What are the differences between Archon 25 combo and Archon 50 combo

[GrumpyOldDba]

Besides the top output can anyone please break down any differences between these combo's?

I already have the MT15 hooked to a Mesa cab but am looking for a combo for band practice at home and who knows might use the archon combo playing out.

GC has a bunch of used 50 and 25 watt combos at some really nice prices.

Thanks John

 

[Boogie]

Sonically, I vastly preferred the 50 over the 25. Vastly.

 

[bodia]

Sonically, I vastly preferred the 50 over the 25. Vastly.

Ditto. I replaced my 25 with a 50. Tubes are different. I think that’s it. 25 was good. The 50 is awesome.

 

[GrumpyOldDba]

Is it just different power tubes? Can you put in a set of whatever the 50 has into the 25?

What about speaker in cabinet?

Sorry PRS does not seem to have specs for 25 on website any longer or maybe i am looking in wrong place.

 

[bodia]

Is it just different power tubes? Can you put in a set of whatever the 50 has into the 25?

What about speaker in cabinet?

Sorry PRS does not seem to have specs for 25 on website any longer or maybe i am looking in wrong place.

Yes, power tubes. No, I do not believe you can put the tubes from the 50 into the 25. Too much power.

Both use a “customized“ V30.

 

[elvis]

The 25 uses 5881 tubes, which are low power 6L6. If you put in a 6L6 pair (like the 50) you will likely cook the output transformer.

The mt15 uses legit 6L6 biased for lower power.

 

[GrumpyOldDba]

Hmmm some pretty nice reviews of the Archon 25 ... sounds gainy enough for me probably ... no decisions yet.

 

[Boogie]

5881s are really nice tubes and I’ve wanted an amp to use my vintage set. Never thought of the low watt Archon, but now I am.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

I find all the negative remarks about the 25 interesting. The one I tried was new, and I wrote it off as my not caring for the speaker in the combo. Bodia says there’s no competition. Yet they should sound almost identical at most volumes and not all that different even when pushing the power tubes. Yet several hear have had them and didn’t think they compared.

I know the 50 watt head is an AWESOME amp. I wanted to love the 25 watt combo, but A) didn’t and B) I tried it in a store and didn’t dial around on it much. Now that I know the amps controls inside out, I’d love to try one again. As much as I love the 50 with a 1x12 Thiele/EM12, I’d love to try a combo with an EM12n, or an ET65 or of course, a scumback.

 

[bodia]

5881s are really nice tubes and I’ve wanted an amp to use my vintage set. Never thought of the low watt Archon, but now I am.

Do it already. I’d like to see you post a New Something Day, since it’s something I’ve never seen! I’ll forgive the Santana thing if you do

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Do it already. I’d like to see you post a New Something Day, since it’s something I’ve never seen! I’ll forgive the Santana thing if you do

Or maybe a “two-fer”

 

[Boogie]

Do it already. I’d like to see you post a New Something Day, since it’s something I’ve never seen! I’ll forgive the Santana thing if you do

But I’ve got a few nice things now...it’s tough to want for much when you buy smart the first time around. Although, the thought of a Santana stuffed with EVH pickups crossed my mind a few minutes ago. Not sure that’s been done before.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

But I’ve got a few nice things now...it’s tough to want for much when you buy smart the first time around. Although, the thought of a Santana stuffed with EVH pickups crossed my mind a few minutes ago. Not sure that’s been done before.

Do it! (Disguised Jedi mind trick)

 

[bodia]

But I’ve got a few nice things now...it’s tough to want for much when you buy smart the first time around. Although, the thought of a Santana stuffed with EVH pickups crossed my mind a few minutes ago. Not sure that’s been done before.

Good point.

I could totally get behind that Santana plan!

 

[GrumpyOldDba]

Pulled the trigger on a Archon 25 combo "excellent condition" ( supposedly ) from GC for 749.

I am thinking it will be easier to play out with that than my MT15 assuming that I like it ( which I am sure I will ).

Pics later in new thread once it arrives. Peace out!