try something else, something that wasn't 300 watts and not as heavy. I explored many of the same amps you're looking at or were suggested - Matamp, Orange, Reeves, Hi-Tone, Verellen, and a few others. I listened to any only demos with good headphones I could find, because, as you said, some of these are hard to find and try out.

I've actually played through an Orange AD200 (I almost went down the path of ordering a Matamp GT200; I called them up, priced it out, and everything but ended up not pursuing) and I own a Reeves 225. Both are good amps. I think it depends what you're looking for. The Reeves (which I play through a Reeves 410) isn't quite as bottom fat as the Orange, to my ears. I went with the Reeves because that's the tone I wanted, basically something that resembled a vintage Hiwatt 200. I think with some light investigation and making a spreadsheet (that's what I did - I'm a nutcase) you'll find what you're looking for even if you can't get your hands and ears on everything. I also found this demo to be somewhat helpful, but won't do you any good through regular laptop speakers. I also could've sworn there was a "part II" of this where they actually included a Matamp GT200, but I can't find it. Perhaps you can!

 
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#20
JeffHolt said:
I went through a similar process about 2-3 years ago, so I can share some of the things I did in case they help you out. I always played vintage SVTs but wanted to try something else, something that wasn't 300 watts and not as heavy. I explored many of the same amps you're looking at or were suggested - Matamp, Orange, Reeves, Hi-Tone, Verellen, and a few others. I listened to any only demos with good headphones I could find, because, as you said, some of these are hard to find and try out.
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Click to expand...

Thanks, that is very helpful. I suspect this is the video you were thinking of
The GT200 sounds best to me on that video, although I have a suspicion that the Orange is being hampered by poor eq settings there.
 
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