If you're reading this review then I imagine you've been researching power amps to miniaturize your rig for gigs, you're looking for a quality power amp option for your modeler(s) and/or preamp pedal(s) so you can run them through a real cabinet, or you're just a gear addict (trust me... you are not alone lol). When I purchased this power amp I was looking for the best option for running my Axe FX III and Quad Cortex through real cabs in lieu of studio monitors. I also assume if you're researching this power amp then you're wondering if it's worth it to drop some extra cash for a tube power amp, or just getting a solid state alternative to save some cash. So, I have some good news and some bad news for you. The bad news is this power amp is ABSOLUTELY worth the additional cash, and you're going to have to drop the extra cash. The good news is it's absolutely worth the paying the extra cash in lieu of the inferior solid-state alternatives. Now, let me tell you why!

Solid-state (think transistors instead of tubes) power amps sound good at low volumes, but as you crank the volume you will inevitably saturate the amplifier(s) in the solid-state unit causing signal distortion (not the good kind you're thinking) which leads to clipping, loss of signal fidelity/tonal clarity, and potentially damaging the circuit. This is because solid-state amplifiers are typically used for low-noise rather than high-power applications. Simply put, solid-state power amplifiers are not designed to and cannot hang with tube power amps. In conclusion, if you want the tube tone to drive your modeler(s) and/or preamp pedal(s), then I strongly recommend this power amplifier. However, there is one caveat to this... we now have the 50W and 100W rack mountable options available. So, if you're a gigging musician, and you are already having to tote a rack, then I'd recommend the 100R rackmount 100W power amp. If you're looking for more mobility to miniaturize your rig then stick with the PA50. Personally, I would suggest buying both the PA50 and the 100R, but either way you can't go wrong with this power amp. My 6L6GC loaded PA50 sounds incredible, and I couldn't be happier with the quality of construction and most importantly the quality of the tone.