PRs Archon 50 Video Playthrough and Review

[Bad.Seed]

Did a video on the PRS Archon 50. Although it's not my favorite, I think this is a great amp that basically looks to correct some of the issues of a Dual Rectifier and modernize it. It definitely chugs, and usually puts a smile on my face when I play through it.

Thinking about putting this amp against the 5150 Stealth 50 and Badlander 50 for comparison reviews. Any other ones that might be worthwhile?

Take a listen and let me know what you think!

 

[Mailman1971]

Ya man. I dig it. I actually had a diezel VH4. And my PRS archon. Running thru a full stack.
two Randall Lynch box cabs. Had buddies over. Fellow local guitar friends. Blind test. Dialed in the archon 100. Exact to channel 3 of the VH4.
the archon was little ‘fuller’. Sweeter??
I’ve owned tons of amps. Last one left ?
PRS archon. ?

 

[skullfxr]

I have the 25watt and am really impressed with it. I ditched the t75 and dropped a Scumback in and she sounds great. The speaker swap was a huge gamechanger in the amp. Obviously a different circuit and output section but I was really impressed with the amp. When the world goes back to gigging it will be one of my first grabs on the way to the bar.

Awesome demo though! I have also played the 100 and I digged it too.

 

[bubbastain]

Dude, as soon as you went to drop D the amp instantly sounded 50% better.

 

[cardinal]

Sounds great. Really interested in your comparison between the 50 and 100.

I've had the 100 for a few days and like it a lot. I also found that the presence needs to be around 4:00 for the amp to come forward. But it's a fun amp to play. Has a nice feel (not too stiff but tight enough) and who doesn't love massive chugga chugga.

But curious if the midrange between the 50 and 100 is a bit different.

 

[skullfxr]

Sounds great. Really interested in your comparison between the 50 and 100.

I've had the 100 for a few days and like it a lot. I also found that the presence needs to be around 4:00 for the amp to come forward. But it's a fun amp to play. Has a nice feel (not too stiff but tight enough) and who doesn't love massive chugga chugga.

But curious if the midrange between the 50 and 100 is a bit different.

What speakers are you using?

 

[cardinal]

What speakers are you using?

An old 1960a with G12-65s. I'd like to get an OS Recto 4x12 with V30s. I always liked that cab with Rectifier amps.

The 1960a is really for my Marshall and never got along with Rectos when I had them. I'm surprised that the Archon works well enough with it, but I think it would do better with V30s.

 

[skullfxr]

An old 1960a with G12-65s. I'd like to get an OS Recto 4x12 with V30s. I always liked that cab with Rectifier amps.

The 1960a is really for my Marshall and never got along with Rectos when I had them. I'm surprised that the Archon works well enough with it, but I think it would do better with V30s.

I plugged the 25 in my Mesa recto cab and loved it. I also liked it a lot in the k85 cabs.

As far as mine in the combo, the Scumback was flat out amazing, especially as it comes with a t75 which is far from my favorite speaker

 

[cardinal]

I plugged the 25 in my Mesa recto cab and loved it. I also liked it a lot in the k85 cabs.

As far as mine in the combo, the Scumback was flat out amazing, especially as it comes with a t75 which is far from my favorite speaker

Yeah, T75 can work with a lot of amps but not my first choice, particularly just one in an open-back cab.

 

[Faded Abyss]

Are they making these still? The 100 is never in stock anywhere it seems

 

[Bad.Seed]

Thanks fellas. It's a fun amp, no doubt. I'll be putting it up against some others in the near future here. The 50w amp market is really starting to get loaded with great options

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

Are they making these still? The 100 is never in stock anywhere it seems

I believe the Archon line is now discontinued.

 

[RockyStar]

The Archon is a great amp. I believe PRS discontinued it which saddens me. Hopefully, the new Tremonti amp takes its place and deliver what the Archon does and more.

 

[BrandonTMX]

??

 

[Bxlxaxkxe]

Would be interested in hearing the Archon, Dual Rec, and Uberschall all next to each other. 3 different varieties of the same idea?

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

Would be interested in hearing the Archon, Dual Rec, and Uberschall all next to each other. 3 different varieties of the same idea?

That's Mark Tremonti tone right there! As polarizing as Creed always was, he has done some amazing stuff with Alter Bridge and his solo band with absolutely crushing tone on every album. I love my Archon 100 and it's been said numerous times that it's intention was to somewhat blend the tone of a Recto and Uber into one amp. Not sure if that's true but it definitely works for me.

 

[cardinal]

I've never played an Uberschall, but the Archon seemed quite different than the Recto. The midrange of the Archon was very distinctive, sort of a cocked-wah thing IMHO. Not a bad sound at all, but different than the Recto voice.

 

[Bad.Seed]

Would be interested in hearing the Archon, Dual Rec, and Uberschall all next to each other. 3 different varieties of the same idea?

I'd love to be able to do this but I don't have a 3 way switcher! Lol I do plan on comparing them individually though in upcoming videos