ADA Micro-Tube 200 Power Amp

Simple 2 channel power amp with presence control.

Doesn't color sound, the 2 12AX7 tubes are transparent. I use it with ADA MP-1. I don't get noise or hum, it's clean.

It's been very reliable for over 10 years. It failed in it's 2nd year due to an improper impedance level that stemmed from the speaker cabinets (high impedence speakers). There is a 'Protect' circuit that has worked well.

ADA Customer Support was at the time very easy to deal with, RMA'd the unit to California for repair, it was in protect and they fixed it without delay, included a couple of T shirts when they returned the unit. I was impressed.

I play a mix of clean and distorted musical styles. This amp is noise free and clean. I've been playing for 20 years. It has been with me for over 10 of them. I use it with an ADA MP-1 preamp, ART and Eventide Harmonizer processors and it's wired to Jensen Alnico p10r speakers. It's so loud I rarely push it past 50%. Pretty much never need more than 50% of it. It has mono / stereo outputs and fits in a 1U rack space. It is incredibly compact. It doesn't color the sound as some tube amps are known to. Again, clean and transparent.

I play with a fairly heavy gain from a POD XTL (Powerball Model) and most of my guitars have EMG 81s & 85s. The MT200 adds a nice bit of warmth & compression for a solid state amp. It's pretty loud and *very* clean at high volumes. Not much added noise.

Basic stereo with bridge option. The presence control is a great addition.

So far so good. I've only had it for a few weeks, but it's behaving like a champ.

Can't rate support since ADA is gone but as other mention, adadepot.com is an amazing resource for all things ADA.

I'm already buying a 2nd one for a backup... I can't imagine not having one in my rack.

guitar = 84 strat elite w/ emg pickups.
Musical styles = pop, classic rock, blues, modern rock, some jazz.
The amp is very quiet. The tube preamps help to give it a tube like sound and feel. The amp can be pushed very hard. It produces a lot of volume without distortion. It is warm sounding, not sterile like other transistor amps.

Technical data:
Output Power: 100 watts RMS, 4 ohms both
channels, 200 watts RMS, 8 ohms bridged.
Frequency Response: 40Hz to 30kHz +/-5dB.
Tube Complement: 2x12AX7A.
Controls: Power on-off, standby, separate A &
B channel attenuators, Presence control.
Dimensions: D = 9.5", W=19", H = 1.75"
(1 rack space).
Weight: 8 lbs., 10 lbs. shipping.

No problems, performs night after night.

Never used and they are gone so I guess I never will

The review is really about the amp but Harmony central would like me to
you about me so here goes for what it is worth.
I have been playing for 35 years. I have played God only knows how many amps in how many different situations. I wanted to rate this amp because of its sound size and durability. It is a stereo single rack space. You plug up and play. Virtually no maintenance. It sounds great especially concidering its size and weight. It is powerful. Is it the end all be all? No but gees, find another amp that fits this bill. Hats off to ADA,
with equipment like this, why arent they still around? Buy one, you'll love it.

I play several types of gtrs, all hi end, with gourmet pickups single and double coil and RMC piezo pickups, studio and live use, very wide variety of styles. I was using a huge rack system including MESA quad and CAE preamps, loads of outboard gear, OK so if I have all this cool gear why am I using this, well I was desperate to go smaller and to be honest i was willing to compromise on sound, turns out I didn't need to, the MP2 section of the quad tube sounds fantastic, this is not an emulator its a real tube preamp, does it do a wide range of sounds, YES, are they very very good yes, can it closely mimic other tube amps yes definetly, I really like tube clean sounds like the deluxe, it does it, plenty of brown sounds, plents of hi gain sounds, does real good semi broken up spanky sounds, really has a wide range and is excellent over the whole curve, hi gain sounds require the noise gate as is common and it has a good noise gate built in, check all the reviews of the ADA MP2 it is an all analog cicuit under digital control and it sounds GREAT. it has a very good sounding tremolo as good or better than %90 of the tremolo pedals and unlike those it is programable and can be controlled via midi, compresser and chorus are both very good, the cab sim is fantastic for recording, you can go direct to a board and out to speakers at the same time, for recording you can you use the cab sim direct and mic the cab at the same time, very cool to do, it has a single knob EQ on the front for changing the brightness relative to the room your in, very quickly, ALL PROGRAMMABLE UNITS SHOULD HAVE THIS! tons of EQ options (both standard tone controls and graphic) allow you to make dramatic sounds, scoop all you want, make it cut thru the mix, change the sound of your pickups, make extreme sounds, the EQ is up to it, I really like this amp, I really think it sounds great, I have experience with all the really hi end tube gear, units that cost ALOT more than this, it is comparable to them and better in some ways, I really like the sounds

very rare, made just before ADA lost out to the vagaries of the MI market, these guys made very hi quality excellent sounding gear and its a shame cause if they had continued in this vein we would have some even more amazing products today, Ok so what is this thing? its kinda like an MP2 preamp, a microcab II, a microtube power amp and maybe a little ampulator as well, plus it has a much better user interface than the other as it has real buttons instead of of the gel soft switches on the mp preamps, this alone makes it the thing to get if your into the sounds of the MPs, those gel switches suck, it adds a mono loop that the MP2 doesn't have, THIS IS NEEDED, I was using an MP2 and constantly pissed I couldn't patch some pedals inline before efx, now I can, you get ALL the features of the MP2, except the rather mediocre wah, in its place it variable and programmable cab voicings, very cool!. ADA has the best cab sim. it has a stereo 150 watt power section very warm SS with a tube front end, don't have all the details as to how but ADA manages to get a push pull tube power amp sound out of the preamp driver tubes, it has xlr and 1/4 outs, stereo and mono loops FULL MIDI control, being programmable with soooo many options it is super versatile, also includes a very good tremolo and stereo chorus, the compresser is better than the earlier MP models and is very good, having it onboard and programmable and placed correctly in front of the tube preamp is perfect

ADA is no longer in biz, so there is that, a co called ADA depot exists that helps folks deal with these very popular wonderful peices of gear, they have things like manuals, upgrades, referrals to folks who can work on them and tons of info, in general ADA has a rep for rock solid construction and up to long term pro use, I have always found that to be the case, they use real metal cases and if you look at the insides it is obvious they are made well, ADA was a USA co, I depend on them without problem

ADA was a great co for support before they closed up, obviously thats gone, ADA depot exists and there is strong user base with lots of onlune presence, no support form ADA but I think you could find support online if needed, I got my manual that way

if you bought an MP2, a microcab II and a Microtube 200 you still wouldn't have all the features in this, add in that this is stoopid rare and in head form and rather small and light at that, it is an exceptional value and an exceptional package, it is well designed by some of the best designers to ever do this sort of thing, it is laid out better than anyting I've used, the signal path is correct and adaptable, I really don't have anything bad to say about this, I have the head version (very few made) they also made a combo 2x12 if ever run across either BUY IT, the ADA MP series are great pre's, the MP2 is just soooo versatile and good sounding, this adds everything they don't have and the improvements are dramatic, i was using an MP2 and I am so glad I got this I highly recommend anyone using ADA gear to pick one of these up as the ultimate in the series, absolutely fabulous!

ADA is no longer in business. Buy at your own risk. This amp (when it works) can kick your balls right off. It's a hybrid solid state/preamp amp. For all you techies:
Imput impedance - 50k ohms
output power - 100 watts RMS, 4 ohms both channels, 200 watts RMS, 8 ohms bridged.
Freqs 40 Hz to 30kHz
uses two 12AX7 tubes.
Oh yeah, this thing also has a presence (you know, the presence) knob that adds fizz to your distortion patches, pretty cool.
Simple to use (it's just an amp!).

It's a hybrid amp...so it's -somewhere- between a solid state sound and a tube sound, but leaning more towards the solid state sound even with the presence knob.

This is the -second- micro-tube 200 I've owned and it just crapped out like the first one. They tend to last about 5-6 years before curling up in the fetal position. I can't believe I went and bought a second one. And YES, I changed the friggin tubes to make sure.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on ME.
I give it a 4 because it lasted at least that long, but I really hate it when things break.

These guys are nothing but a memory now.

I'm not going to buy another one.
I'm not gigging so I'm not in a rush to run out and buy. Maybe I'll save up my money and get a Carvin TS100 or a Mesa Boogie Rectifier Stereo 2: One Hundred.
For now I'll just slap a 7 on this item for what it -was-. What it is right now is a 1 though (broken).

Better sound than my old Mesa Boogie 50/50, not as good as my old Mesa 2:90. Extremely loud when needs be, with no noise. The fan is dead silent, and the unit I have has to be 10 years old b/c ADA had been out of business for a long time.

Pretty basic features you usually find on most power amps, volume knob, presence knob; one for each channel. Runs like 2 100 watt mono amps, just like any other normal power amp. The tubes help clean up your preamp's sound, but there is no tube in the power stage.

Totally dependable. Used regularly for over a year, no problems whatsoever, and I've gigged regularly and rehearsed quite a bit.

n/a ADA R.I.P.

Its versatility is uncomparable for the money. I run a couple of Jacksons for clean warm tones and a few ESPs tuned way down to C# for the in your face crunch. I played just about everything when I went looking for a new amp and this little monster was right there with all the big names, i.e. Marshall, Mesa Boogie, etc..
Add to it the ADA MC-1 pre amp and I got a tone that is unmatched. 4 overall 12AX7 tubes can make a sound you won't believe. In addition I replaced the 12AX7s with 1960's Russian made tubes. WOW.

Great little amp for the money. Completely Idiot proof with it's internal protection circuitry and presence knobs. This thing goes to 11 when you only have it turned up to 5.

More reliable than any chick I ever dated.

Never needed.

I would give it a 9. My buddy was insistent on laying out the dough for a boogie tri-ax. When he heard mine (for a fraction of the cost) he wanted to cry. My tone is every bit as good, if not better, than anything out there. I'd bet my ass on it.

Very simple to use it. Two Volume controls, a Presence Knob very useful, a standby and power button...

I`m using a Gibson Nighthawk, ADA Microtube 200, Digitech SGS 2112, Behringer DualFex EX2200, a Warm Music 4x12 Cabs. The sound is very fat, my guitar sounds like a everything I want. I play Metal, Rock, Pop and the sound is great. No fucking noise.

I don't need a back up....

I never needed...

In my opinion this power amp is great....
I like the sound of solid state, but this comes with two 12AX7 thats gives more power to the sound, more bright...

Nice!

For the love of Pete is thing loud. I like its idiot resistant usability. Presence control is nice. Good audio replication. Loud!
A power amp that has a tube preamp stage(?). hehe. I love this thing!
Oh, it is loud.

Still running and this thindg is at least a couple of years old.

out of business.

I would hunt ebay for another one.

I use a PRS CE24 (92) with a maple top and the standard HFS and Vintage Neck PRS pickups. I've rewired so my volume is a single coil push/pull tap. I play it all: jazz, country, pop/rock, metal, reggae. I've owned two of these amps. My first was pristine, this one I bought at auction. After some minor repair(self administered). It had the same sound I remembered. I can push this amp wide open and it delivers without whining. At 80% open I started to get tube hiss (12AX7 tubes are in the preamp stage n both sides), and found it to be the tubes in the amp were of the high gain russain variety. A couple of good Mesa tubes later, and she quieted right down. The presence control makes the amp very responsive: otherwise this thing would be a boat anchor.

This is a straight-forward hybrid power amp. You have to input options, mono or stereo. Two output options stereo or bridged mono. The front has controls for left/mono output, right output, presence, and a protect light (which goes on if it gets an overload that could result in amp damage). It would be nice to have line level outputs on the amp, but who complaining about 200 watts in one rack space?

This was beat up by it's previous owner (my fixit job included taking a ballpene hammer just so to the cooling fan inside-it works great now and doesn't make all the noise). It also survived a terrible packaging job to come to me (a rack ear was protruding from the box when it arrived on my doorstep). I plugged it in, opened it up and beat the sonic snot out of it, and it didn't let me down.

Customer support is nill. The copmpany no longer exists.

I've been playing for 13 years, was an assistant manager of a guitar shop, and traded gear every two months. After settling down I decided to build myself a system again based on what I remembered from my experiences at the shop four years prior. My preamp is a Rocktron ProGap ULTRA, My FX a TSR24S with Paralell Processing Upgrade, and an X15 Midi Pedal to go with th aforementioned PRS. The ADA can take a beating better than any all tube amp I know and yet the 12AX7s give it just the right kick.

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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