Low Wattage valve amps - Help me decide

[Brow]

Hey guys.

I'm seriously considering buying a low wattage valve amp, mainly for recording purposes.

The 2 I'm considering are either a Matamp Minimat 2w head, or a Cornell Romany 2.5w-10w switchable valve combo.

The Matamp Minimat is a handwired 2w valve amp that also has a switchable boost function and a built in attenuater. It has speaker outputs for connecting to either an 8ohm or a 16ohm speaker cab. It is also the cheaper of the 2 :)

The Cornell Romany is also an all valve, handwired amp that has a 2 band EQ, EQ cut switch which removes the EQ circuit from the signal path, and is switchable from 10w down to around 2.5w. It comes stock with either a 10" or 12" Jensen speaker.

Both have pros and cons, but I'm just working it through in my head and was wondering what you guys thought :)

Here's the specs for each amp:

Cornell Romany - http://www.dc-developments.com/products-home.htm#romany

Matamp Minimat - http://www.matamp.co.uk/minimat.htm

Craig

[willo]

Buy either one and I'm jealous! :P

Have you got the opportunity to try either?

[Brow]

Buy either one and I'm jealous! :P

Have you got the opportunity to try either?

I tried the Romany at Music Live. I tried it on both 2.5w and 10w settings, and on the 10w setting it got pretty loud through it's 1x10 speaker :) From what i could hear, it sounded like a great little amp.

I haven't tried a Minimat yet, but I've been intouch with Matamp and they've invited me up to their factort to try some out :)

So when I have a break in my schedule (and when I can find a way to get there) I'm gonna head up with Strat and BKs inhand :D

[indysmith]

either would sound great i think - you really do need to try the matamp to decide!

[Brow]

either would sound great i think - you really do need to try the matamp to decide!

At the minute, the Cornell is leading my decision.

At 2.5w-10w, it'll have enough power to gig with (PA dependant of course). The Matamp has a final rating of 2w, so maybe I'd struggle if I ever needed slightly more from it?

That's why, at this moment, the Cornell is infront slightly :)

Anyone got any other opinions/advice?

Craig

[TwilightOdyssey]

Anyone got any other opinions/advice?

Craig

YES ... get a Hot Plate for your Orange.

NO ... Shel did not put me up to this. :)

[Brow]

YES ... get a Hot Plate for your Orange.

NO ... Shel did not put me up to this. :)

I'll bet she did  :twisted:

It is a good idea though.

It'd be cheaper than buying a new amp, and I could also use it on my Marshalls as well as the Orange :)

I've heard that attenuators can damage your amp though?

[HJM]

No more than running at high volume without one, components are under more stress when the amp is running loud, so I guess they could fail earlier. But that's not the fault of the attenuator, just the amp's manufacturer!! You'll use your power valves up faster though!

At 2.5w that'll still be pretty loud through an efficient speaker like a vintage 30 that can do 100dB with 1w of power.....you'll probably want an attenuator with the Cornell.

[Floyd Pepper]

Brow,  I was going to check out the Cornell's until I tried a Cornford Harlequin and stopped looking.  I'd recommend trying a Cornford because I think it's ace.  :)  From what I've read it's more of a modern sound then the Cornell.

The new Cornford Carerra looks even more ace - you can swap valve types and it has a reverb.

If you try a Cornford let me know how it compares to the other low wattage amps you've tried.

[math2014]

Brow,  I was going to check out the Cornell's until I tried a Cornford Harlequin and stopped looking.  I'd recommend trying a Cornford because I think it's ace.  :)  From what I've read it's more of a modern sound then the Cornell.

The new Cornford Carerra looks even more ace - you can swap valve types and it has a reverb.

If you try a Cornford let me know how it compares to the other low wattage amps you've tried.

The Carrera looks impressive!!!! But (maybe i am wrong) sounds a bit too much $$$.  1000GBP for it? Strange...

Also it says it is rated 5-8W, and it accepts a single EL34... wouldnt a single EL34 put out more W than 8W?

[indysmith]

i guess it depends on what kind of resistance is in the circuit?? P=IV, so if the current (I) is decreased (through resistors), the power (W) should decrease also...

...am i talking complete cr@p?

[HJM]

Depends on how it's wired up, how many volts/class, that kind of thing!

[Brow]

Thanx for the posts guys :)

I wasn't looking at spending more than around £500 to be honest  :?

I've found in the past when trying amps that I prefer amps that are more vintage sounding. Nothing against 'modern' sounding amps, I just find myself preferring amps with more of a vintage 'vibe' to them  8)

Depending how I get on with my repaired JTM60, and any decisions I make as regards a power attenuator, I'd probably go for the Cornell as I see it as being more versatile than the Matamp while still retaining everything I'm looking for ina  recording amp :)

[jt]

:D I can confirm that HJM`s statment about 2 watts being loud is absolutley correct. I`ve got a Sheldon TT3 & it`s shocking how loud it is ! it`s actually unplayable in my flat as the neighbours 4 doors down complain about the noise !!!! It`s got a Celestion "Vintage" 30 watt speaker [ Great Speakers Vintages highly recommended ] but i`m faced with having to get an attenuater. TO was right i think just get a Hotplate.

 :D  8)

[seancorker]

Bit late probably on this thread but have just read it
If you want to spend £500 then go for the Cornford harlequin. Every time I Switch it on and hit that first chord I get a big grin on my face. The variety sounds you can get out of it are incredible. Its party piece is as a recording amp it sits in the mix beautifully. In a rehearsal situation you are limited to the distorted tones because of the lack of head room. but thats not why you buy it.

Hope that helps
Sean