Jan 20, 2011 3:01 PM
Tech 21 Power Engine or a DT-50
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I have not researched the Tech21 PE before tonight although I had read many a thread on here and heard the name mentioned countless times. So I have spent the last hour reading user reviews on Harmony Central and this has caused a bit of a conundrum. Up until tonight I was all lined up to buy a DT-50 to complete the JTV69(when it arrives) - Pod HD500 for the alleged unltimate rig.
Just to add to the dilemna, I already own a Line6 4x12 stereo cab and used with the HD500 - Mesa 50/50 tube amp sounds bloody great but honestly, it is a lot of real estate to hump to every gig so I choose carefully where I think I may need it. So mostly, I forego the stereo capabilities of the HD500 and run it into a Mesa Nomad combo for my main gigging band (we have 70 gigs this year already booked, that's over 70 broken backs) and yes it sounds great too and is much more portable but still a heavy little beast of an amp. Because I use the Pre amps only in the Pod HD500, I have to mike up either amp to desk.
So, the DT-50 112,212 are going to be heavy too and mono, my heart says go for the head and use the 4x12, my brain says get the lightest combo which theoretically should sound way improved over the Nomad.
Then I read about the Tech21 Power Engine 60, I could buy 2 of these for around £670 from Thomann, preserve stereo from the HD500 and are only 33lbs in weight each. For jam sessions I could just use one and gigging take two where I would automatically have a back up and more importantly have the output from each to the desk in stereo. Is it going to sound as good as what I already have and more importantly the DT-50, which ever version I decide to buy or not as the case may be? I certainly cannot afford two DT-50s.
So my dear forum friends, are there any of you out there that could advise or express your own opinion/experiences on this?, have any of you migrated from the Tech21 units to DT-50 and regretted it?. I really am not sure which way to go with this. I appreciate this is a LIne6 forum but I will likely get a better answer here than on a neutral site.
PS I still use the Vetta in my other band but I don't have to move that from our rehearsal space as we are an originals band and don't intend to gig that much. But I do remember humping that back breaking amp in and out of pubs and clubs for many years and it isn't healthy long term on the spine.
Regards
markcockerill wrote:
I have not researched the Tech21 PE before tonight although I had read many a thread on here and heard the name mentioned countless times. So I have spent the last hour reading user reviews on Harmony Central and this has caused a bit of a conundrum. Up until tonight I was all lined up to buy a DT-50 to complete the JTV69(when it arrives) - Pod HD500 for the alleged unltimate rig.
Just to add to the dilemna, I already own a Line6 4x12 stereo cab and used with the HD500 - Mesa 50/50 tube amp sounds bloody great but honestly, it is a lot of real estate to hump to every gig so I choose carefully where I think I may need it. So mostly, I forego the stereo capabilities of the HD500 and run it into a Mesa Nomad combo for my main gigging band (we have 70 gigs this year already booked, that's over 70 broken backs) and yes it sounds great too and is much more portable but still a heavy little beast of an amp. Because I use the Pre amps only in the Pod HD500, I have to mike up either amp to desk.
So, the DT-50 112,212 are going to be heavy too and mono, my heart says go for the head and use the 4x12, my brain says get the lightest combo which theoretically should sound way improved over the Nomad.
Then I read about the Tech21 Power Engine 60, I could buy 2 of these for around £670 from Thomann, preserve stereo from the HD500 and are only 33lbs in weight each. For jam sessions I could just use one and gigging take two where I would automatically have a back up and more importantly have the output from each to the desk in stereo. Is it going to sound as good as what I already have and more importantly the DT-50, which ever version I decide to buy or not as the case may be? I certainly cannot afford two DT-50s.
So my dear forum friends, are there any of you out there that could advise or express your own opinion/experiences on this?, have any of you migrated from the Tech21 units to DT-50 and regretted it?. I really am not sure which way to go with this. I appreciate this is a LIne6 forum but I will likely get a better answer here than on a neutral site.
PS I still use the Vetta in my other band but I don't have to move that from our rehearsal space as we are an originals band and don't intend to gig that much. But I do remember humping that back breaking amp in and out of pubs and clubs for many years and it isn't healthy long term on the spine.
Regards
I have been following that thread and wondering the same thing, I happen to have a T21 Power Engine lying around that I never use since I bought my Vetta and will be receiving my HD500 by next week. I am planning to try the T21 with the HD but I doubt it would sound anywhere near as good as your current tube powered rigs or a DT-50... I used to use it with my Pod Xt and as I recall it sounded kind of dull and was not very loud.
Will check it out with the HD and post my opinion next week if I get a chance, as inexpensive as the T21 is you might want to pick one up used and check it out then you could always resell it for around the same price later if you didn't like it.
In addition to the advantage of the low price you will find the T21 is also very light weight and easy to move around.
Thanks dude, I await your findings.
I seem to remember two or three years back, all the talk was about T21 and Atomics with the XT bean and XT Live. It just seems an option worth exploring for cost/weight but have we moved on a lot since then?. I won't compromise on my sound now that I have experienced HD500 and tubes live and certainly won't invest in yesterday's technology for price and weight considerations if it means I lose out on sound quality. The real shame is that the Vetta does not sound as good as the HD500 (but the difference is not actually that huge) but I sure would like to have had it all built into the FBV format, I suppose Line6 will eventually realise that we do want gear made to the same incredibly high standard era of the Vetta and especially at the prices we are now paying for better sound which was always inevitable.
My own opinion is that the Vetta ( I have a VDI fitted mark 1 in mint condition) should have changed the world but was was very complicated for most, but like most things in life, once you get used to it, easy peasy.
The floorboard still is the single most indestructable piece of hardware L6 have ever made and is so perfectly laid out unlike the HD500 which can't really make it's mind up). And after all these years, all the switches and both pedals work flawlessly. I now use it at home with the X3 Pro for recording and just unplug it and take it to my second band on a Tuesday night for use with the Vetta. I have a strong feeling that I will never sell the Vetta, it will always be a good amp no matter how alledgedly brilliant everything since appears to be. I'm still a true believer that most of what the audience hears comes from your finger ends but we guitarists are fickle and ever in search of our own Holy Grails even when we actually already have it.
Sorry for going way off my own topic, just felt like a rant.
I'm over it now.
Taggin on this as well, love my dt50 sounds but it just started acting weird and if I was going to send it back I might think about another option. Keep us informed
I have 2 tech 21 power engines, and also a DT 50, (well, when it comes back from line 6 technical support). I love the Power Engines but, from the tone I heard at the local guitar shop, the real tube makes a difference. When the DT comes back, I'm hoping to use a modified 4 cable method, with the DT running dry, and the Power Engines handling effects. In some instances, It may be easier to use my hd500 and Power Engines only, ( that Dang DT 50 is a bear to carry up a flight of stairs,...especially after more than a few cocktails). I was originally considering a second DT 50 to run in stereo, but no way I'm moving two of them suck'as. But one option I'm not considering, is doing with out the DT 50 all together. First time I heard my Ibanez through A DT50 it was incredible. So,.. I think most people who own one will tell ya, it really is no comparison
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I have a PE along with the 500 I got the PE just cause I can't afford the dt50. I must say the PE is just ok. However sounds pretty good with the character series pedals just to let you know.
I use 2 PE-60s also (love it with my 500). Was alway wondering about the character series to use as a quick set up piece. One answer for the DT-50.... sell it and use the money to buy 4 more PE-60s..ooooooohhhh. 3x3 in stereo. It gotta kick some butt... and still be lighter than the DT-50 ![]()
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