Jvm 205h vs 205c

[jimig]

Going to buy new amp can't decide 205h or 205c already have Marshall jcm600h voodoo modded and Marshall 4-12 but was thinking of down sizing any bonuses head vs combo performance wise .

 

[mickeydg5]

A head and a convertible cabinet would be the best basic setup.
That gives separate units and less weight per unit.

 

[Grogshla]

head > combo. More speaker options that way

 

[Gyroman]

Well, with the combo it's only one trip to/from the car...

The only other reason to go for the combo over the head is if you specifically want the Vintage 30/Heritage speaker combination and your current cab doesn't have it.

Edit to add: The combo is open-backed, so if you prefer a closed back cab that may also be something to take into consideration.

 

[Salsg]

I've had a 205 combo. I would suggest the head and a convertibe 2x12. The combo is too small, and I didn't like the tone. It wasn't so much open back, because I use only open back, including my 4x12. The cab is too small to get fullness out of the speakers in the combo.

 

[jimig]

Thanks bought the 205 head love it little bright any suggestions on a tube swap looking to warm it up . was thinking mullards wish sed tubes were still made . came with tung sol el34 not sure about preamp tubes except 12ax7's

 

[dreyn77]

if it's bright then the speakers are the problem. etc...
the valves are just dealing with gain sounds.

 

[jimig]

speakers are wgs invaders 1960 a cab thanks for the help

 

[The_Rocker]

I had a JVM205C.... As well as a JVM410H with a 4x12....

In short.... The 205C was a weak, small sounding piece of crap. I did run it through an extra 2x12 sometimes which gave it a bit more.... But it never had 'the thing'.

 

[G the wildman]

I had a JVM205C.... As well as a JVM410H with a 4x12....

In short.... The 205C was a weak, small sounding piece of crap. I did run it through an extra 2x12 sometimes which gave it a bit more.... But it never had 'the thing'.

A little harsh. The 2x12 combo sounds great. But of course if you are a gigging musician a head and cab increase possibilities.

G

 

[Shae201]

I think the stock preamp tubes are Marshall branded as Shuguang tubes. You can try Tung-sol in V1 and Mullard in V2,that's my go goto combo.

 

[Sickriverlespaul]

Make sure the bias is set correct, they will always come cold. I like a Millard ax7 v1, eh ay7 in v2 and the rest seems to make little difference to me.

 

[Sickriverlespaul]

Get an orange 2x12, that thing will have bass responce

 

[Deep Purple fan]

I had a JVM205C.... As well as a JVM410H with a 4x12....

In short.... The 205C was a weak, small sounding piece of crap. I did run it through an extra 2x12 sometimes which gave it a bit more.... But it never had 'the thing'.

I can't comment on your experience with your amp other than it's different than mine though I have a JVM410C. I was a 4x12 guy for a long time and still have three with various speakers but they are all in storage because I figured out it's all about volume and the room you play.

Sure, in a larger venue 4x12s rock. No question about that. But the last time I played a big enough venue to drive a 4x12 was 2007. In my studio or most clubs I get much better results with a 2x12. In fairness, I stumbled on discovering this. I had a 210H matched to a 1960TV with Greenbacks and a 2203X matched to a 1960 with old 1980s G12-75s. i was in a constant state of tone chasing, close but never really happy, until I picked up a 410C. My studio is a 20x 20 space, not a small room, but the 410C tone sounded much better. I don't play bedroom volume, I open them up. I then plugged my heads into combos speakers and there it was.

I see the OP bought a head. To me, the real issue is 2x12 or 4x12 not head versus combo. In my music room I have all my heads matched to 2x12s and I find it much easier to dial in the tones I'm looking for.

 

[Matt_Krush]

Just received my 205H.
Demo unit from Sweet Water (the first was a B-Stock that was defective).

Both came with JJ EL34's and the mix of White Label 12AX7s and Red Label (JJ) 12AX7s.
first one was evenly biased at 30mv, the second 36mv (I left it at the 36mv)

The 205H has the minimum of what I want, a Clean Green, Crunch Red, and OD2.

Sounds just as good as my 410H (actually it is much quieter..won't have to gate it as much as my 410)
It is definitely not weak compared to the 410...its all there.
Already added the Choke, Negative Feedback control and bright cap switch.

My 410 has the KT77s and a mix bag of pre-amp tubes...The 205 I am just leaving whats in there alone.
I did roll a few but the stock ones are perfectly fine....Now I have to wait for that damn TC Nova System.

 

[nkay]

The 205H has the minimum of what I want, a Clean Green, Crunch Red, and OD2.

Sounds just as good as my 410H (actually it is much quieter..won't have to gate it as much as my 410)

I just rented a JVM 205H to refresh my memory on this series. I used to own a JVM410 and it was too compressed and noisy for me.

I was surprised that the JVM 205 was MUCH less noisy than the 410. Still compressed but sounded more alive and less hissy than the 410. I may keep my eye out for a used one now.

 

[EADGBE]

I have a Marshall TSL602 combo. And that thing is really heavy. The last time I had it serviced I had to take the chassis out of its shell and take it in that way. Long story short I'll never buy another combo again. Plus a Marshall 4x12 sounds really great. So I say go for the head.

 

[paul-e-mann]

Never a combo it's just too heavy.

 

[DSL 50]

Always Head/Combo FTW

 

[G the wildman]

Never a combo it's just too heavy.

But manageable