Trace Elliot Hexa / Quatra Valve - Difference ?

[ErnieBallFr]

Hi,

I was wondering what is the difference between these old Trace Elliot bass head Hexa Valve and Quatra Valve.

Here is what i found at this time, but should be verified :

Quatra Valve :
- 2 x 12ax7 preamp tubes
- 4 x 6550 amp tube
- 220 watts RMS

Hexa Valve :
- 2 x 12ax7 preamp tubes
- 6 x 6550 amp tube
- 380 watts RMS

If anyone could help me to confirm these specs, it would be great. What about sound ?

I'm also looking for one of these head to complete my Trace Elliot gear. Do not hesitate to PM me if you sell yours.

Thanks !

[RickenBoogie]

I could be wrong, but I believe it's just a matter of one head having more power, but both are tonal siblings.

[bigbottomend]

I had a quatra once, it got so hot you could fry eggs on the top. It was OK nice sound but traded it in against an original SVT.

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by ErnieBallFr

Hi,

I was wondering what is the difference between these old Trace Elliot bass head Hexa Valve and Quatra Valve.

Here is what i found at this time, but should be verified :

Quatra Valve :
- 2 x 12ax7 preamp tubes
- 4 x 6550 amp tube
- 220 watts RMS

Hexa Valve :
- 2 x 12ax7 preamp tubes
- 8 x 6550 amp tube
- 380 watts RMS

If anyone could help me to confirm these specs, it would be great. What about sound ?

I'm also looking for one of these head to complete my Trace Elliot gear. Do not hesitate to PM me if you sell yours.

Thanks !

Same preamp, more power, which is almost ALWAYS better. They're BOTH great, the Hexavalve is greater, and a FABULOUS rock and roll bass head. Killer.

Cheers,
Cameron

[koobie]

Originally Posted by ErnieBallFr

Here is what i found at this time, but should be verified :

Quatra Valve :
- 2 x 12ax7 preamp tubes
- 4 x 6550 amp tube
- 220 watts RMS

Hexa Valve :
- 2 x 12ax7 preamp tubes
- 8 x 6550 amp tube
- 380 watts RMS

I can confirm Quatra Valve amps have four output tubes. Quad = four. With the name in mind, I'd expect the Hexa Valve to utilize six output tubes, not eight. And unlike another poster here, mine does not run particularly hot. The top metal chassis gets warm to the touch but you'd expect that with any tube amp. IMO, the Quatra Valve strikes a perfect balance between fat punchy tone with good headroom and relatively light weight, weighing about 35-38 pounds. I bet a Hexa Valve would sound huge, but they probably weigh quite a bit more, too. The tone of the solid-state front end of the QV is decent but not spectacular. I've gotten better tones by running a quality tube preamp (H & K Fortress, Sarno Revelation, Alembic F2B) upstream. I'm going to hunt for a quieter fan, the stock fan is effective but way too loud for playing at home/recording.

[Kitsapbass]

For me, my favorite of those two would be the Quatra...considering that was the only one I was able to try. But, considering your poll question is "Which 90s TE head was my favorite", I'd have to say the V-type. I don't remember seeing any new ones of the Hexa/Quatra those past 1990...and I worked for a TE dealer at the time.

[twinfallsbass]

I have had both, got rid of the Quatra and kept the Hexa. The HexaValve is a LOT more rare than the QuatraValve