DSL 50 or 100

[sellen]

I currently use my dsl 401 with a 1936v cabinet(2*12 vintage 30)

But im kinda tiered of dragging it from home to practice, so i found a add on a used dsl 100. But i kinda worried it will be to much. Is the dsl 100 designed for bigger stages or is it usable for smaller places. Don't wanna end up with a attenuator or have the volume on 3(my dsl 401 is cranked all the way to 10 on rehearsing) . Is there a big difference between dsl 100 and dsl 50 on these matters. Do these heads prefer a 4*12 cabs or is it fine with a 2*12?

 

[poeman33]

Since the DSL sounds good at low volumes...there will be no problem using a DSL100 in a smaller venue. Sure, it won't sound as sweet as it does cranked, but it will sound pretty damn good. There isn't that much volume difference in the DSL 50 vs the DSL100...about 3db I think. The 50 is pretty loud too, but the 100 will have more clean headroom.

If you use a 2x12, you have to consider which speakers it has. You don't want to be using a 2x12 with greenbacks with the 100. A stock 1936 with two GT75s would be okay though. My DSL50 sounds fuller with a 4x12 of course, but I use a 2x12 lots for smaller stuff.

 

[sellen]

Since the DSL sounds good at low volumes...there will be no problem using a DSL100 in a smaller venue. Sure, it won't sound as sweet as it does cranked, but it will sound pretty damn good. There isn't that much volume difference in the DSL 50 vs the DSL100...about 3db I think. The 50 is pretty loud too, but the 100 will have more clean headroom.

If you use a 2x12, you have to consider which speakers it has. You don't want to be using a 2x12 with greenbacks with the 100. A stock 1936 with two GT75s would be okay though. My DSL50 sounds fuller with a 4x12 of course, but I use a 2x12 lots for smaller stuff.

Thanks man. I have a 1936v cabinet with two vintage 30 speakers, will that be ok

 

[Ken]

The difference between the 50 and 100 is clean headroom. Most people like the 100 better but I'm quite happy with my 50, which I bought for it's LESS clean headroom.

Ken

 

[poeman33]

Thanks man. I have a 1936v cabinet with two vintage 30 speakers, will that be ok

That cab would be rated for 120 - 140 watts, depending on the particular speakers. That's cutting it pretty close...but if you are playing at low volumes you should be okay. Generally it is recommended that the cab be rated double what the output of the amp is, but if you look at some of the threads here, alot of us have used cabinets that are way less than double with no problems at all. My 2x12 has 1 G12H30, which is rated at 30watts, and 1 V30, which is rated at 60 watts...so the cab would be rated at 60 watts. I've played though that cab pretty damn loud and it never whimpered for a second and still sounds nice and tight. But it is cutting it close.

 

[p90strat]

Ditto what Ken said...... !00 for mor clean headroom but if your gonning for tube distortion at high volume I'd go with the 50 because it will get you there and not be too loud although he's also stated what I have observed in that I can't detect a lot of difference in the volume between the two. The 50 is also quite loud. I opted for two 50 watt heads for that same reason, for gain sound. I leave them almost dimed and go from there fiddleing with everything else guitar, eq and pedals. But pure amp sound is always there, nice fat, thick, tight like a big fist.

Best regards,

P90strat

 

[Ken]

Also, the 50 is cheaper to re-tube!

Ken

 

[sellen]

Thanks guys for your input. Reading your post i might think the dsl 50 suit my needs best. One thing is certain, it's gonna be a marshall. I had recently a egnater tweaker 40 that i sold, good amp but it just hadn't that raw marshall sound

 

[Jason77]

I have both and prefer the 100.

First, you won't be getting "power tube distortion" out of either amp, as the dirt comes primarily from the preamp. Crank your clean channel and see how loud it can get it and stay clean. Also, what most people refer to as power tube distortion is actually the phase inverter being saturated.

What you will get out of the 100w is a bigger sounding amp with more grunt. Its more what you feel than what you hear. By their nature, a 100w will produce better cleans.

Like Ken said, its cheaper to retube the 50w but, to me, that's the only thing the 50 has over the 100.

 

[diesect20022000]

If you play metal then 100. otherwise it's really up to you. the 50's cheaper on tubes and compresses earlier but both are primarily preamp tones so other than the "tightness and punch" or smoothness and affordablility" (100 or 50) there's not much to decide on.


they're the same amp with subtle differences based on those aspects.

50 will be cheaper and have quicker compression (ing) and 100 will be punchier and have more clarity and clean headroom so you will have a cleaner response.

either is WAY more than sufficient though for all needs today.

So, try them both and take your pick.

 

[dptone5]

I own both 50 and 100 Watt heads and I do prefer the sound of the 100 Watt heads in general.

 

[maxime1122]

For DSLs, I see no reasons to take a 50 over 100... Except retube costs

I prefer 100 watters, but some prefer 50.

 

[sellen]

a lot of love for the dsl 100 here. Diesect2002200 say try em' both, wish i could but they don't have them in the stores around me. So it's used or online shop for me. And i guess i don't really know what's the right amp before i play'ed it with the band at the rehearsing room . Anyway i wont stress it as my dsl 401 sounds pretty good through the 1936v cabinet, but it lacks a little bit of power. So i will get one of them.
Thanks guys for your answers

 

[Ken]

I have both and prefer the 100.

First, you won't be getting "power tube distortion" out of either amp, as the dirt comes primarily from the preamp. Crank your clean channel and see how loud it can get it and stay clean. Also, what most people refer to as power tube distortion is actually the phase inverter being saturated.

What you will get out of the 100w is a bigger sounding amp with more grunt. Its more what you feel than what you hear. By their nature, a 100w will produce better cleans.

Like Ken said, its cheaper to retube the 50w but, to me, that's the only thing the 50 has over the 100.

This is all true, but even though the power tubes are a minor player on a DSL, both amps with identical gain and volume settings will sound different. The power tubes do play a roll; if they didn't you could have a SS power section which would be cheaper.

I respect that maybe 2/3 of DSL owners prefer the 100 watt versions but when I buy a second DSL I'm likely to get another 50. Maybe I'm just stubborn? The fact my stack has 100 dB speakers also plays a roll; how loud do I need to be?

Ken

 

[Rahlstin]

Use a 100 cause it has one more zero in the number. Im all about supporting zeros.....

 

[paul-e-mann]

I'd go for the DSL50 cuz you got a 1936 cab with V30's. 50 or 100 would work but with the 50 you have more elbow room watts wise on the 2x12 for cranking. No worries.

 

[DSL 50]

Been using a DSL 50 with a 1936 Greenback loaded cab for the past 4 years with no issues. (Master on 4)

The 50 and 100 watt DSL heads sound much better than the 401 combos.

 

[Johnt]

Been using a DSL 50 with a 1936 Greenback loaded cab for the past 4 years with no issues. (Master on 4)

The 50 and 100 watt DSL heads sound much better than the 401 combos.

Can you describe how the DSL heads sound much better than the 401s? What am I missing?

John

 

[paul-e-mann]

Been using a DSL 50 with a 1936 Greenback loaded cab for the past 4 years with no issues. (Master on 4)

The 50 and 100 watt DSL heads sound much better than the 401 combos.

Me too, but I often wonder if I played at volume 8 or more would the speakers last. 4 is as loud as I'll ever need, its plenty loud.

 

[jcmjmp]

The bigggest difference between the heads and 401/201 combos is the feature set and power section.