A lunchbox-sized Archon 10W?

[kawaivpc1]

What do you guys think?

I like Archon 50 and 100 head but they're way too big to carry around.

Honestly, at home, you will never need anything beyond 20W unless you want to become a deaf.

I think a lunchbox-sized Archon 10W mini head would be amazing.

They should release a mini 10W head for people who don't want to carry around heavy stuffs.

Also, 1x10 inch or 1x9 Inch Archon 10W combo amp would be great.

 

[jc986]

While I'm not opposed to there being more choices as that is always good, I disagree that there is no advantage to having more than 20 watts for home playing. Especially for heavier playing styles, just having the additional headroom results in a much better tone, even at the same volume. My 100w Archon is the best "bedroom" amp I've ever played. I've never been satisfied with the tone of a lunchbox amp for the styles of music I play.

 

[Alan Manning]

But would that not be a more affordable option with a great tone for the house player?!!!.

 

[László]

While I'm not opposed to there being more choices as that is always good, I disagree that there is no advantage to having more than 20 watts for home playing. Especially for heavier playing styles, just having the additional headroom results in a much better tone, even at the same volume. My 100w Archon is the best "bedroom" amp I've ever played. I've never been satisfied with the tone of a lunchbox amp for the styles of music I play.

I don't play in a heavy style at all, and I feel the same way. Additional headroom, larger transformers, etc., sound better to me.

I've got nothing against bedroom players/playing, and I love to see everyone have choices - but I would hate to see PRS just following the market with compromised designs, instead of concentrating on what they do best, and to me that's making great amps for professional stage and recording use.

If you watch the videos of pro session players, none that I know of are using lunchbox amps for major league sessions. I don't use them on my ad sessions, either - never have, never would.

So, sure...come out with a low watt amp to satisfy that market, but please, PRS and Doug Sewell, don't lose sight of the players who love what you're already doing!

 

[László]

But would that not be a more affordable option with a great tone for the house player?!!!.

My feeling is that PRS has made its reputation as a guitar maker (and as an amp company) by serving the needs of the pro player, not the house player. The fact that house players use PRS is because everyone wants that Pro sound.

The more the designs are compromised to serve the needs of the home player, the closer you get to that $200 "Strat Pak" that Paul has stated in interviews that he will never make.

Yes, home players dominate the market for guitars and amps. Kids in middle and high school also drive instrument sales.

But you have to pick your audience and stick with it. Compromises from PRS' original mission really worry me.

Of course, at my age it almost doesn't matter, and I have pretty much more than I will ever need, but I still worry over this stuff for some reason.

 

[Alan Manning]

Never thought of it like that.( Point Taken) I bow to your rhetoric Les!!.

 

[kawaivpc1]

I didn't try to say a 10W mini head will be something professional.
For professional live shows with audience over +100, I would use Archon 100 head.

I bought an Archon 50 few months ago and I found myself using only 25W option at my bedroom.
Honestly, it's way too big to even carry around.

If they make a 10W mini version of Archon, it will be ideal for practicing and recording at a soundproofed home studio.
I think many of you will like this option...

I'm against all of the compromised digitally emulated amps on the market now.
They should make this 10W mini version archon with real 6L6 tubes.

 

[kawaivpc1]

Hey guys,

This Mesa Boogie 5:25 10 inch 25w amp sounds excellent..
Honestly, it sounds better than Archon 25 in some ways.

If Mesa Boogie guys can make this tiny, great-sounding 10 inch amp, PRS guys can do the same.

What I'm talking about is this kind of portable, compact amp without sacrifice of sound quality.

 

[rugerpc]

The point is, it is nearly impossible to scale down larger amps and preserve the tone and characteristics you wanted and liked in the larger amp in the first place. Smaller transformers, less current in the circuits and tubes, smaller different tubes, free of them...

To get to full potential, tubes need space and energy (current) to breathe.

C'mon.

It's just not a realistic wish.

There are a couple of good threads here on amp "headroom". They are good, informative reads.

 

[kawaivpc1]

Also, you guys are forgetting the fact that brand new Mesa Boogie Mark V 25 head is a mini head.

This tiny 25W head sounds as good as their full sized Mark V head.

Why can't we expect similar Archon 25 head then?

 

[Deleted member 5962]

A 10 watt version wouldn't make much sense from a design standpoint anyway. 15-25 watts, whatever you made it with 2 EL84s, would make much more as it would be great for home, and would be gigable. And they already make a 25 watt Archon, just not a head version.

An "SE" version is more likely than a 10 watter, with at least 15 watts (a 2x push-pull power sections makes the most sense with the Archon pre stage). Of you keep your fingers crossed for a head version of the existing 25 watt model. That's what I'd be interested in.

 

[kawaivpc1]

The point is, it is nearly impossible to scale down larger amps and preserve the tone and characteristics you wanted and liked in the larger amp in the first place. Smaller transformers, less current in the circuits and tubes, smaller different tubes, free of them...

C'mon.

It's just not a realistic wish.

NO,

Listen to how Mesa Boogie Mark V 25 head sounds!

It doesn't sacrifice any sound quality at all and it's tiny enough to fit in your backpack.

Why can't we expect something like this from PRS?
The same Archon sound with portable size....
If Mesa Boogie can make it, PRS can make it too.

 

[László]

Hey guys,

This Mesa Boogie 5:25 10 inch 25w amp sounds excellent..
Honestly, it sounds better than Archon 25 in some ways.

If Mesa Boogie guys can make this tiny, great-sounding 10 inch amp, PRS guys can do the same.

What I'm talking about is this kind of portable, compact amp without sacrifice of sound quality.

25W is not a tiny amp. The AC30 was a 30 watt amp with a similar output tube complement.

But I don't think the little lunchbox Mesas sound very good. YMMV.

 

[rugerpc]

You can't tell squat from a YouTube video...

It's starting to look like your real goal is to post a pic or video of every small amp you like.

Fine.

Buy one.

 

[László]

This tiny 25W head sounds as good as their full sized Mark V head.

Why can't we expect similar Archon 25 head then?

Having had the Mesa 90 Watt Mark V, I'm calling BULL. Their little 25 watt amp is good for its output level, but it ain't the full blown Mark V sound.

It doesn't sound as good. Sorry.

 

[kawaivpc1]

Check this Dream Theater cover with this tiny 25 head...

It sounds good for practicing dude!

If this doesn't sound good enough for practicing and recording... what else would you need in this size?

It's not impossible to make a small, compact, great sounding amp head.

 

[László]

Check this tiny guy.....
I hope you change your mind.

I've played through them myself. I know what the deal is.

 

[rugerpc]

Try this on for size. It's probably the lowest wattage amp PRS is likely to make in the foreseeable future.

 

[kawaivpc1]

I've played through them myself. I know what the deal is.

This Dream Theater solo with 25 head sounds good man....


Listen carefully, this solo guitar tone is more than good enough for recording and practicing.

I'm surprised to hear this kind of poor opinions on Mark V 25 head on this guitar forum.

Does that guy on youtube sound bad to you guys??

It's surprising to see some people who think it's impossible to make a tiny and great sounding amp head. This Mark V 25 head is incredible in my opinion... it fits in your backpack and it sounds like their core Mark V.

 

[CoreyT]

The Mark Five 25 above is awesome, I bought it when they first came out.
However I can barely turn it up even in 10 watt mode as it is a little beast of an amp.
On channel one in crunch mode with the gain at noon and the mid boost turned to past noon, it has plenty of hard rock gain.

It would be nice to see a 25 watt head of the Archon, I might get one.
And OP, there are a few threads speculating the smaller SE version Tremonti/Archon amp in this section.