REAR PANEL: Controls & Features (Continued)
You will find the FX LOOP a welcome feature for all rack type processing and when good quality cables
are used and kept to a length of 3 feet or less, you will notice very little if any degradation in the sound of your Stiletto.
NOTE: Because the FX LOOP is wired in series with the main signal, it is very important that you choose processing devices that
are of professional grade quality from reputable manufacturers. In a series configuration, your amplifiers sound will depend on the
integrity of the processors’ input and output stages, because you have inserted something into the heart of the most sensitive place
in your amplifier.
USING THE FX RETURN AS A POWER AMP INPUT:
You may, at times, wish to use the Stiletto as a stand alone power
amp for amplification of processing or as half of a larger stereo rig. Because of the channel and mode specific changes that take place
internally you will want to follow the suggestions below for the best results.
1) The FX LOOP SELECT switch must be set to LOOP IN (Loop engaged).
2) The FX LOOP RETURN jack is the INPUT to the power section. This jack bypasses the entire preamp including the GAIN and all
the Tone Controls.
3) Use Channel 2 (any of the 3 modes) when using the FX LOOP RETURN as a power amp input. Due to changes that occur in the
negative feedback circuit between the channels, you will find Channel 2 to have more traditional power sensitivity. The increase in
negative feedback (essential for the sounds in Channel 2) and associated lower power sensitivity is much easier to work with and will
also operate at a lower noise floor. Using Channel 1 (FAT CLEAN or TITE CLEAN) - with their reduction of negative feedback - will
result in a substantial increase in sensitivity and volume, making the OUTPUT Control way too sensitive for most slave power ap-
plications. Additionally, the PRESENCE Controls will not have any effect on the signal because they switch to the end of the preamp
in these two modes. Because there is no negative feedback in these two clean modes, the PRESENCE switches automatically to a
different type (more of a preamp brightness control) than in all the other modes. Selecting Channel 2 removes the need to think about
this scenario and gives you a working traditional power section PRESENCE Control.
4) The OUTPUT is your level control.
5) You may use the SOLO Control for a footswitchable volume boost (Footswitch must be connected).
6) You may use the Front Panel POWER SELECT switches to select a power rating that is appropriate for the venue or application.
7) The choice of rectifiers is still available when using the Stiletto FX RETURN as a power input. Remember that this choice is chan-
nel specific. The SILICON DIODE selection is more in line with what you would find in most all other stand alone power amplifiers,
but for guitar applications it is nice to have the choice of the saggy response of tube rectification.
RECTIFIER SELECT: Diodes / Tube RectifierTracking
These channel specific switches determine the type of rectification
the power section of your Stiletto will operate on. The choices are the solid state SILICON DIODES which convert the A.C. to D.C. with
a constant stiffer, tighter character or, TUBE RECTIFIER TRACKING which monitors the Front Panel POWER
SELECT and auto-selects the proper number of 5U4 rectifier tubes for a saggy, compressed power feel. This
patented switchable choice of rectification is at the heart of being able to nail the sounds we all hear as clas-
sics and imparts a feel on the strings like no other element in a guitar amplifier. Tube rectification is especially
important when trying to dial-in vintage type sounds where - in the era before MESA introduced the
PAGE 14
SILICON
DIODE
CH 2 CH 1
TUBE
RECTIFIER
TRACKING
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