Buying an amp!!

[scooby]

Hows it going all!

Im in the process of buying a new amp head, I've been using solidstate amps for a while now mainly due to cost but I could never get that full bodied tone I've been after.

I looking into an all valve head and I've narrowed it down to 3 choices:
Mesa Dual Rec.
Engl Powerball
Peavey Triple

Im after advice to see which is the better choice, I play a wide range of styles but all centered around heavy rock/metal; Pantera, vai, satch, metallica..... the usual!

I know alot of people may suggest the mesa but I've heard that the Engl can deliver just as well at over a grand less.

Any advice would be sweet!

[crowguitar]

Where r u shopping that the Engl is less than the mesa?? The Powerball head normally sells for around $2K. Whereas the Mesa Dual head is $1800 (and thats for the new 3 channel head). Im located in the NYC/NJ tri-state area and have tried all the heads u mentioned.

The Peavey doesnt even hold a leg to these amps. I would suggest the Mesa, cuz as far as Ive heard, from my own ears and other players, the Powerball's a bit of a tonal let-down. Engl's not quite the company it once was.

Hope that helps a bit. Cheers!!
Update us on what u end up choosing.

[scooby]

Cheers for the reply crowguitar! Im in Dublin Ireland and the best price on the mesa dual rec 3 channel 100w is 2,550 euro and the powerball 4channel 100w is 1,440. Thats the main reason Im swaying more towards the engl than the mesa.

I have one more question also Im going to check out a second hand powerball and was wondering if anyone has any tips on what to look out for. Like I said before I've always used solidstate heads/amps and haven't much experience playing through valve amps. Its there any tell tale signs of porblems I should look/listen out for?

Cheers!!!