Orange AD140HTC Bias Level

[matthewwatt2412]

Hey guys,

I've just recently re valved my AD140 with eh pre amp and el34 power valves. I calculated just under 15w when re biasing them but the amps still relatively quiet and my friends 50w marshal combo is a wee bit louder. What does everyone tend to bias there amps to? Is 15w quite low?

Also is it ture of the AD140 that alot of the volume lies in the last few turns of the volume knob?

[thenetsux]

i bias my ad140 around 35mA i believe, just like most el34 recommendations. yes, it is true that the largest amount of volume increase is in the last 45 degrees of the volume knob. you shouldn't expect your amp to have the same volume as other amps at the same settings, it's a different amp. what cab are you using and what is your friend using? speaker sensitivity has a lot to do with your volume, as well as how many speakers (ie, your playing through a 1x12 and your friend has a 4x12).

[matthewwatt2412]

Ok cool i think i might adjust the bias slightly, i think it's just shy of 29mA at the moment. It's the Orange standard 4x12 cab i use, it's plenty loud enough really.

Thank you

[thenetsux]

No problem. I'd recommend playing around with different bias settings and see which you like best. You can find the "sweet spot" and your fine as long as you stay under around 40mA. You'll just burn through tubes a bit faster, but it's worth if for tone. Orange's are darker sounding amps, but they seem to find their own space in the mix with most other amps. Welcome to the forum, btw.