A3rd.Zero
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2001
- Posts
- 216
- Likes
- 10
I recently acquired two Alesis amplifiers. One is a standard instrument amplifier the RA-100, its pretty basic, analogue volume control, separate volume control per channel. It pushes 100w per channel. The other is really a budget priced sound reinforcement amplifier, can push 640w when biamped and 350w per channel. I think that I can safely say that they had plenty of power for my pair of 250ohm Beyerdynamic 250's.
Other then the Volume knobs being hugely touchy (they are driving headphones) using the amps was as simple as connecting a basic speaker to 1/4" TRS adapter. I guess I was surprised that the amps did exactly what I expected them to do.
The RA-100 was very forward and clean, a little uninteresting compared to a tube amp, but quite reasonable for a solid state unit. It was quite dynamic and actually very musical. After listening to tube amps, HAP-03 clones, and a Fisher 400, for a long time now it was a welcome and interesting change.
The Matica-500 was a totally different story. It was like trying to talk to the very good looking woman at the bar who wants nothing to do with you. It was very straight forward in its presentation, quite beautiful and perfect, and totally utterly boring. It was disappointing as a headphone amplifier but it would be a fine reinforcement amplifier for live events, which I guess I expected but after the enjoyment I had with the RA-100 it was a little too bad.
Interestingly it seems that you can get used RA-100's on ebay for about $100, which is a really good price for such a unit. It's occasionally useful as a headphone amp, great as a nice, powerful garage amp, or just an amp that is strong and easy to use as a multipurpose unit. I am thinking of getting rid of the Matica, which I haven't listened to much, but the RA-100 is a welcome addition to the force.
Milo
Other then the Volume knobs being hugely touchy (they are driving headphones) using the amps was as simple as connecting a basic speaker to 1/4" TRS adapter. I guess I was surprised that the amps did exactly what I expected them to do.
The RA-100 was very forward and clean, a little uninteresting compared to a tube amp, but quite reasonable for a solid state unit. It was quite dynamic and actually very musical. After listening to tube amps, HAP-03 clones, and a Fisher 400, for a long time now it was a welcome and interesting change.
The Matica-500 was a totally different story. It was like trying to talk to the very good looking woman at the bar who wants nothing to do with you. It was very straight forward in its presentation, quite beautiful and perfect, and totally utterly boring. It was disappointing as a headphone amplifier but it would be a fine reinforcement amplifier for live events, which I guess I expected but after the enjoyment I had with the RA-100 it was a little too bad.
Interestingly it seems that you can get used RA-100's on ebay for about $100, which is a really good price for such a unit. It's occasionally useful as a headphone amp, great as a nice, powerful garage amp, or just an amp that is strong and easy to use as a multipurpose unit. I am thinking of getting rid of the Matica, which I haven't listened to much, but the RA-100 is a welcome addition to the force.
Milo
