Thinking of going from rectoverb 25 to Archon 25.

[elvis]

I think it is set that way for aesthetic appeal as opposed to realism.

Unplug the internal speaker and use the external cab. It will sound better, especially if it is a 2x12 recto cab.

 

[Spiralizer]

That's the plan, Elvis!

 

[Dusty Chalk]

I think it is set that way for aesthetic appeal as opposed to realism.

I concur. Photographers often due stupid stuff like that. Like photograph watches at 10:10, even though it's obviously the middle of the night or middle of the afternoon.

You could also swap the internal speaker to one that is 8 ohm nominal, set the switch for 4 ohm, and then use both.

 

[HANGAR18]

Any thoughts for a new guy? I just recently got the rectoverb 25 and it's great but I'm tired of fighting with Mesa's complicated layout to get the sound I want.

I'm heavily considering going with the Archon 25. I play mostly rock/metal with some classic stuff from time to time.

My question for Archon owners: is the amp tight in the way that the rectoverb is loose? I'm after a more articulate tightness on the gain side than the recto wants to give me.

Also, do the tubes make much difference? The ROV25 has EL84's and I'm not sure how they compare to the 5881's.

There are some very distinct similarities between the PRS Archon and the Mesa Rectifiers. There are also some very distinct similarities between the Mesa Rectifiers and the Carvin V3's. In my assessment, the biggest difference between the the Archon and the Rectifiers is the DEPTH knob that you find on the Archon. To be dramatic, I think of the depth knob as an often overlooked secret tone weapon.The Recto's don't have a depth knob and thus are limited in that way. The V3's have a depth knob like the Archon and have remarkably similar abilities. Between the Archon and the V3 or the V3 micro, is that I think the Archon is made better, simpler to operate and smaller.

There was a time when I thought about replacing my V3 with a Recto but I learned that Carvin made the V3 with the intent of competing with the Recto's and determined that the V3 I already had was better than the Recto's. I have since replaced my 100w V3 with a 100w Archon and I love it! But I still have a 50w V3m as a backup due to the fact that I already have it and the cost of getting another Archon. That being said, I'm still thinking about getting an Archon 25 combo because I like the Archon so much.

 

[HANGAR18]

There are some very distinct similarities between the PRS Archon and the Mesa Rectifiers. There are also some very distinct similarities between the Mesa Rectifiers and the Carvin V3's. In my assessment, the biggest difference between the the Archon and the Rectifiers is the DEPTH knob that you find on the Archon. To be dramatic, I think of the depth knob as an often overlooked secret tone weapon.The Recto's don't have a depth knob and thus are limited in that way. The V3's have a depth knob like the Archon and have remarkably similar abilities. Between the Archon and the V3 or the V3 micro, is that I think the Archon is made better, simpler to operate and smaller.

There was a time when I thought about replacing my V3 with a Recto but I learned that Carvin made the V3 with the intent of competing with the Recto's and determined that the V3 I already had was better than the Recto's. I have since replaced my 100w V3 with a 100w Archon and I love it! But I still have a 50w V3m as a backup due to the fact that I already have it and the cost of getting another Archon. That being said, I'm still thinking about getting an Archon 25 combo because I like the Archon so much.

ps I should probably also declare that I own a brand new Mesa 5:25 amp head. I'm keeping that too because it is a completely different animal than the Archon/Rectifier/V3 style amps. I like versatility in my equipment. I also have a VOX AC15 Custom which is nifty at times. For versatility's sake, I'd like to get an HXDA but that too is a different animal and I could never see that replacing my Archon.

 

[Spiralizer]

I concur. Photographers often due stupid stuff like that. Like photograph watches at 10:10, even though it's obviously the middle of the night or middle of the afternoon.

You could also swap the internal speaker to one that is 8 ohm nominal, set the switch for 4 ohm, and then use both.

That's a good point! I'm bad with ohms...I always feel like I'm going to blow something up.

 

[László]

That's a good point! I'm bad with ohms...I always feel like I'm going to blow something up.

We're supposed to blow things up.

Because we're so badazz.

 

[CoreyT]

I copied those settings from earlier, going to try them on my Mark Five 25 and see how it sounds.

Hoping they reveal a 25 watt Archon head, or maybe even that "mystery" amp this weekend at the Experience.

 

[11top]

Ok. Is a guy allowed to change his mind a bit? I'm in Baltimore, and Clayton brought his Archon 25 combo. I like the gain side better than my 100 head. However, it is likely in part the speaker difference. I have only played my head with V30 speakers and this combo has a G12-75T. Sounds good!

Anybody have a crow I can eat?

 

[bodia]

Ok. Is a guy allowed to change his mind a bit? I'm in Baltimore, and Clayton brought his Archon 25 combo. I like the gain side better than my 100 head. However, it is likely in part the speaker difference. I have only played my head with V30 speakers and this combo has a G12-75T. Sounds good!

Anybody have a crow I can eat?

I gotta bird fer ya!

 

[Spiralizer]

I bit down hard on the bullet and ordered a brand spankin' new Archon 50 combo with EL34's (got a KILLER deal)! Next Tuesday should be fun

 

[bodia]

I bit down hard on the bullet and ordered a brand spankin' new Archon 50 combo with EL34's (got a KILLER deal)! Next Tuesday should be fun

Yea baby!!!!!!

 

[Spiralizer]

I was dead set on the 25 watt until I found a brand new 50 for an even lower price. Couldn't pass it up.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Is a guy allowed to change his mind a bit?

Absolutely!

 

[alantig]

I bit down hard on the bullet and ordered a brand spankin' new Archon 50 combo with EL34's (got a KILLER deal)! Next Tuesday should be fun

Congrats!!!

 

[László]

Ok. Is a guy allowed to change his mind a bit?

“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day. — 'Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood.' — Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

 

[andross182]

I was dead set on the 25 watt until I found a brand new 50 for an even lower price. Couldn't pass it up.

Good kill. I would love to pick up an Archon combo for playing at church on Sunday (and wonder how many old people would rage lol) but my Mesa cab addiction has me holding off for an Archon 25 head to match my now defunct 1x12 mini recto cabinet.

I am very curious as to how the combos sound with the speaker difference, unfortunately no dealer around here really stocks PRS amps anymore...

 

[Spiralizer]

Got the Archon 50 (EL34) combo yesterday...it's exactly what I was hoping it would be! Very tight and articluate no matter the level of gain or volume. Cleans are tasty but I do miss my rectoverb's clean and built in reverb.

I tried it with the stock G12-75T and although the speaker isn't broken in, it didn't sound bad...maybe a little bit stiff. I hooked it to a 1x12 bassbreaker cab I have laying around which is loaded with a broken in V-Type and it's pure joy.

My only dissapointments were that the amp's cabinet feels cheap compared to the Rectoverb's enclosure. Not sure if it's MDF (is that right?) or what but for the price of the amp, I was expecting premium wood.

The other problem was not PRS's fault but zzounds. I bought this amp brand new and it was all factory sealed when I got it but the manufacture date is 4/2015. I'd like my brand new amp to at least be built in the year I purchased it. Not a huge deal but stuff like that bothers me.

All said, I'm much happier with this little fire breather than I was with the rectoverb which I could never seem to stop fighting with. I can't compare the 6L6 version but I can tell you the EL34's really give off an early Metallica feel when you crank the gain which is exactly what I was looking for.

She's a keeper.

4.5/5

 

[bodia]

Got the Archon 50 (EL34) combo yesterday...it's exactly what I was hoping it would be! Very tight and articluate no matter the level of gain or volume. Cleans are tasty but I do miss my rectoverb's clean and built in reverb.

I tried it with the stock G12-75T and although the speaker isn't broken in, it didn't sound bad...maybe a little bit stiff. I hooked it to a 1x12 bassbreaker cab I have laying around which is loaded with a broken in V-Type and it's pure joy.

My only dissapointments were that the amp's cabinet feels cheap compared to the Rectoverb's enclosure. Not sure if it's MDF (is that right?) or what but for the price of the amp, I was expecting premium wood.

The other problem was not PRS's fault but zzounds. I bought this amp brand new and it was all factory sealed when I got it but the manufacture date is 4/2015. I'd like my brand new amp to at least be built in the year I purchased it. Not a huge deal but stuff like that bothers me.

All said, I'm much happier with this little fire breather than I was with the rectoverb which I could never seem to stop fighting with. I can't compare the 6L6 version but I can tell you the EL34's really give off an early Metallica feel when you crank the gain which is exactly what I was looking for.

She's a keeper.

4.5/5

Glad you're happy with it!

 

[László]

My only dissapointments were that the amp's cabinet feels cheap compared to the Rectoverb's enclosure. Not sure if it's MDF (is that right?) or what but for the price of the amp, I was expecting premium wood.

PRS uses either Baltic Birch ply just like Mesa, or solid pine (a premium thing as well) on their heads and cabs. Moreover, they use finger jointed construction on all their heads and cabs, which is the strongest available, and offered by Mesa only on their extra-cost, solid hardwood cabs.

I don't believe they use MDF. You can probably check with PRS customer service and find out exactly what's used on yours.