HEALTH AND SAFETY

WARNING: This warning is part of our effort to comply with the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (known as Proposition 65). The warning does not mean that our products will necessarily cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. While we believe our products are not harmful when used as designed, we provide these warnings to comply with Proposition 65.

For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Is it possible to use an amp modeler, like a Quad Cortex or Helix, with a real guitar amp like the Devil's Claw 300W?

Yes, it is absolutely possible to use the Devil's Claw 300W as a power amp for your Quad Cortex or other modeler.

The Quad Cortex is a highly capable floorboard amp modeler, and the Devil's Claw is perfectly equipped to amplify it. The Devil's Claw features a dedicated "Power Amp In" jack (part of its series effects loop) located on the rear panel.

To set this up, you simply run a cable from the output of your Quad Cortex directly into the Power Amp In jack on the Devil's Claw 300W. This configuration offers several key benefits:

• Bypasses the Preamp: Plugging into the Power Amp In completely bypasses the Devil's Claw's internal preamp. This prevents you from "stacking" the Quad Cortex's digital preamp models on top of the Devil's Claw's analog preamp, which can often result in a muddy sound.

• Pure Signal Integrity: This setup allows you to use your Quad Cortex as the "brain" for all your tones and effects, while using the Devil's Claw strictly as the 300W "muscles" to move real air.

• Analog Feel: Even though your tones are generated digitally by the Quad Cortex, the Devil's Claw provides an analog "push" to your speaker cabinet that standard FRFR (Full Range, Flat Response) monitors often struggle to replicate.

By using the Devil's Claw's Power Amp In, you get the pure, uncolored voice of your Quad Cortex presets delivered at massive, stage-ready volumes.

What’s the big deal with tube amps vs solid state amps?

Due to the nonlinear gain characteristics of vacuum tubes, Tube Amps are often described as having a "warm," "rich," and "organic" sound. They tend to produce even-order harmonic distortion, which is generally perceived as musically pleasing.  Solid-State Amps on the other hand, generally have a "cleaner" and more "accurate" sound. They produce odd-order harmonic distortion, which can be perceived as harsher but also more precise. 

Do tubes have to be replaced regularly?

No, but tubes can go bad from time to time.  Mechanical shock is probably the most common cause of tube failure.  A tube would need to be replaced in those cases.  Some folks replace their tubes even if they have not failed.  Some folks try to keep their amp’s original tubes forever because of their unique sound.

Do tubes get hot?

Yes.  Don’t touch them when they are hot and keep plenty of ventilation around a running amp.

What is the difference between a pre-amp and a power-amp?

A pre-amp takes a low-voltage signal from a guitar and increases the voltage while adding tone, overdrive, distortion, etc.  A power-amp takes the signal from the pre-amp and substantially increases the voltage and/or current in order to amplify the signal and make it louder.

Why are tube amps so heavy?

The transformers needed to increase the voltage required to operate the tubes are heavy.  The weight of the headcase can be significant, too.

Where are tre_audio amplifiers built?

The major components of the amps are made in the USA.  Some of the components come from overseas; the most notable of which are the vacuum tubes which are made in the Slovak Republic.  All of the components get received and tested at our shop in Virginia.  We do some additional component fabrication work at our shop, then assemble and test the amplifiers. 

Testing?  What kind of testing?

Well, we test the amplifiers at various times during fabrication and assembly.  It’s more efficient to test along the way than to wait until the end to test.  But once the amplifiers (or other gear) are built, we test them in our shop.  We do several safety tests to make sure things are grounded correctly and meet safely requirements.  We then play each amp to make sure it sounds perfect.  Then we burn it in for a day while hooked up to attenuators and other equipment.  Then we play through it again.  It has to sound perfect to get boxed up and shipped.  We also do beta-testing of products on stages across the country.  If you are in a performing band and have an interest in beta-testing tre_audio products, please email tre@treaudio.com.