ADA Micro-Tube 200 Power Amp

This amp is NOT a tube power amp, but rather a solid state power amp that runs the signal through one 12AX7 tube on each side. I think this amp sounds great. It puts the signal through clearly and does not alter it much. It is very warm sounding for a power amp, probably cause of the small tube. It won't pass for an all-tube amplifier, but it comes damn close, especially when you throw in the fact that is is all in a single rack space.

As far as features go, this is a plain-jane power amp. It is 100 watts stereo into 4 ohms, or bridgeable as 200 watts into 8 ohms. It has 2 volume knobs and a lighted level meter, which is nice. The only other feature is a presence knob that affects both channels. This knob doesn't change the sound drastically, but can add a little top end if you like.

I have 2 of these next to each other in my rack, but I have never had to go to the back up. I have run this amp for 5 hours at a time for alomst 2 years and have never had any necessary maintenance. I have replaced the tubes a few times and it changes the sound, but that was my choice.

ADA is out of business, which is too bad cause they made some damn fine products.

This is a GREAT GREAT GREAT amp. I think is totally out-performs any other single space power amp that is designed for guitar. 200 watts possible (well, maybe it's not really a full 200, but it gets damn loud if you want it too). I use an ADA MP-1 pre-amp with this unit and it sounds absolutely fantastic. Highly recommended.

Its a power amp. Generic in function. Not hard

Sounded really thin. No substitute for a real quality tube amplifier.

I used it a couple of times and then packed it away. 6 months later i sold it to a guy and it did not work. Took it to a repair guy that builds amps and he said it was a factory defect.

I gotta give them credit here. I called and it had just gone out of warranty and they honored it and fixed it no questions asked. They get a whopping hands up for customer support on this one.

It just is not a substitute for a real tube amplifier.

Left and right volume. Single presence. 1/4' outs for either stereo or mono. If run in mono the left volume controls the overall level. This is so easy to use - a lead singer could operate it.

I run a Ibanez guitar with EMG pickups thru a Digitech 2112 into my micro-tube 200. I used to think it was the best sound I had ever heard. Then I got a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier head. I ran the same setup thru the heads clean channel and was stunned by how fat and huge my tone got. Suddenly my micro-tube was flat and midrange sounding with no warmth. The lesson I took from this is - always do as much side by side comparison's as you can, with everything from power amps to picks. I would have bet you my bandroom that a power amp change alone could not have made the difference in my tone as it did. But I would have lost because the difference was HUGE!!!

The protection light comes on sometimes for no apparent reason. The amp finally starts a minute or two later. Other than that - no problems.

Called them once about setup questions - mono vs stereo - and the guy was curtious and helpful.

A good amp. But I have yet to hear anything that compares to a 100 watt ALL TUBE guitar head. The micro-tube will sound fine unless you are playing with another guitar player who has a Mesa or Marshall 100 watt head.

Two channels (stereo) with a volume knob for each. A presence control, power and standby switches. And that's it. Setup is very simple. The manual answers most questions and is fairly thorough.

I've never owned a "real" tube amp so I have nothing to compare it to regarding warmth. The sound appears to be mostly transparent.

I had problems with reliability. I run it in bridged mono and was having the whole right side switch off and on by itself. I shipped it to ADA once and they sent it back but it still wasn't working right. I sent it again and they found a broken wire. It's worked fine since, but I'm a little wary of it.

My experience with support was favorable. They offered to pay shipping both ways the second time I sent the amp to them. I was a little annoyed that the problem wasn't fixed the first time, though. After the first time, I wrote the president of the company a letter requesting a replacement unit. He never responded nor returned my phone calls. Everyone else I spoke to was cheerful.

Seems like a decent amp, but now I'd probably go with something else. Don't let me dissuade you from getting one, though. It works well in my rack setup.

The Microtube 200 has a great clean tone that is unheard of in most poweramps. It feels pure and clean..

I think it is worth the extra money to get one.. I know you can pick a Peavey classic or a Marshall poweramp for cheeper, but they just lack the tone...

Umm, Very easy. Left and right volumes, and a presence control.

Very rich and much cleaner than I thought it was going to be. I thought it would break up more, but it is a very natural clean sound.

It's worked fine, except for one time when it was sketchy. The protect light came on and stayed on for about a minute. When it went off, there was an audible pop.

no experience with support

I know the store really well, and got a good deal. The amp is made for guitar, so it isn't exactly tranparent, but itsounds like a guitar amp power section. Very warm, pretty clean, and loud!

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