Product: CeriaTone AX84 Hi-Octane
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
07/17/2006
at
09:44am
by
Michel
Features
:
9
2 Gain, one Master, Treble, Mid, Bass. One input, and 3 speaker outputs 4, 8 and 16 Ohms. 2 12AX7's, one EL84. Extra's is a conjunctive filter switch, and the possibility to switch end tubes into either the standard EL84, the low wattage 6N1P, or the Octal socket which is set for 6V6. I use the octal socket the most, with a 1940ish 6V6G from Westinghouse (Coke bottle shape). Lot's of options, and the seperated gain knob enable you to get from Blues to Shred Metal!
Sound Quality
:
10
This is a little monster....it has a major vintage tone, but is still able to cut into high gain territory without using any pedals. I built it myself, and put in the extra options just to be sure ;)
As most folks I ended up with one major setting, it runs into my 4x12 1960 Cab and it is loud enough to play small gigs. The 6N1P gives it 1/2 Watt, good for bedroom playing if I ever needed it, but still loud when cranked! With the 6V6 the output is about 13Watts.
Reliability
:
7
Well, lots of tinkering, and I made it myself what can I say? It didn't break down, so it's all good! Parts and chassis however supplied by Nik are definately first class!
Customer Support
:
10
Mail contact is outstanding, nice guy to deal with. And because of the way these amps are designed, it should be fairly easy to repair with components from Nik.
Overall Rating
:
10
The Hi-Octane is not listed anymore, but I am sure Nik can still make you a package with which you can build it. Amazing bang for the bucks, amazing gain and the AX84 community to back you up....My next amp will definately be from Ceriatone, most probably the 36Watter Marshall ;)
