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In what cases are tubes used/bypassed?


HankNJ
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Hello: I currently have a Fender Hot Rod all-tube amp but would like a more versatile amp, so I am considering the purchase of a DT25 or 50. I also have an HD500 and an old Pod XT Live.

 

In my research, I see some posts suggesting tubes are bypassed in low-power mode. True?

 

Other posts say that, when coupled with HD500 via L6 link, the tube preamp of DT is bypassed. True?

 

Also, is there digital modeling going on in the DT and when am I hearing modeling as opposed to hearing an all-tube signal path?

 

Finally, where are these details documented?

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I may be wrong here, but: In most cases with the DTs, the pre-amp modeling is fully digital and the power amp modeling fully 'real'. The DT50 has a pre-amp tube that's used alongside the digital modeling (or it can be turned off using editing software), but it's still mostly digital. There can be some modeling on the power amp side if the DT is put into low power mode, where there's simulated power amp modeling to capture the sound of a loud tube amp at lower volumes. Again, this can be switched on or off. Overall, the DT is a VERY versatile amp; you can go from super clean to mid-gain to high-gain really easily. And it all sounds good too.

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Thanks for the reply agbiggs. The SPECs page for DT25 leds me to believe that it also has a tube in the preamp section:

     (1) 12AX7, (2) EL84 tubes

 

So, can anyone confirm if the power amp tube is bypassed when using HD500 via L6 link? Also, have at my other questions if you please  :)

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it's a tube power amp...There is no other power amp or mystical switching to a solid-state amp as some folks seem to think.

 

The 12AX7 in the DT25 is the phase inverter. That is part of the power amp. The DT50 has an extra 12AX7 that serves as a buffer to drive the phase inverter. That too is part of the power amp. There are no conventional preamp tubes in the DT amplifiers. Sure there are 12AX7s that can be used in preamps, but that is not the case with the DTs.

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Thank you very much for your comments, spaceatl. I have been reading and now think I have a decent understanding of how this amp works. What are your thoughts on DT25 tone versus DT50 tone? Any noticeable differences?

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  • 2 weeks later...

tonally, sure there are some differences. But I would not say that is either good nor bad. Both are fantastic tonal amplifiers. The most marked difference to me between my DT50 112 and my DT25 head w/ 112 cab is that the DT50 has a lot more headroom. This translates into excellent dynamics that are nearly on par with a Fender Twin...The DT25 struggles in louder environments with clean tones...Basically, the DT25 has just enough power. clean tones get squishy really quick...

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