Ultimate VHT / Fryette Power Amp Shootout

Hi, my name is Michael Nielsen. I'm a composer/producer. I write music for movie trailers, video game soundtracks, commercials, movies and tv shows. This channel is dedicated to guitar related gear and music production. My production and publishing company is called Ninja Tracks. My guitar sound design is available for Kemper, TwoNotes, THU Overloud, IK ToneX, and IR's.
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#VHT #Fryette #PowerAmps

[@studioatotonilco]

God save Michael Nielsen for this amazing video !!! Special mention to the Power to the Music riff from the amazing 1994 Mötley Crüe album with John Corabi.

[@kramerbc8482]

Thank you for doing this, Michael, just awesome! I went in with an open mind and emerged as a KT88 fan. EL34 was a very close second. Very close.

[@allmetaliswelcome]

Ohh! Super rad that you decided to play Power to The Music! I love that record

[@AnalogTiger]

Classic all the way for me. I wonder though how long this video had been in the making given it’s the old studio, old furniture etc. Thanks for taking the time to edit and post it, appreciated!

[@GeoffField-ks8mp]

Excellent video, thanks for doing this.

[@JasonCGuitarOfficial]

Blast from the past seeing the old room again :) Great video as always Sir!

[@craigcornell2752]

Hell yes! Thanks Michael🎉

[@dalenicholas1984]

For me personally the VHT Classic was my gold medal, bit more high end/presence going on. Silver to the Power Station and bronze to the HH. All sounded fantastic, but those three were what just ticked my box for what I personally dig sound wise. Great work Michael, thanks a bunch man.

[@michaeltoren]

Its a toss up between your Purple 2150 & my Classic. Both so good!

[@jimhomon7175]

Power to the Music! Perfect on Power Amp shootout. Love that Motley rif. For me, the 6550 had the best low end and growl that I love in a dirty channel. The power station held up very well to all of these classic power amps, and it only weighs 15 pounds. It may be the way to go!

[@gerardgomez4683]

Keep up the great reviews.

[@garettoverstreet]

Power to the Music! 🙏

[@Burkhimself]

My fave was the silver classic… seemed a little brighter and a little more colorful tone-wise…. Killer vid 🤘🏼

[@briankahanek]

Steve’s Power amps set a new standard 😎🎸

[@onewiththings]

This was very interesting, and helps me put in perspective other channels saying that the speaker is the only difference. I don't have a preference, everything sounded good, but maybe the 2150.

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

Nice riff off my favorite Crue Album.

[@cwness4587]

Great vid. I have the power station. like all things Fryette it sounds great.

[@Scott__C]

The PowerStation sounded best because my back hurt the least looking at it. They all sounded great, but variations on a theme.

[@timothy5974]

I think the power station held its own. I have a friend that uses that. Have a great day

[@bradcook5174]

It was the KT88 2150 for me.I also own a kt88 loaded 2150 so I'm biased. But the power station was very impressive.Ssuch a great sound out of a small package

[@jahjah67]

Great video. To my ears the PS sounded mostly like the VHT with 6550’s. I preferred the KT88 model.

[@patricetrahan7287]

To me, because the powerstation can also be used as an attenuator i believe is the most versatile of all power amps. I use mine with my 1959 slp or Helix as either « master volume » or poweramp. I initially thought it would have been more neutral in the tone chain but with the deep/edge engaged, it colored the tone pretty much the « same way » the other poweramps did (plus the fact that it’s lighter in weight ;). Great vid!

[@scoobers90]

I think the Power Station held it's own admirably in such esteemed company. And it has the bonus of being a multi-use piece of kit!

[@mariek6993]

dollar for dollar, that power station held its own...

[@troygriffen9200]

Power to the music.

[@aliveandfilming2]

It was never fair game to begin with , these amps sound too unreal , KT88's ❤❤ .

[@jay133666]

For me it felt like every preamp sounded very dofferent with dofferent power amps and different type of gain, so I can't even tell which one I liked more) I can say all Fryettes are just awesome)

[@davidyergensen4509]

The Power Station surprised me. To my ears it was sonically very close to the 2150 (6550) and the Classic (EL34).. The 2150 (KT88) sounds a little tighter, brighter, and more crispy than the others. The HH sounds dynamically flatter than everything else. I have a purple 2150 with KT88. Also, I have a very special 2100 Classic, with EL34s, that Steve Fryette built custom for me. He included buttons for Half-power, Pentode, Triode, Edge, Bright, along with the normal controls. The 2150 and Classic are 2 different beasts, but I prefer the Classic. I also have 2 of his original 3 Channel rackmount preamps. Absolutely love them. You're welcome to borrow th e m if you want to do a video.

[@davidyergensen4509]

PS - I'm in southern CA.

[@bardicdad]

Back in 92 I was in some small guitar store in Murietta, CA that had a full stack amp by a amp maker I never heard of: VHT. It was an odd looking amp that was modern looking, chicken head knobs and a weird EQ controlled by DIP switches. I passed on it back then, but I regret doing so, because I think it was one of the prototype Pitbulls that Steve Fryette was starting out with.

[@kevins.3825]

I have a H&H V800 Power Amp that I use from a Palmer line out to my SDE 3000 and PCM 170 to a cab for my wet signal. Amp is a 5150 III 100S. I like the clarity of the H&H, after watching this vid I really like what I hear coming from the Power Station. I like the sizzle I hear out of it.

[@MrDavemiley]

The Fryett PS 1 sounded very good . Sure held it's own with all the rest ! And you can use it with anything . . a full amp head or pre-amp !

[@markhamstra1083]

It’s a PS-2A.

[@fearhk213]

Really cool video. For drive tones, the 2150's sounds great with both preamps and both tubes. The Classic seemed more finicky - it sounded amazing with with the X88R, but the JMP-1 + Classic combo came off too sizzly for my personal tastes. The Power Station holds its own very well imo. Smaller sound stage (less low & top extension) and less oomph, but it still sounds really, really good. For clean tones I gravitated towards the the 2150 w/KT88's and the Classic. The Classic is a little leaner that the KT88, but that could be a good thing in a band setting or mix. The 2150 w/6550's was a bit scooped here w/less sparkle. The Power Station again sounds more mid focused, but in no way did it sound bad. The HH was cool as well. Not as big sounding, but it has a very pleasant tone. Overall, I'd have to pick the 2150 w/KT88. It sounded great with everything. 2nd pick is the Classic. Again, it wasn't my favorite with the JMP-1, but it sounded stellar in the other settings. Still, the Power Station definitely held its own imo.

[@EduardoSantosf5Gwx]

The pink one for the win in every level.

[@drloqutis2492]

The power station sounded great with everything, akso like VHT power amp with KT88s

[@johngraves2185]

I really liked the 2150 (6550) and the PS for most of the dirty stuff, but the KT88/EL34 had the extra shine on the clean riffs. I think I would be happy with the PS though.

[@kris_singh]

The VHT / Fryette with EL34’s is the GOAT

[@aquilarossa5191]

I have a PS-2A and suspected its power amp was based on the VHT stuff. It sounded good in your clip. A little more forward or something though. It reminded me of the difference between a JMP 1987 and a 100 watt Superlead. The four power tubes and big iron seem to sound more complex and rich. Perhaps because there are two pairs of tubes driving the output instead of one and they do not usually behave exactly the same, plus four is two more tubes, so it's two better hehe. I have an IR-X on the way from Friedman to NZ. In the mail. Let's see if I can make it a 'box of awesome' or if when playing thru DAW saw I keep going back to my Brainworx Engl preamp with Pete Thorn's Two Notes IR. I suspect I'll like the IR-X's preamp. What I am looking forward to is being able to hit it with pedals, which is a pain in the butt to do with an amp sim and get to behave right. I'll definitely try the IR-X using the line in of the power station. The IR-X's output is not line level though I think. It's instrument level, so I might have the hassle you did with the JMP-1's levels. I'll suss it out, but it might be a good video subject for you. There's also the trick the power station does where you can load down its own power amp with its own reactive load -- to get power amp sounds to send to IRs.

[@ROKZLEON]

I don't know what it is, but anything purple just sounds best. 💜

[@BigMateo24]

The KT88's sounded the best out of all of them, consistently in my opinion, but the power station is pretty great too. The classic was a little too brash/bright sounding to me and the 6550's sounded more subdued than all the others. The KT88's brought the beef in all examples. I wonder how that little single space Fryette LXII sounds compared back to back against these, I've heard people rave about them and personally that's the one that interests me the most.

[@ianmacneil556]

Cool video! I think it comes down to the application. How about this -> While it is cool to hear these with a "preamp", I would be more interested in hearing these power amps in a "slave" setup with an amp head. Thanks

[@kevinhughston5617]

I liked the EL34 the most, but I think with the powerstation presence turned up a bit more it would sound close enough. Ive been searching for a power amp and came across the mesa 290 so I had to buy it. super happy with it so far. I wonder how it would compare to the vht.

[@MoreMeRecording]

New video, old digs? Cool!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Old video I just found

[@cliftonwright7081]

Dope, I got a Fryette LXII that I’m digging. Not quite in this league but can still get unusably loud! Opinion: ole purps has the lowest reaching resonance, blueboi had a great low mid grunt that reminded me of the 6550 loaded JMP I played through much of my 20s. The classic was a touch sizzly but had the most conventional definition of clarity. The power station competed well despite being a touch congested, comparatively. Had plenty of headroom to get the speaker excited with similar low end character. If I could only have one it would probably be big ole purple dude.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Yo Clifton! Thanks for weighing in with your great ears! I agree 100%... But I do love that blue one too.

[@cliftonwright7081]

@@BigHairyGuitars yeah man, that grunt probably does good things in a mix

[@rabbleinarms5742]

feel like the KT88 seemed a bit more hi-fi really well rounded...granted I may be biased, because it's always been my favorite. The power station has always been super solid in all of your videos.

[@ianfurqueron5850]

All of them sound good, although it seems like the HH is a bit noisy, which was surprising. The Power Station definitely seems like a Swiss Army Knife for this sort of thing. I want one for my own collection. The only power amp I've ever used is my original ADA Micro-Tube 200, but I need to listen to it again compared to my heads to have an opinion on it.

[@soloist6660]

The kt88 2250 was huge with dirty soldano,with jmp 1 i liked classic more,the HH was all around,the power station surprised me on clean stuff...

[@davidgray8796]

I honestly thought that overall the purple or the powerstation were my two favorites. Preferred their character the most.

[@Cpt_Adama]

Hey, your back at your old studio? Or is this Michael from the past? 😉

[@pvampman]

Question, but I think I already know the answer from doing a little research. I have a pedal board rig. MXR 5150 going into a two notes Torpedo cab m. If I want to use a power amp such as these? Going into a 412 cabinet. Do I plug the two notes straight into the Poweramp? Is the poweramp looking for a line level or proper preamp level for it to produce the maximum wattage to push the 412 cab? I know the cab am has a line out but I am thinking I need to plug that in into some sort of preamp line in and then from out of the preamp out into the Poweramp. Is this the best way to do it?

[@jdm_oneten]

I thought the JMP-1 with the classic sounded great. el-34 and Marshall makes sense. The power station held its own very well with the others. Your purple one with the KT88's is more transparent to me and added less color to the preamps. Especially on the clean stuff.

[@Sound_Stable]

Really wish you could have got your hands on one of the new Fryette power amps for this too. I'm curious how the 2/90/2 stacks up or even the lxII.

[@dixonrooster5954]

Me too bro

[@denisrad4339]

And me too!

[@SeriousTipStudio]

Did you get your old studio back? Or is this an older video?

[@scottrand4857]

Michael, thanks for the video. (Pause to go hit Like). I was biased towards your KT88 model before listening...and I liked it the best. It is both clearer and punchier than the other two (but in the clear samples I heard buzzing...preamp, amp or something else??) To my ears (via youTube compression and my studio monitors), the PS sounded a LOT like the 6550 equipped VHT. Maybe Steve should make those in purple or blue too!! Wink wink nudge nudge.

[@scottrand4857]

Uh oh... there's a tugging at my wallet coming.

[@scottrand4857]

Lol....ugh. Telegram. Dang, I forgot to read.

[@sgw1507]

So you have proven again that purple sounds better 🤣 Seemed like the Power Station was similar to the purple 2150 but with a bit less frequency response which I think makes some sense give the KT88s / PS2 being designed to be transparent. Would love to hear this extended to include the PS100, LXII, 2502, and 2902.

[@itsmejoewbrown]

Power station held its own. Costs and weighs less too

[@zenlandzipline]

It’s also only mono, all the others are stereo. That’s going to be a big weight and money difference.

[@PepeRubio77]

For me the most neutral and best soundng has been incredibly the power station 50W. The one with 6550 I supossed it should sound brighter but it isn't

[@fixpedalboards1969]

Hmmm, tough to decide which one I want to lug in my rack the leas….er…I mean sounded best😉 And considering that you’re gonna have almost no chance of just going and buying one of the VHT’s anywhere I’m pretty happy with the Powerstation

[@megma78]

All good. KT88 best

[@TavaresProject]

I preferred the power station. It was the most well-balanced overall... not harsh... not dull.. Btw is this an old vid that never got released? It's the old studio.

[@robertritzenthaler3775]

Michael...you gotta upload these in 1080p!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Totally! I actually made this video over a year ago and I just found a copy of it. It was before I switched over to 1080

[@gkol69]

6550 for the drives and KT88 for the cleans, especially the clean Strat at the end is more in-your-face with the KT88 amp. I think the 6550 is an all-rounder, the cleans are not far behind. The EL34 has the "Marshall sound", with upper sizzle and grind, but 6550 and KT88 are heavier sounding and less harsh. 6550 has some grind but KT88 is too smooth with driven sound.

[@drscottrobertson]

There are no wrong answers with Fryette power amps - regret selling my Classic 10 years ago.. I love the KT88 powered 2/90/2 and my LXII. All are the gold standard.

[@killingmasheen]

You should try a Mesa Boogie preamp through a VHT poweramp and compare it against a Boogie poweramp! I have a feeling the VHT might better handle the extended frequency range of the graphic EQ than a Boogie poweramp but I've never heard a side by side comparison of the two.

[@SlimeyGuitarStrings]

I think he sort of did that in an older video where he put a bunch of pre-amps through a VHT.

[@killingmasheen]

​​@@SlimeyGuitarStringsYeah I saw it but the preamps were a Bogner and a Rockman I do believe. Both those preamps are Marshall based designs with a typical 3 band passive EQ. Mesa's 5 band graphic EQ puts out a really hot signal to the poweramp across a wide frequency range which is difficult for many poweramps, Mesa Boogie included. VHT/Fryette poweramps are designed like hifi amps. Turns out Steve Fryette was like a hifi audio prodigy at the age of 11!😮

[@jasonsapp792]

I thought you left that desk at your old office space?

[@lore88824]

My vote goes to the 6550, ballsier and thicker in the sat tones, less hi mids on the cleans.

[@coalfacechris1336]

For me the Power Station.

[@AlexandreCriado]

Unfortunately the powerstation is my least favorite. It's not bad but the sound is more focused and kind of "tiny", not on itself but compared to the others. My Fav is by far the 2150 with the KT88s, sounds huge ! The EL34 Classic is quite different from all the others with a gnarly coloration that I like. As always, the HH is surprisingly good ... but I think it should paired with a BBE to give its best

[@mpaige101]

Each worked with different things. The KT88, sounded best to me with the Soldano ch2, followed by the EL34 and PS. I didn’t really like the JMP overall, but thought it worked well with 6550 and the HH a bit. Soldano ch1 sounded great with the EL34s and the KT88. The PS was ‘fine’ across the board. The 6550 sounded too dark and muddy to me throughout most of this. The HH, eh. I wouldn’t buy one, but I wouldn’t toss it either. I would sell it for a VHT or PS given the chance though. 😜

[@JONNIE_ROCKER]

I wonder how a tubeworks mv-946 would sounds against a real tube power amp

[@Echoplexi.]

I might be biased (no pun) because I have one, but to me the KT88 2150 was the best sounding, with actually the PS coming in second

[@zenlandzipline]

I had the 2150 for 20 years. I have the Classic now for about 12 years. All I know is this: it costs me like $500-$700 to re-tube the Classic. The 2150 was cheaper to re-tube (it uses half the tubes)

[@mathiasmouret5288]

X88/HH800 ?

[@mariannegarnier78]

Purple is my favourite, classic a close second, blue and ps1 my least faved. The ps1 sounds nice tho. The HH, I only like it with gain, it sounds very compressed on the clean tones.

[@brendanlucero8585]

I'm gonna ask a really dumb question. What the heck is a power amp and why would one need one? I'm being serious. 1: What do they do? 2: Do they go before or after a regular amp? 3: Do they enhance said amp? I would greatly appreciate an answer because I seem to never get a straightforward layman's answer.

[@mdl12321]

Integrated (regular) amplifier integrates preamp section and poweramp section (and some other things in HiFi world, f.e. various inputs and outputs). Guitar heads (integrated amplifiers for guitarists) have effects loop between these 2 sections and possibly some eq applied after signal returns from effects loop and before signal enters power section. Preamp shapes sound and makes signal hotter or louder, and poweramp amplifies that sound that was shaped in preamp. And as you can hear here, poweramp adds something to the sound too (robustness, clarity, its own eq which may be more or less neutral etc.). VHT poweramps are very neutral but each in its own way and you tune it further by selection of tubes etc. You can combine poweramp with any preamp, so for example you can use Pedalboard placed tube preamp from Effectrode that sounds like Blackface Fender combo’s preamp and the whole pedalboard can go into just poweramp unit such as these. And because they are stereo, you can split signal on your pedalboard after preamp and use pedals that do stereo sound exactly as if you had guitar head with stereo return effects loop and stereo poweramp unit amplifies both signals and sends left sound to left speaker and right sound to right speaker and voila, you have room full of stereo effected (or affected?) guitar sounds. That is how live use could look like, but poweramps can be also used in studio. And why tube poweramps and not solid state pedalboard poweramps? Because not only valve preamps sound better (more organic) than their digital or jfet counterparts, but also valve poweramps can sound better than their solidstate counterparts. The drawback is the weight and size and fan noise of these valve power units. Quality may not matter that much when you use digital preamps and effects from something like Quad Cortex, but if your whole pedalboard has analogue effects on it (possibly with some digital effects as well) and you try to keep the sound quality as natural as possible (valve buffer only, other effects with true bypass), then you do not want to ruin it near the end of signal chain by solidstate poweramp. And I am talking clean and slightly overdriven sound here. BTW you will hear some benefits of valves in poweramp with distorted guitar too, especially on more extreme volume settings. Some even say that poweramp part of guitar head is more crucial to the sound of metal guitarist than its preamp part, and therefore pairing Quad Cortex with valve poweramp may not be entirely bad idea, but it still will not match sound of old valve guitar heads. It wins only in transportability.

[@GEX-_-]

If i had to choose between purple and blue. Id be happy with purple.

[@Goodgraciousohmy]

Kt88 sounded best to me, Power station can definitely hang with the big boys and I thought the solid state sounded ok with the distortion the cleans not so much my thing but might be what someone wants

[@toddd1399]

Purple wins🎉

[@bonzology322]

Fryette sounded least there, which to me is the best for post processing, to my ears everything else came off as hooded in comparison

[@plugnplaybaby]

This raises the question: why has Steve discontinued the legendary amps he has made thus far? Pittbull is a beast, Deliverance is great, Sig X is as versatile as it gets. But Steve, for the love of everything, give me back the option to buy a Pittbull

[@myuncle2]

Great, this is a reminder that a good or bad sound is the combinations between a good preamp and a good power amp. For example the only good power amp here are the VHT 2150 and the VHT classic, all the other power amps suck, including the Fryette. The same is for preamp, the JMP1 sucks compared to the Soldano.