Class 5 vs 1974x

[jonnymags]

I love my Class 5. But I'm wondering how much it compares to the 1974x. Namely:

Volume at onset of distortion?
Amount of clean headroom?
Is the tonal difference huge or marginal?

Is it that much louder? I've gigged a few times now with the 5 and it's loud enough to compete with drummer (but clean struggles). I've heard the 1974x distorts at house friendly levels.

or should i wait for the next Class 5 product from the stable (prays for 18 watter)

[ufguy73]

just returned a 1974x and have a Class 5. The 1974x is significantly louder (or at least 'sounds' louder - maybe the larger speaker/cab has something to do with it also).

Depending on how loud you can run in our house, it could break up....but its going to be loud.

[Beck-Ola]

You would think the 1974 would be louder and a little cleaner. After all it uses two EL84 power tubes compared to one EL84 in the Class 5.

Also the preamp of the 1974 isn't set up as much for high gain as the Class 5, I'd say. You have basically two tube stages in the preamp vs three in the Class 5, not including the cathode follower for the tone stack. It appears the Class 5 is much more deliberate in its crunchiness at slightly lower volume level.

When the head version comes out I will be first in line for one. Please, SteveD...