Dual or Triple

[gearjunkie]

hey guys. I have been starting to look at buying a new Recto again lately. I'm just wondering that given the price difference is basically nothing what does everyone prefer the dual or triple. Doesn't seem to be much difference to me other than more power on the triple. Is there any reason to buy one or the other? It seems to me there are a lot more duals out there than triples.Any comments or opinions are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[fluff191]

The differences are slight. I own a Dual and can't imagine owning a Triple in terms of volume. The Duals are so effing loud and the sheer cost of a retube on a triple had me steer clear of them.

But like everything it boils down to personal preference.

[cradlefish]

The sound is just about the same. The only real difference aside from the extra power tubes and an additional rectifier tube is the Triple Rect has tighter bass due to the extra head room and addition of two extra power tubes. Other than the cost of retubing, more volume, and tighter bass.....it's basically the same.

[Dave G.]

I agree. Its really just the (slight) volume difference. However you do get alot more headroom on the clean channels with the triple and there have slightly tighter bass responce. On the other hand though i cant see anyone ever needing the full power of a triple. Even when recording people only get to turn them up to about 7 or 8. Id go for the dual as its cheaper to retube and your more likely to get to use the full power from it. The amount of time you will use cleans if you're getting a recto would suggest you wont need the headroom on the cleans either

[MesaENGR412]

I agree with the above statements, and will put in that for some reason the new Dual Recs seem to have a louder clean than the previous models. Even when set up the same as my Triple Rec in terms of settings, the Dual's cleans can easily hang with the Triple's. Perhaps it is because they are clearer, and more bell-like . I also like the fact that I only have to get two sets of power tubes and two rectifier tubes, and you seem to get a little more power amp saturation (albeit Rectos don't do much in this area I have read) with the Dual, and you get to turn up the amp slightly more, perhaps hitting the preamp a little harder. Either amp is plenty loud for almost all applications, and if you ever find yourself needing more power, then I would suggest a rackmounted power amp to boost your recto's preamp. Perhaps a Recto 2:100 or even a Mesa Strategy 400 .

-AJH

[Pig Muffin]

I agree with the above statements, and will put in that for some reason the new Dual Recs seem to have a louder clean than the previous models. Even when set up the same as my Triple Rec in terms of settings, the Dual's cleans can easily hang with the Triple's. Perhaps it is because they are clearer, and more bell-like . I also like the face that I only have to get two sets of power tubes and two rectifier tubes, and you seem to get a little more power amp saturation (albeit Rectos don't do much in this area I have read) with the Dual, and you get to turn up the amp slightly more, perhaps hitting the preamp a little harder. Either amp is plenty loud for almost all applications, and if you ever find yourself needing more power, then I would suggest a rackmounted power amp to boost your recto's preamp. Perhaps a Recto 2:100 or even a Mesa Strategy 400 .

-AJH

Dude love the music man! I love that sound.

[MesaENGR412]

Dude love the music man! I love that sound.

Thanks so much! I appreciate it a lot!

-AJH

[Neptical]

Everything has been said in this thread. See all answers above.

~Nep~

[mikey383]

The differences are slight. I own a Dual and can't imagine owning a Triple in terms of volume. The Duals are so effing loud and the sheer cost of a retube on a triple had me steer clear of them.

But like everything it boils down to personal preference.

This.

I've owned both Triples and Duals, and I'd go with the Dual any day.

There's not enough of a difference to substantiate buying a Triple, unless you're playing unmic'd large venues.

[gearjunkie]

Thanks for the info guys!

[Melodyman]

Triples sound more aggressive to me, even at lower volume levels.

[gearjunkie]

See, that's what I've heard or read somewhere. Triple's have a bit more gain because of the extra rectifier and are more aggressive. I have no idea if this is true, or where I heard it.

[boss4]

I have already cross with triples in a gig or two and never see any diferences. With +/- the same volume the tone is identical.

[YellowJacket]

As far as I have heard, the Triple is better for major drop tuned stuff. It can just handle the super low frequencies better and remain tight. While I personally found that the Dual 'opened up' sooner than the triple, with the Reborn version this is moot. Just swap down to 50watts if you don't need all the power.
I also know for a fact that the triple has more thump and a somewhat thicker / aggressive tone.

[MesaENGR412]

Just swap down to 50watts if you don't need all the power.
I also know for a fact that the triple has more thump and a somewhat thicker / aggressive tone.

This could be, however, if you know you aren't going to be able to use the full 150 watt power section, then you won't really benefit from having the extra tubes. Just something to think about. Even with my new Duals there is a slight difference in "thump" and aggression between 50 and 100 watt modes. I normally run 100 watts most of the time, and only switch down to 50 watts on the od channels if the venue is the size of a cracker box

-AJH