PA100R
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Sale!
Out of stock
SOLD -- Deal of the WeekIn-Stock PA-50R Standard Black (B-STOCK)
Original price was: $1,399.00.$1,349.00Current price is: $1,349.00. Select options -
Verified owner
rbasaria
Reviewer
I wasn't totally sure what to expect with this thing because of my past experience with KSR gear, but I have been floored with how good it sounds. Recently got a syn-1 and uber module, and after running it through various FX loops and a small AB power amp, it became clear that I needed a tube power amp for it. I didn't want something rack, and I don't need stereo, so the 290, 2902 stuff that is standard these days was sort of out. That left the power station and this thing. Ultimately, I think the fact that it weighs 13 lbs was what sold me haha. After about 5 seconds of playing, I knew this is exactly what I needed for this preamp system. Small, light, portable, and that all tube sound we all know and love so much. No noise problems like I was having through all these FX loops, sounds better, I don't totally know what the NFB control does, but the other controls all make perfect sense, and are exactly what you'd want in a modern power amp. I can see the hifi setting being great for modelers.
Anyway, this power amp makes so much sense. I think most guitar players looking for something like this are running some kind of standalone preamp/pedal thing. Most of us don't need the size, weight, and cost that come with stereo power amps these days, and there aren't a lot of affordable, compact options for mono tube power amps for guitar out there. All these little solid state amps just don't do the same thing, no matter how hard they try to.
Sounds great, you get the RIGHT controls, and you get something that can easily hang in any band setting. It can be as loud as you need, but also as quiet as you need. I've never heard a power amp be as transparent as you increase the volume as this thing. Really, just perfect for this type of setup.
3 years ago
Gear Haven
Reviewer
THE BEST AMP I’VE EVER OWNED!!!
I know that “the best amp” concept can sometimes be a bit biased or difficult to comprehend, but let me try and explain what I mean.
I remember many years ago when one of my favorite sports/hobbies was trying out new amps. It can surely be a fun activity, but it can definitely become frustrating if you know the exact tone you’re chasing and cannot fully find it. Back in the day, I would buy an amp, own it for 6 months -when I would intensively play with it in lots and lots of different scenarios-, and end up selling it to finance a new project/amp. Some experiences were more rewarding than others for sure. Victims of that trend were companies such as Bogner, CAA, Engl, Marshall, Mesa/Boogie, Egnater, Diezel, Fryette, Suhr, and many others. After having owned numerous rigs, I came to the point where I thought I was almost there tone-wise speaking. The Mesa/Boogie Mark V was giving me that clean channel I’d always dreamt of and a crushing lead tone that was very pleasing to my ears.
I could have stopped my quest right there, but you tone-freaks know how this works: The quest for tone never ends!
Back in 2012, I was fortunate enough to meet a great guy and incredible amp builder, Kyle Rhodes, who introduced me to the mighty Colossus H-100. I was immediately impressed and, of course, decided to buy one and do all the regular tests I do with every single amp I own. The results were… well… mind blowing! All of a sudden, the wonderful Mark V clean sounded thin and lifeless, and its pleasing lead channel started to lack “balls”.
Most people see KSR Amps as metal beasts, and they surely do a great job in that realm. But there’s much more to Kyle’s creations. The Colossus is so versatile that it can offer you whatever you might be looking for. Wanna play blues, jazz, American rock, hair metal, thrash, and everything else in between? The Colossus can take you there in the blink of an eye. Trust me when I say that I would still own this amp exclusively for the Clean and Crunch channels. I remember always looking for that drive pedal that would give me the perfect light crunch to complement my 2/3-channel amps. That search is over now because nothing sounds like the Colossus’ Crunch. I truly believe that you could have a single-channel amp with that exact crunch and it would definitely be THE BEST single-channel amp ever made!
Regarding the Clean channel, after having tried dozens and dozens of amps, very few of them come close to what the Colossus can do. You simply need to try it and you’ll see how sweet, smooth, and responsive it can be.
And of course, when it comes to the two Lead channels, well… you simply cannot beat KSR. I could say that they’re perfect just by their articulation alone, but there’s much more to them. They’re crunchy, ballsy, organic, but sweet and tender at the same time. It’s an experience you have to try for yourself.
In a nutshell, if you’re after tonal bliss, KSR Amps is the way to go. Picture a hot witch casting a spell on your ears… a spell you can’t possibly break. Just do yourself a favor, go KSR, and thank me later. I’ve been using the Colossus since 2012 and have never looked back. I HAVE FOUND TONE.
And if all that weren’t more than enough, Kyle’s an awesome dude, and you should always take your business to those people who’re really worth it. In a world full of jackasses with mountain-high egos, we should always do our best to try and support companies like KSR Amps.
8 years ago
