Mesa 20/20

[mgbills]

Second new topic in 5 minutes....

I just gifted myself a Mesa 20/20. I have an MC2100, but it's a beast to haul...and it's ...shall we say...plenty powerful.

I dig the Mesa, except for the noisy fan. It's pretty quiet through the signal path, and it's pretty darn close to the MC by dialing the Presence knob.

Questions:

a) What is your favorite EL84? I know there are strong opinions decidedly agains EL84's, but I really dig the mid-70's Mesa era, and my razzum filled brain associates that with awesome tone.
So if you had to answer, what do you like? Genelex, JJ, Mullard? Won't buy the Chinese guys.

b) Does anybody have any idea on what to do about that noisy freakin' fan? I've searched the Boogie Board & general Google stuff, but since we've got some genuine rocket scientists about...thought I'd ask. One of you folks has a great solution.

Thanks to all.
M

[TI4-1009]

My Lonestar has a switch for the fan. Off for "quiet running".

[Jon S.]

You may want to also try a Rocktron Velocity 300 at some point. I'm quite pleased with the tone of my SMS Classic Preamp through my RV300, it's a performance-price winner.

[strumminsix]

Honestly, when racked I don't hear the fan.