Product: Soldano SM-100R Power Amp
Price Paid: USD 1500 USED
Submitted
10/10/2009
at
01:48pm
by
Paul
Email: apauln<at>live dot com dot au
Features
:
10
4 rack unit 100 watt mono tube power amp
Power and Standby switchs
Presence and Volume knobs
4,8,16 ohm selector
2 speaker conections
1 input conection
How do you rate a power amp for features? Everything you'll ever need with no excess.
Sound Quality
:
9
There is basicly 3 things;
1 - It's hands down the LOUDEST valve power amp I've ever heard for
it's power rating.
2 - Linked up with my Soldano SP-77 preamp going through a Soldano
cab loaded with x12000 speakers it produced a Soldano Hot Rod
like sound.
3 - There's a little background noise, some of it from the fan.
I'm taking 1 point off for the backgroung noise, but personally I think it adds a bit of character.
Reliability
:
10
It has a transferable lifetime warrenty and hasn't missed a beat! Each time I power my rig up it operates and sounds the same. How can you argue with that?
Customer Support
:
10
I've only ever sent them an email over history on some of my other Soldano gear. Mike Soldano replied personally, quickly and very thoroughly. From everything I've read and heard, their support is up there with the best.
Overall Rating
:
10
I'm a biased Soldano fan so there's no substitute! I don't know of a style of music that it can't haddle. None of my other Soldano gear has ever been anything other than perfect! I describe Soldano gain as a juicy snarling bark that won't fizz out no matter how much you turn it up. You get what you give to this gear.
Product: Soldano SM-100R Power Amp
Price Paid: US $1200
Submitted
03/26/2005
at
02:41am
by
Daryl
Features
:
10
Made in 1995. Mono power amp. Volume, and presence controls on front panel. Dual speaker out, impedance select and custom 50/100 watt select on rear panel. Runs 4 x 6L6 output valves and 2 x 12AX7 valves. More volume than you would ever need. It could be stereo but hey if you need stereo you could buy another.
In true Mike Soldano style this unit is basic uncomplicated and functional. No depth knob or voicing swithches (no need)
Sound Quality
:
10
I love modern rock sounds (ACDC, Van Halen, Soundgarden, VAI, Eric Johnson etc, but play all styles. To compare the SM 100 R to other power amps is easy. No one comes close. Well maybe a VHT 2150. The VHT is a great sounding power amp, it has a depth knob and is stereo, so you get more for your money. But there ain't none of that Soldano tone in the VHT.
I ran a VHT with a Sodano X99 preamp for some years, it sounded great but lacked something. I love the Soldano SLO 100 sounds but find that the amps are limited for live use. I was trying to get that Slo sound with the X99/VHT 2150. Anyway once I found the SM100 that was the sound I needed. Now I have a Slo 100 with 120 presets (beats 2x presets in the Slo 100).
Cleans up realy nice when tou roll down the guitar volume. Punchy, clean, ballsy power. Very progressive volume, gets some hiss noise at around 7, but that is normal for any valve amp.
Reliability
:
10
I have owned 2x Soldano X99's, 3x Soldano Slo 100's, a Soldano Decatone and this SM 100R power amp. I have never had any problem whatsoever with any of this gear.
Customer Support
:
10
It has a lifetime warranty, no matter how many people own it.
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing 28 years, I have owned more gear that I care mention. I currently own a Bogner Exstacy 100b, a Soldano X99 pre amp this SM100 power amp and a Soldano quad with vintage 30's
Just let me say that this is a serious piece of music technology, no fancy flashing lights, bells or whistles. This is what all amps should sound like. I understand that every one has different tastes, otherwise everyone would play the same amp and the same guitar.
The only catch is the price, I paid $1200 and that's just for a mono amp, that's a $2400 stereo amp.
Now all I need is another one! They are not made any more and not many were made, not sure of the figures but I know that these are hard to come by.
