ART SLA-1

I believe this is the same amp that the review for the ART SLA-200 is based on but want to make clear in hopes to save any confusion on which amp this is. It is not the ART SLA-2. This review is on the ART SLA-1 power amp 1 rack space. It is has 100 watts stereo outputs at 8 ohms, 130 watts stereo output at 4 ohms and 260 watts mono (Bridged) at 8 ohms. It has no 1/4 speaker output jack, only accepts a banana plug type (not too hard to find). It only weighs 13.2 lbs and really packs a wallop! I used this with a Marshall TSL 100 while running it through a THD Hotplate and it is a nice clean power amp. I don't think it was originally designed for guitar but basically for anything that needs or requires good clean power. I am currently running a H & K Cream Machine through this. I almost went out and bought the big brother after jamming with a friend who plays through a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier and a 4x12 cab because it just started to clip at the extreme, and I mean extreme volume we were playing at. I was only running through a 2x12 cab and had the sla-1 bridged at 260 watts mono 8 ohms.

I since have purchased another 2x12 cab and now daisy chain them together when I am jamming with volume monsters playing through Marshalls and Mesas with 4x12. Running the two 2x12 cabs into each other changes the ohms to 4 rather than 8. At first I was concerned about not being able to bridge the amp and get 260 watts but when I heard the monster sound of the 4x12s working together at 130 watts I was no longer concerned. I can definitely make a drummer wish he had his kit miked during a jam session and I mean a hard hitting drummer (not that I would ever do that (te-he). If you like to play so ridiculously loud that you cannot even hear the drummer whatsoever, you may want to get the ART SLA-2. But the SLA-1 can and will remove pictures and objects from the walls! Even when it starts to clip it still sounds clear.

The sound quality is fantastic. It is hard to believe that this is not an all out designated guitar amp but then again this is clean power so if you are looking for tube saturation you want to stick with tube amps. I don't really know a lot about all of those hybrid solid state power amps with tube preamps in them. My guess is that they are to attract buyers that are trying to get some warmth and character out of the power amp. I also don't know if they actually deliver. IMO if you need tube warmth or character don't beat around the bush. Get a tube amp. This should already be established with a tube power amp section but, to each their own.

This amp sounds excellent and is straight forward. No tone controls but can be bridged for 260 watts at 8 oms or ran stereo at 4 or 8 ohms.

Built like a tank. Very solid but not heavy like a boat anchor. It doesn't get very hot, has a nice little fan built in that you can never even hear. If you are blasting the thing it will get hot but not too bad at all. Just a little extra heat as opposed to practice levels.

Excellent customer service. Not only did they respond within 24 hours, they actually answered all of my questions unlike some other companies I wont mention in this review.

Excellent value. If it were to get stolen I might get the SLA-2 just for the extra headroom although I would probably never even need it. But then again, although it is still only 1 rack space it is 5 MORE pounds to lug around and I don't really need the extra power. I would definitely go with one of them as I have already looked into the Marshall Valvestates amd ADA Microtubes and for the money and the task to be accomplished, I choose the ART SLAs for sure. I'm not going to pay all of that extra money just for tubes in a solid state power amp and less watts and bridging capabilities. Already have the tube tone established. Guess it just depends on ones needs. For me this is the best clean power amp available in it's price range and only one rack space too, 260 watts, 13 lbs.