KSR Ares 50 vs. Orthos 100

[maddnotez]

Have been out of the loop for a while but just saw some footage of this little badass of an amp.

I thought the Orthos sounded amazing when i heard the old NAMM clips as well as the older Rhodes amps and now I hear this one. Is it true that this small box is meaner than all of the others?

To me is sounds that way from whatever Youtube clips I could scour. The Gemini and Colossus sounded just fat and huge but the Orthos and Ares seem a bit crunchier and more pissed off if you will.

I have never played a KSR/Rhodes amp before so I wanted to see if anyone here has tried them all and would agree with what I am saying?

Is the Ares the most pissed of amp of the line?

 

[Rev]

I've tried them all and yes, the Ares is the most pissed off amp of the bunch. The Orthos and Ares share some similarities with transformers. The Ares also has a re-tooled crunch channel that gives it an angrier voicing. The amp has such raunchy voicing that the flagship amp does not have. However, the Colossus has a roar that the Ares does not have. Overall, I think the Ares will encompass both the Marshall lovers as well as the Mesa lovers. The crunch is for those British tones and the lead channel is the Mesa/5150 type tones. The Ares doesn't necessarily sound like those amps but each channel is in the vein of those mentioned.

 

[maddnotez]

Any other feedback on these amps? (no pun)

I am very much considering one of these. Have gotten a quote from Kyle and getting close to calling with a down payment.

I know I can only afford the Ares or the Orthos. The Ares is cheaper and seems like it may be better. I could be completely fine with 1 channel as I roll the volume anyway but I must be honest 50w scares me as I like some headroom.

Anyone else A/B the Ares vs the Orthos?

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

I have the Orthos 100w on order. Kyle told me its a bigger sounding ARES. More balls, similar functions with the clean channel of the Colossus.
I hope to have it sometime in June-July

 

[maddnotez]

I have the Orthos 100w on order. Kyle told me its a bigger sounding ARES. More balls, similar functions with the clean channel of the Colossus.
I hope to have it sometime in June-July

Thanks for the feedback. He did also say to hit him up on the website so I will when I get the chance.

What you said makes sense, one of the things I really question:

Ares: The Lead channel sound is technically fixed to Colossus Mode On and they include Fat, Voice, and Bright switches for each Master

Orthos: The Lead channel sound is technically fixed to Colossus Mode On and Fat On and they include both Bright and Voice switches for each Master


So essentially while the Orthos sounds bigger, you are locked into the Fat mode on at all times while the Ares has the option to be on or off. Also I can't compare 50w to 100w as I have never had a 50w tube amp.

The Ares supposedly sounds more pissed off and the Orthos sounds bigger.

That is strikingly similar to the comparison I make with my previous Pitbull 100C vs. my previous 1994 (first run) Ultra Lead. The Pitbull sounded so mean but the UL sounded so much bigger.

I actually preferred the Pitbull and if the FAT feature is similar on the Ares, I prefer the FAT OFF on the Pitbull. Naturally I think the Ares makes more sense to me but it is almost like apples and oranges. Thanks for all the help, just very indesicive and will tt Kyle when I can.

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

I know from what I heard from Kyle is that this new Orthos is revamped. It's not the last incarnation. If it's not mean enough for me I'll be shocked...he said it's an aggressive beast.

 

[garey77]

Want!!!! I love my Gemini. I am going to order an Orthos one of these years.

 

[maddnotez]

Here is a bit of what he said about the new Orthos:

"In a nutshell, it's basically an Ares with an added Clean channel and a few new features.

The Clean is just like it was before with the first Orthos. The Lead is also very similar to how it was before, except it now has the ability to change Fat/Thick/Voice settings, just as in the Ares. However, these changes are achieved with a new control that we're currently referring to as "Feel". This is a 6 position knob that changes your sound from loose --> tight, and also adjusts the voicing along the way. As I mentioned, it's basically Fat/Thick/Voice, all wrapped up into one control. Further, there are a pair of Feel knobs, one for each Master, so that you can dial in different types of Lead tones for high-gain rhythm and solo.

The Orthos also now includes a Crunch switch on Master 1, just like the Ares."

 

[TOBACCOSUN]

KSR-Ares 50 watt 6l6. Awesome compact and versatile amp.
Here's a quick video of the amp in action with high gain and heavy riffing. Sorry about the mic cut out.

https://youtu.be/41hTp7S9_L8

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Cool clippage

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

he's the new Mk2 Orthos - short clip

 

[Pushead]

I don't have either an Ares or Orthos, so I don't have a lot of things to add to the thread other than how excellent my dealings with Kyle were.

I bought an Artemis about a year and a half ago, and have nothing but good things to say about how it worked out. His communication was excellent, he responded to questions quickly and always kept me in the loop with where things were and how it was coming along.

My amp is fantastic. If you dig tweaking amps, I think you'll like what the KSR amps have to offer.

 

[maddnotez]

he's the new Mk2 Orthos - short clip

That sounds MEAN

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

Thanks, it is mean - louder it gets, the meaner it sounds. This clip was at fairly low levels - think the kids were in bed.

and +1 for Kyle - he's a great dude.

 

[TOBACCOSUN]

Kyle is definitely the best when it comes to communicating with his customers. I had some initial questions and concerns with my amp and he was very quick to respond and very detailed in the follow up information he provided me. I have immensely enjoyed becoming part of the KSR family and my experience with them and it's only day 3!

 

[HRC51]

I have an Orthos, and while I cannot compare it to an Ares, the Ares is originally what I asked Kyle if he could build that for me. Meaning: a single channel modern high gain amp. It looks like I was a year early.

Now, I appreciate having the clean channel as well.

Quality is very high
Kyle is great
Tone is exactly what I wanted
Loop is quiet
Recordings sound great
I sold my other amp

 

[FourT6and2]

I'm kinda interested in these now. I like a lot of the clips I'm hearing. From past experience I know I like 50 watt, single-channel amps. They tend to sound more pissed off, yet have sweeter top-ends than 100 watters. But they do lack some of the authority of the higher wattage models. Maybe the Ares is a good one to consider... hmmmmm. I have way too many amps though haha.

 

[maddnotez]

I'm kinda interested in these now. I like a lot of the clips I'm hearing. From past experience I know I like 50 watt, single-channel amps. They tend to sound more pissed off, yet have sweeter top-ends than 100 watters. But they do lack some of the authority of the higher wattage models. Maybe the Ares is a good one to consider... hmmmmm. I have way too many amps though haha.

I would love an Ares. I just do not have the funds. I have considered selling my PC rig to buy one but IDK if that is a wise choice or not. You should get one if you can.