NAD PRS HDRX 20... Get Experienced!

[Maggot Brain]

Got another H55-PVC and Wizard on the way, can't wait and will definitely post some clips of this rig in action. I'm confident it will impress, damn near feels like I'm playing thru one of Jimi's rigs... I've finally achieved a major goal of mine and can't wait to get some decent recordings of it in action.

HDRX 20 + 4x12 w/ Scumback H55-PVC & Eminence Wizard + 20 years of Hendrix worship = scary accurate Hensrix tones.

 

[chocol8]

Have you tried it with a full stack yet?

 

[Maxbrothman]

It sounds perfect with fuzz, both germanium and silicon. I don't currently own an octavio but I'd imagine it would pair perfectly considering the amp voicing and behavior is nailed down pretty impressively for a 20w variant. I even found the Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz sounds best to my ears thru the HDRX 20. I generally don't like the Axis Fuzz as it sounds thin and grating thru most amps I've played it thru but all my fuzzes sound great thru the HDRX. It responds how I'd expect a Superlead to respond to fuzz, input and volume.

I really wish I had kept my deja vibe a bit longer, I'd love to hear that thru this amp but I'm hoping to have another vibe soon.

I've had my ass kicked by the flu otherwise I would have had some clips uploaded by now. I'm just starting to feel better and hoping to pull the energy together soon.

I have a Belle Epoch Deluxe with a roto-swirl/Leslie setting on 3. See the manual here. It has the EP3 boost in front, and this pedal is not for the FX loop, as it is used directly. It matches well with a Plexi. So while I have looked at Vibes, I feel it isn't significantly different enough from the Lesie for me to get one.

I want to try some Axis fuzz but having listened to shootouts I don't know if it's significantly different from the blue Hendrix fuzz. I think with fuzz like this you probably are better off getting a few different ones and picking the one that fits the rig and tone for that song.

 

[Dean Swindell]

Wanted to give an update!

So I was out of commission for a little over a week with the flu, it kicked my ass pretty good. I've slowly felt better day by day for the past 3 or 4 days and just now feeling myself again.


I was cleaning around the house and figured I NEEDED to try the HDRX 20 with my 4x12 which has been furniture for the past few months... WOW! I gotta give props to @solarburn for inspiring me with his clips of his Iconic and 4x12... Even with the cheap stock speakers in my cheap ass Acoustic (brand) 4x12, GC blew them out for $100 brand new about 11 years ago, beyond worth the money as I've gigged thrown the hell out of this poor cab... Anyways, the stock speakers suprisingly have a very Celestion/Greenback character and the HDRX 20 just roared thru it.

Then I decided to throw a hodgepodge of my speakers in it and see what it sounds like. My Scumback H55-PVC, Eminence Wizard and a very broken in G12M70 along with one remaining stock speaker.... Wow! Blown away, sounds amazing, more amazing than it already sounded with the 1x12... 4x12 is just necessary for THAT sound. The Scumback is the dominant speaker which surprised me as Eminence tout the Wizard has a sensitivity of 103db or something around that. The Scumback is front and center and then the Wizard compliments it beautifully (The Wizard actually sounds VERY similar to the Scumback but brighter/sharper which is probably due to it's cone hz, the Scumback is fuller and more present but both sound VERY close to a vintage G12H. The G12M70 on it's own in the 1x12 was kinda underwhelming, not awful or not even bad, decent but has some traits that may not be favorable BUT it makes a great filler speaker and actually seems to fill some space somewhere with the two H speakers. The Acoustic branded speaker is the least efficient but again, compliments and fills out the sound of the 2 dominating H speakers.

Overall this hodgepodge of speakers sound suprisingly excellent, I'm pretty blown away so I know I need to upgrade the 2 filler speakers! I've already ordered a 2nd H55-PVC from Jim and will pick up another Wizard. So far I like the Wizard on the bottom and the Scumback on top, I'll arrange the 4x12 with Scumbacks top and Wizards on the bottom... Can't wait as the HDRX 20 is just tone NIRVANA with this set up already and can't wait to hear it with proper loaded 4x12.

The HDRX 20 is a STEAL at it's current price and I HIGHLY recommend anyone interested to hop on it before the prices possibly increase. The HDRX 20 immediately took me back to my experience with an early 70s Superlead I was fortunate to jam on for a night. PRS and his team really accomplished an amazing feat, this truly sounds and feels like a mini plexi, much more than the SV20 imo. The master volume is is incredible too, I jam on the HDRX 20 all hours of the day and night, it's hands down the best sounding MV as the tone stays bright, snappy, punchy and clear even below tv volume. I want to say again the Mid switch and bright cap switch are great features. You can bounce between Jimi's modified tone to a more traditional Superlead voicing with a flip of a switch. I find with the Mid switch down I can capture more of Jimi's earlier tones and up you get that clear, cutting unique tone Jimi had live from '69 until his passing.


I'm happy yours turned out to just be the pedal! Unfortunately my hum has come back and I really need to get it exchanged asap BUT admit I've been so busy playing it I've procrastinated 😄 I know if I don't exchange it I'll always have that paranoia it will get worse or become permanent.

I'll contact the shop today and see what the plan will be.

Enjoy man! It's an amazing amp!

That's an interesting sounding cab for sure. I used mine on my Marshall 4x12 with greenbacks at a rehearsal which was awfully nice but I think I like it on my 2x12 open back better, Mojotone Lite British with their Greenback style speakers. I got to gig with it last night and it was fantastic.

 

[Dean Swindell]

I love it! it's easy to dial in. very smooth saturation when cranking it some to full out balls to wall dimed. (which I can't do that much because of neighbors) I need to sound proof a room in my house. Super pleased with this amp and for me, it's the best 20 watt amp out there.

That's good. The amp did perfectly at the gig last night, 2x12 open back sounded so damn good, kept up with drums with the master at 11:00. That was the final test..... A+ on all areas: keeping up (it is 20 watts), tone, NO hums, buzzes or crackles at all, plays nicely with Lounsberry Toy Robot, Boss MD-500, Digitech Obscura and Biyang Tri-Verb (on all the time) straight in, no problem. I have to score it 100%, even if I do wish it had a loop, stand-by switch and it's own verb. It just did everything I asked of it so well I can't complain about those things.

 

[Dean Swindell]

I love it! it's easy to dial in. very smooth saturation when cranking it some to full out balls to wall dimed. (which I can't do that much because of neighbors) I need to sound proof a room in my house. Super pleased with this amp and for me, it's the best 20 watt amp out there.

After the gig, I'm wondering if it might actually test out at 30.

 

[tallcoolone]

That's good. The amp did perfectly at the gig last night, 2x12 open back sounded so damn good, kept up with drums with the master at 11:00. That was the final test..... A+ on all areas: keeping up (it is 20 watts), tone, NO hums, buzzes or crackles at all, plays nicely with Lounsberry Toy Robot, Boss MD-500, Digitech Obscura and Biyang Tri-Verb (on all the time) straight in, no problem. I have to score it 100%, even if I do wish it had a loop, stand-by switch and it's own verb. It just did everything I asked of it so well I can't complain about those things.

Clips, dammit!!

 

[Maggot Brain]

I wanted to give an update on my humming issue!

So I've gone a few days without the issue but it came back a lot today. I was able to to determine that playing at loud volumes would initiate it, I've played at low volumes the past few days and today was able to crank it with the 4x12 and back it came. I realized it was the vibration and tried tapping on top of the amp... no difference, I tap on the side and it went away... so side to side movement, in my mind I think something is loose or making poor contact maybe a cold solder joint. I pulled the boxes from storage and was about ready to pack it up for a return but... I've become extremely attached to this inanimate object and... and I'm OCD and I'm a mechanic so I NEED to know why this is happening. I was feeling confident and decided before packing it up I'd take a quick peek inside....

I pull out the chassis and fire her up... lucked out and it is currently humming. I got myself a wooden stick and start with a tap test. I go over the circuit board tapping on caps, resistors, switches, grounds, everything... Nothing. So I see some resistors on the bottom of the powertube sockets. I tap on the first one and nothing... Tap on the second one and BOOM hum immediately stop. Ok I'm onto something! So I tap again and I hear a *POP* from my speaker, odd... I tap again and *POP*... Everytime I touch the resistor it pops. I try to replicate this on the other tube's resistor... Nothing, dead silent. I pull out my glasses and a magnifying glass... Sure as shit, leg is free, the solder joint broke. The leg is barely touching and moves easy, I'm feeling confident. So I re solder it and BINGO the popping is gone, humming is gone.

Here's the fucker! I'm guessing maybe the solder joint broke in transit? Tapping it on the sides would initiate or eliminate the hum so maybe it took a hard bump? Just a mistake that made it out or the factory? Who knows BUT my baby is ROCKING loud and proud.

Side note!

I had issues with my Strat's pickgaurd accumulating static after about 15 mins of playing. I got sick of wiping it with dryer sheets, it was pretty bad... Anyways, I completely remove my pickgaurd, sand the bottom and apply shielding. Cool, that issue was easy but now I swear I'm noticing my guitar is sounding duller than usual... I figured I lost my "magic" spot for pickup height and spend 2 days obsesvily trying to dial it back in... Maybe it's my ears? Maybe I'm just crazy and hearing things. WELL after repairing that solder joint on the amp I realize it was the amp that got dull!

Now I've eliminated the hum issue and the amp is sound like it did days ago... Kinda bummer spending $800 on an amp and immediately having an issue AND tearing into it BUT whatever, I knew I could figure it out and I did (knock on wood!!! If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all) and really proud of myself and back to being addicted to my axe and rig... Fingers are SORE.

Just thought I'd share! Shit happens with mass production so I'm not worried about the quality. The inside looked beautiful while I was in there! It has real pots too! That impressed me (not those cheap ass plastic ones in current Marshalls)

Have you tried it with a full stack yet?

I have been desperately keeping myself from Impulse buying a 1960B cab... After hearing this baby with the 4x12 I'm dying to hear it pushing a stack!... Must not give into the GAS!

Clips, dammit!!

I'll get one tomorrow! I was kinda waiting to receive my 2 other speakers to properly fill out my 4x12 but it sounds bitching even with my hodgepodge of speakers... I'll get clips of both.

 

[tallcoolone]

I'll get one tomorrow! I was kinda waiting to receive my 2 other speakers to properly fill out my 4x12 but it sounds bitching even with my hodgepodge of speakers... I'll get clips of both.

Oh no fire, I'm just an impatient twat

Great to hear you are loving the amp. You've always gravitated to the warmer tones if I remember correctly--you had the Bassbreaker too right?

 

[Matthews Guitars]

Buy a 1960B cabinet. They're BETTER than 1960A cabinets. I didn't believe it until I got one to compare. Now I have two full stacks and usually run just the B bottoms.

There's a reason why A cabinets are easier to find on the used market than Bs. It's because people who get both and later get rid of one, want to keep the B cabinet.

 

[Maggot Brain]

Buy a 1960B cabinet. They're BETTER than 1960A cabinets. I didn't believe it until I got one to compare. Now I have two full stacks and usually run just the B bottoms.

There's a reason why A cabinets are easier to find on the used market than Bs. It's because people who get both and later get rid of one, want to keep the B cabinet.

Yeah that's been my experience too! I've never owned a B but everytime I've played thru one it always just sounded bigger and ballsier. I RARELY see Bs come up locally so I know what you mean.

This place is is awful for GAS haha

 

[Maggot Brain]

Oh no fire, I'm just an impatient twat

Great to hear you are loving the amp. You've always gravitated to the warmer tones if I remember correctly--you had the Bassbreaker too right?

haha and I'm just a drag ass! I'll get some good recordings and show how damn impressive this does Hendrix. Every time I fire up the HDRX 20 I'm blown away, just floored. PRS REALLY nailed the plexi sound in a VERY usable 20w format, it's a SV20 killer hands down. I imagine the folks at Marshall have taken notice of this amp!

Yeah I had the Bassbreaker 45 for a bit and it was actually one of my favorites of all the amps I've owned the past few years. I wouldn't mind owning one again tbh!

 

[EJstrat&JVM]

I wanted to give an update on my humming issue!

So I've gone a few days without the issue but it came back a lot today. I was able to to determine that playing at loud volumes would initiate it, I've played at low volumes the past few days and today was able to crank it with the 4x12 and back it came. I realized it was the vibration and tried tapping on top of the amp... no difference, I tap on the side and it went away... so side to side movement, in my mind I think something is loose or making poor contact maybe a cold solder joint. I pulled the boxes from storage and was about ready to pack it up for a return but... I've become extremely attached to this inanimate object and... and I'm OCD and I'm a mechanic so I NEED to know why this is happening. I was feeling confident and decided before packing it up I'd take a quick peek inside....

I pull out the chassis and fire her up... lucked out and it is currently humming. I got myself a wooden stick and start with a tap test. I go over the circuit board tapping on caps, resistors, switches, grounds, everything... Nothing. So I see some resistors on the bottom of the powertube sockets. I tap on the first one and nothing... Tap on the second one and BOOM hum immediately stop. Ok I'm onto something! So I tap again and I hear a *POP* from my speaker, odd... I tap again and *POP*... Everytime I touch the resistor it pops. I try to replicate this on the other tube's resistor... Nothing, dead silent. I pull out my glasses and a magnifying glass... Sure as shit, leg is free, the solder joint broke. The leg is barely touching and moves easy, I'm feeling confident. So I re solder it and BINGO the popping is gone, humming is gone.

Here's the fucker! I'm guessing maybe the solder joint broke in transit? Tapping it on the sides would initiate or eliminate the hum so maybe it took a hard bump? Just a mistake that made it out or the factory? Who knows BUT my baby is ROCKING loud and proud.

Side note!

I had issues with my Strat's pickgaurd accumulating static after about 15 mins of playing. I got sick of wiping it with dryer sheets, it was pretty bad... Anyways, I completely remove my pickgaurd, sand the bottom and apply shielding. Cool, that issue was easy but now I swear I'm noticing my guitar is sounding duller than usual... I figured I lost my "magic" spot for pickup height and spend 2 days obsesvily trying to dial it back in... Maybe it's my ears? Maybe I'm just crazy and hearing things. WELL after repairing that solder joint on the amp I realize it was the amp that got dull!

Now I've eliminated the hum issue and the amp is sound like it did days ago... Kinda bummer spending $800 on an amp and immediately having an issue AND tearing into it BUT whatever, I knew I could figure it out and I did (knock on wood!!! If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all) and really proud of myself and back to being addicted to my axe and rig... Fingers are SORE.

Just thought I'd share! Shit happens with mass production so I'm not worried about the quality. The inside looked beautiful while I was in there! It has real pots too! That impressed me (not those cheap ass plastic ones in current Marshalls)


I have been desperately keeping myself from Impulse buying a 1960B cab... After hearing this baby with the 4x12 I'm dying to hear it pushing a stack!... Must not give into the GAS!


I'll get one tomorrow! I was kinda waiting to receive my 2 other speakers to properly fill out my 4x12 but it sounds bitching even with my hodgepodge of speakers... I'll get clips of both.

Great post, thank you, it might happen to us as well.

 

[Tiboy]

MB, have you considered the Marshall 425 cab with 4 G12C 25 Watt Celestion Greenbacks?
It was made for the Vintage Modern and supposedly based on Jimi’s rig. I have the 425 and an SV20. You’re making me think about picking up the HDRX and selling the SV20. I always wanted the original HXDA.

 

[Maggot Brain]

Great post, thank you, it might happen to us as well.

Thanks, I figured it would be good to share just incase someone else runs into it.

MB, have you considered the Marshall 425 cab with 4 G12C 25 Watt Celestion Greenbacks?
It was made for the Vintage Modern and supposedly based on Jimi’s rig. I have the 425 and an SV20. You’re making me think about picking up the HDRX and selling the SV20. I always wanted the original HXDA.

Yeah I've had my eyes peeled for some G12Cs or a Vintage Modern 4x12! I am skeptical as the G12Cs are a version of a G12M and I am completely convinced Jimi typically had G12H25s and then G12H30s later. My Scumback H55-PVC sounds absolutely perfect for Jimi which reinforced my opinion of what he used. Some believe he had G12M25s early in 1967 but I disagree as you can clearly see him using "100" badged 1982 A & B cabs. He is seen using "Bass" badged cabs at the 1968 Miami Pop performance which I believe were generally loaded with G12M25 55hz speakers.

If you're really into Jimi's tone I can't stress enough how perfect the Scumback H55-PVC and the HDRX 20 combo are. When I first picked up the HDRX 20 I had yet to sell my SV20 and compared them head to head... The HDRX 20 dominated and clearly sounds more authentic to a vintage Superlead to my ears. The SV20 is close but I think it falls on it's face for any type of chime or clean tones. It's super strident and can sound decent at louder volume but it just dosnt not have the magic cleans that I loved playing genuine vintage Superleads.

I think the SV20 does great for "cranked" Plexi tone and everything outside of that is kinda meh... Close but could he WAY closer. I have a feeling PRS's decision to model the transform correctly made a big difference. Oh! and the MV on the HDRX 20 is just incredible, amp sounds amazing down to a straight up whisper. I play it all hours of night (I'm a night owl) and it just blows me away jamming on a 4x12 with great tone at 3am.

Also the amp idles almost completely silently... PRS just hit a grand slam with this amp.

Ok I got carried away 😄

 

[Maggot Brain]

Here's a quick low volume phone clip!

 

[tallcoolone]

Sounds great MB--the best tones I've heard from it by far!

 

[solarburn]

Here's a quick low volume phone clip!

 

[Whatwhatringrang]

Sounds good Maggot Brain ! Rock on

 

[revrand]

Just Picked up the head and matching 1/12 cab yesterday. Got an amazing deal as well. I am blown away at how good this amp sounds. It is def much better than the studio vintage I had and sold. I been reading all the post about speakers and so far the V type speaker that comes in the 1/12 cab is not bad at all. I was curious if anyone has tried any other speakers in 1/12 cabs with this head. The Scumback H55-PVC 65 does have my attention although
I heard they are dark sounding I am not sure if thats the case.
I was just wondering If anyone else has tried the Scumback or maybe a Creamback M-65 in a 1/12 cab?
I can def testify that the rave reviews this amp is getting are the truth. I am blown away by how good
it sounds. Especially for the price! I paid less for the head and matching cab then what they are selling the studio vintage 1/12 cab for!