POD XT Live users: Tech21 power engine or Atomic Reactor?

metropolis4 · 05-08-2007, 07:14 AM

I'm thinking about getting one of these to use live with my POD XT Live setup but I'm torn between the two. I got really excited when I saw that they are both now making a higher powered 2x12 version. So here's what I see
Tech21: Cons- Solid State and open back (I think)
Pros- Lighter and has three band eq

Atomic: Cons - Heavy! costs $250 more, no eq
Pros - Tube, very well designed, closed back

I'm torn.. I don't really think that the tube power section is going to make that much difference in tone. With a digital front its not going to make that much difference so tube V solid state here I think is not a consideration. I'm mostly curious who else has used these and what their impressions are.. Anyone?

ibanez_dude · 05-08-2007, 02:14 PM

I dunno. I would say to ignore the presence of EQ bands though. The POD XTL has its own EQ, and if you EQ your patches, then using an amp's EQ would be like reprocessing it.

**Rainer.** · 05-08-2007, 03:53 PM

Well, I find an amp EQ to be helpful in fine tuning the EQ on the fly.

ibanez_dude · 05-08-2007, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainer.

Well, I find an amp EQ to be helpful in fine tuning the EQ on the fly.

Yeh, I guess. I dunno. I still would rather just set it on the POD, and if something is really off, it is wicked easy to adjust it and resave the patch

anathema · 05-08-2007, 07:10 PM

Atomic all the way.

Tube warmth FTW!!

Hopeful · 05-08-2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anathema

Atomic all the way.

Tube warmth FTW!!

Between the two, I would agree and say the Atomic. Especially since the amp was designed specifically with modelers in mind. I almost got one, but then I found my VS Workhorse Pony. Much nicer IMHO, but a little more $.

metropolis4 · 05-09-2007, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopeful

Between the two, I would agree and say the Atomic. Especially since the amp was designed specifically with modelers in mind. I almost got one, but then I found my VS Workhorse Pony. Much nicer IMHO, but a little more $.

I didn't know those were out yet, where did you find one?

I'm starting to lean a little more toward the Tech 21. I actually think the idea of having eq would be a BIG plus. It would be nice to be able to have a global eq to adjust everything for different rooms without having to go through and change every single patch for the gig (one of my complaints about running the POD direct at gigs). Plus it's 35 pounds lighter and $250 less. The power engine is also made specifically with modelers in mind, its comlpetely transparent.

The tube snob part of me is trying to tell me that the tubes will make a difference but I really think the difference will be negligible. I think that other design factors and components like the speakers are going to play a much bigger role in the overall tone because we're talking about clean transparent power here. The amp isn't designed to have the tubes affect the tone. I think a tube amp makes a huge difference over solid state when it is meant to shape the tone, when the tubes are used for the overdrive/distortion characteristics of the amp, and when nice analog pedals are being used in front. But to power an already digital device I don't see them as being a big factor.

Has anybody tried either one of these? I'd be really curious to hear some hands on advice.

Thanks!

RedsFan75 · 05-09-2007, 09:07 AM

Gotta tell you, the Tech 21's sound pretty good, hard to tell they're not tube.

Check this MySpace page and listen to White Trash Blues, it was all through a Tech 21
http://www.myspace.com/thebradelliottexperience

Ax · 05-09-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedsFan75

Gotta tell you, the Tech 21's sound pretty good, hard to tell they're not tube.

Check this MySpace page and listen to White Trash Blues, it was all through a Tech 21
http://www.myspace.com/thebradelliottexperience

I would argue that the tone on that song is terrible and the exact tone that I try to stay away from with solid state... It's just a very hollow sound...

RedsFan75 · 05-09-2007, 02:07 PM

Could it be the SS or his recorder to his PC.

The other Tech 21's I've heard were pretty good.

Hopeful · 05-09-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metropolis4

I didn't know those were out yet, where did you find one?

The tube snob part of me is trying to tell me that the tubes will make a difference but I really think the difference will be negligible. I think that other design factors and components like the speakers are going to play a much bigger role in the overall tone because we're talking about clean transparent power here. The amp isn't designed to have the tubes affect the tone. I think a tube amp makes a huge difference over solid state when it is meant to shape the tone, when the tubes are used for the overdrive/distortion characteristics of the amp, and when nice analog pedals are being used in front. But to power an already digital device I don't see them as being a big factor.

Go here http://www.visualsound.net to find a dealer. But there's a couple ebay music store sellers that have them too. I asked two of them what kind of deal they could give me and one took $100 off the top or I could get a VS H2O Chorus and Delay pedal. I think the difference with this tube amp (including the Atomic amp) is that these tube amps are built to drive digital pedals with tube amp power and tube characteristics. And, I'm a big digital fan that loves how the two, my Digitech GNX3000 and the Pony, interact and sound together. At least I know this concept works and works well.

Alleyoop2020 · 06-04-2007, 06:16 AM

I think the tube in the Atomic is different for a standard tube amp. The standard tube amp will use tubes in the pre-amp section which will shape your tone quite a bit but in the Atomic if I am not wrong does not have a pre-amp section, it relies on your modeler as the pre-amp amp main tone shaper.

The tube in the Atomic is used for the power amp section. Although that would mean it doesn't shape your tone much yet I know Hi Fi audiophiles would pay a bomb for tube amps - so it must be worth something

**thesteve** · 06-04-2007, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alleyoop2020

I think the tube in the Atomic is different for a standard tube amp. The standard tube amp will use tubes in the pre-amp section which will shape your tone quite a bit but in the Atomic if I am not wrong does not have a pre-amp section, it relies on your modeler as the pre-amp amp main tone shaper.

The tube in the Atomic is used for the power amp section. Although that would mean it doesn't shape your tone much yet I know Hi Fi audiophiles would pay a bomb for tube amps - so it must be worth something

I'm pretty sure all this was established in the first post.

Psalt12 · 06-05-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alleyoop2020

The tube in the Atomic is used for the power amp section. Although that would mean it doesn't shape your tone much yet I know Hi Fi audiophiles would pay a bomb for tube amps - so it must be worth something

But power tubes DO shape the tone. Why would people choose between EL-34s and 6L6GCs? EL-34s have more mids present and sound a bit brighter, whereas 6L6Gs work better in today's modern-sound high gain amplifiers. Personally, I think having a tube power amp MIGHT add much needed body and punch to a digital processor. I have yet to hear something digital that had body and punch.

As a result, I'm scared to sacrifice my Mesa Recto in lieu of a PODxtLive even though for the time being that would be the option for me in terms of practicality and financially. How different is the sound of a POD running through a mic'd Atomic or Workhorse as opposed to direct to board using its modeling?

Alleyoop2020 · 06-05-2007, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psalt12

But power tubes DO shape the tone. Why would people choose between EL-34s and 6L6GCs? EL-34s have more mids present and sound a bit brighter, whereas 6L6Gs work better in today's modern-sound high gain amplifiers. Personally, I think having a tube power amp MIGHT add much needed body and punch to a digital processor. I have yet to hear something digital that had body and punch.

As a result, I'm scared to sacrifice my Mesa Recto in lieu of a PODxtLive even though for the time being that would be the option for me in terms of practicality and financially. How different is the sound of a POD running through a mic'd Atomic or Workhorse as opposed to direct to board using its modeling?

Yea you are right about it shaping the tone but I guess what I was trying to say is it doesn't shape the tone the same way as a pre-amp would, i.e. by adding distortion.

Been reading a couple of reviews on Atomic and the guys say that it adds presence and warmth to your tone. Havn't tried it out yet but am convinced enough to place an order for one. Here's a review done by thestompbox.com

http://forum.thestompbox.net/showthread.php?t=4631