Dallas vs HXDA

HANGAR18 said:
Definitely a unique and interesting amp. It will take me a while to grow accustomed to how this amp behaves.
It didn't have to look good, but DAMN, it really does look good! It even smells good. hahaha
With this NEW AMP DAY, that's it. I'm done buying amps for the foreseeable future. I own every amp on the market worth having. hahaha
HXDA_0277.jpg


Looking through the grille in the back, the tubes looked like they were slanted to the side a little bit instead of straight up and down. Both EL34's had the exact same slant to them so I'm guessing that the amp in transit got dropped on its side once pretty good. But all is well, I gently straightened them up, making sure they are seated properly and the amp works fine.

The BIAS info is clearly posted on the outside of he case! That's a great idea! Why doesn't everyone do that? I didnt' check to see what it was set to because I just wanted to plug it in and see how it sounded.
HXDA_0275.jpg


Looks like there are more transformers than tubes.
HXDA_0274.jpg


HXDAwPRS-3amps.jpg


A welcome addition to my collection of PRS amplifiers.
Click to expand...

That's a hot lookin' line! Glad you caved in on the HXDA. Congrats!
 
HANGAR18 said:
It didn't have to look good, but DAMN, it really does look good! It even smells good. hahaha
Click to expand...
Seriously. Just quoting this to reiterate -- I concur with this statement, and it is nicely and concisely phrased. I even heard the laugh (coming from myself) before -- it's a bit maniacal, innit?

And damn, nice looking lineup.
 
HANGAR18 said:
Definitely a unique and interesting amp. It will take me a while to grow accustomed to how this amp behaves.
It didn't have to look good, but DAMN, it really does look good! It even smells good. hahaha
With this NEW AMP DAY, that's it. I'm done buying amps for the foreseeable future. I own every amp on the market worth having. hahaha
HXDA_0277.jpg


Looking through the grille in the back, the tubes looked like they were slanted to the side a little bit instead of straight up and down. Both EL34's had the exact same slant to them so I'm guessing that the amp in transit got dropped on its side once pretty good. But all is well, I gently straightened them up, making sure they are seated properly and the amp works fine.

The BIAS info is clearly posted on the outside of he case! That's a great idea! Why doesn't everyone do that? I didnt' check to see what it was set to because I just wanted to plug it in and see how it sounded.
HXDA_0275.jpg


Looks like there are more transformers than tubes.
HXDA_0274.jpg


HXDAwPRS-3amps.jpg


A welcome addition to my collection of PRS amplifiers.
Click to expand...

Looks really, really sweet! And it should sound great with the old Marshall cab as well.

Let me know if you need any pointers on settings, though I'm sure you'll get it down once you spend some time with it.
 
LSchefman said:
Looks really, really sweet! And it should sound great with the old Marshall cab as well.

Let me know if you need any pointers on settings, though I'm sure you'll get it down once you spend some time with it.
Click to expand...

Well, I've always lived in the world of two channels and push button jumping from clean sound #1 to dirty sound #2. I've never owned one of those amps (till recent years) which is touch sensitive and that whole bit about going from clean to dirty without touching the amp. That is all still relatively new to me and my amp collection is largely the result of my adventure in learning which has brought me here to this place. I've never understood that thing with Plexi amps and using a little jumper cables between the 4 holes but this amp seems like it is a much better design and easier to maintain.

For this amp, I'm thinking that it isn't going to be just about the amp and the cabinet but I also want to plug in the most complimentary guitar as well. I took it for a test drive with the McCarty 594. Any other guitars would probably be in the Les Paul design category. I've discovered some sounds which sound really good, but I've also discovered some things in the category of "oops, don't do that again". So, I do think it would be helpful to get some recipies from others who have cooked with both the Dallas and the HXDA amps. By recipes, I mean in the format of "Song Name, first dial set to (1-10), second dial set to (1-10)" etc.as examples of what worked for others. Some amp makes include print outs of dial settings cheat sheets. But since PRS doesn't do that, it would be up to us to post stuff like that here on this web site. Maybe someone can start a favorite PRS amp settings thread for each amp model.
 
Les' "Favorite" settings for the HXDA:

Note: I set the guitar to get a good semi-clean "edge of breakup tone" with the guitar volume on any of my PRSes at around 5-6. So that's where I start. That way I can roll up the volume for a great overdriven sound, and roll it down a touch for a nice clean sound.

These are the settings I use most often; I like to get an elastic, "Duane Live At The Fillmore With A Little More Crunch Up Top" tone.

Switches, left to right: DA, DA, HX

Knobs, left to right:

HXDA Gain: 10-12 o'clock, depending on the guitar

Bass Gain: 8-9 o'clock, depending on the guitar, cabinet and room

Treble: 10 o'clock (at relatively low volumes, more treble = too much scream, but at very high volume things can change).

Middle: 12 o'clock to 2 o'clock, depending on the guitar

Bass: 12 o'clock to 2 o'clock, depending on the guitar, the cabinet and the room

Presence: 10 o'clock-12 o'clock, depending on room

Master Volume: usually around 12 o'clock - 2 o'clock depending on whether someone comes to my door with a gun telling me to turn it down. ;) Yes, it's loud this way. But vintage style amps like to be opened up (though the HXDA has a good master volume IMHO).

With hotter pickups I keep the gain lower, with less hot pickups, or if I split the pickups, I turn the gain up.

I don't do this song by song, because I write originals. So I'm not shooting for someone else's tones, except, as noted above I like the general overall sound of the Fillmore recording with this amp -- or at least what I think of as that sound in my mind's ear.

More notes:

I have an NOS early 70s Mullard in the V1 preamp tube position, and some cherry-picked-for-low-noise JJ ECC83S tubes in V2 and 3, however, I plan to install another NOS Mullard in V2 at some point (I have one on hand), along with a set of Siemens NOS EL34s made in Germany (probably by RFT). I'm waiting for the stock Winged Cs to wear out before I do that, however.

Final Note: These are settings I use with a PRS birch ply Big Mouth 2x12 with V-30s. These settings also worked with my old Mesa Recto 2x12 closed back. They might be different with other cabs.
 
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HXDA envy taking over here in the UK - you guys are driving my GAS for one of these babies to new highs ..

Until I find one in Europe, I'll just have to be content with my current line up. And no, I really cannot complain :cool::D:D
 
I paid part of it, so it's definite, but I need to send the Archon in trade, and I just haven't yet.
 
I just don't have room for an amp fortress. I know, I should keep it, because it's purple. Dagnabit...alright, I'll think about keeping it for now.
 
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Almost all.

Although, that said, you could spend an entire lifetime with just that kit and be perfectly happy with one's tone...
 
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