My Tech 21 pedals sound best with ...

[Guitar100]

...my Traynor YCV40 amp (into the effects return). I cranked it up the other day and used my Tech 21 Blonde, British, and Liverpool, and damn, all three sounded GREAT!

The funny thing is that I actually own two Tech 21 Power Engines, and would love for them to be the ideal platform. For one, they're a lot lighter! They work pretty well, but to MY EARS, they just can't compete with my Traynor amp (with a Vintage 30 speaker). The Traynor just sounds fuller, richer, and more dynamic. (And one of my Power Engines has a Vintage 30 as well.)

I've tried a number of other options over the years to amplify the Tech 21 pedals plus other various devices from Line 6, Digitech etc... I guess it must be something about the interaction of the power tubes, the cabinet, the speaker, and the devices. I must confess that it often seems weird to me to run any kind of modeler into the effects return, rather than use my Traynor amp on its own (which is what I usually do). But I guess I might as well keep this as a good option/alternative, when I'm in the mood.

I guess this is just a good reminder of what some folks around here already know: Sometimes the effects return of a nice tube amp can be a great way to amplify a modeling device.

[tech21nyc]

Glad to hear the Character Pedals are working for you. We have tried various speakers including the V30 in the Power Engine and found that because of the SansAmp speaker emulation a more neutral speaker just worked better.

I run my Character pedals into the efx return of my tube amps as well as my PE. I also run a line out of my tube amps into a delay and use the Power Engine for a wet/dry configuration. While I don't doubt you like the benefit of your tube amp combo with the Character pedals don't forget that by utilizing the 3 band of EQ of the Power Engine you can actually tailor the sound of the PE to a much great degree. I've been able to make it sound much like a 112 V30 loaded Thiele cab that I use.