One major point we forgot to make is that the revised Archon does not have the half power switch that the earlier USA models had. Small detail but we also wanted to point that out!
The USA-made Archon has a hybrid turret board (turret board, but a few traces here and there) layout, all hand-soldered here. Why would you even make a claim about it being an Indonesian part without an actual source? It makes you look unknowledgeable.
That’s unfortunate that prs is shifting more towards overseas manufacturing. You don’t have to make everything as cheap as possible..... just another Marshall disaster.
it's the buyers only buying lowe cost and manufacturers in the usa being regulated to death....but this amp actually is made decent and sounds killer in my studio
This is crazy. On the gain test I wasn't looking at the screen and I was waiting for the switch to the new model. Turns out it switched without me noticing any difference haha. For cleans personally I actually prefer the ones on the new model. A bit more 'jazzy', smooth, soft. Not as versatile maybe but very pleasant.
Awesome playing, amazing tight high gain tones, jazzy fenderish cleans, killer package ! BTW, I was caught off guard during the transition from USA to Indonesia version, the tone was nearly the same, and I'm super picky !
This is a weird move imo. The US head isn't that loaded to warrant the price increase and to have a cheaper overseas version. The US heads aren't exactly a rare commodity nor super expensive in the first place.
I thought the same thing at first but it kind of makes sense - the circuit board was already made overseas in the original Archon, so why not just make the whole thing there and make the price point that much more accessible with no real change in tone quality… Also I think this will play into a larger more robust lineup of PRS amps coming at some point, although that’s just a theory ;)
@@ishguitars i assume the circuit was the same crew as the MT15? Both the MT15 i had and the archon 50 i have has the huge volume jump when you adjust the master.
@@CMS069 I have a USA model, and the board is mostly hand wired and some traces. Not much though, and the board itself looks like an old school eyelet board. It’s a hybrid, but pretty sure not made in Indonesia hybrid. Don’t know where these guys are getting their info. The USA model also comes with Classictone Output Transformer, and Classictone just went out of business, so the transformers are no longer available. I think this is partially why they made this move.
The other cool thing about the funky tubes is there are relatively cheap and are a bit over built for bias. So they should last a long time for msot users.
Recently got the new import 50w combo. Love it. Great sounds at any volume. Two niggles: pops loudly when powering off, and had a loose connection inside the amp rendering it inoperable. Once fixed, it's becoming a fav for a quick grab n go that I don't worry about too much. Has me searching for a used USA 100 watter.
I used to live right near PRS and have looked at the job listings many many times; they pay the workers garbage. I met someone who had painted guitars for them for like 8 years and made like $18 an hour.
IF we're to assume the identical circuit, I'm sure the differences are largely construction/material related, mostly the wood and such. Nice vid though boys, great comparison.
I also think it sounds a tiny bit darker than the original. It's like the highs or high-mids are centered at a bit lower frequency. Still sounds great though!
00:00 - Intro
01:53 - USA Archon Gain
02:16 - Indonesian Archon Gain
02:39 - Tonal differences?
03:14 - Cosmetic and physical differences?
04:45 - USA Archon Clean
05:03 - Indonesian Archon Clean
05:18 - Tonal differences?
06:45 - Tube differences?
08:05 - Price difference
9:14 - Back panel differences
10:24 - Overall closing thoughts
One major point we forgot to make is that the revised Archon does not have the half power switch that the earlier USA models had. Small detail but we also wanted to point that out!
Brutal Tremonti riff! Excellent choice for that setup. Love it!
The USA-made Archon has a hybrid turret board (turret board, but a few traces here and there) layout, all hand-soldered here. Why would you even make a claim about it being an Indonesian part without an actual source? It makes you look unknowledgeable.
1 dude heard the mids brighter. 1 dude heard the amp as darker. Same amp. Same clip. Just goes to show... people hear everything differently.
That’s unfortunate that prs is shifting more towards overseas manufacturing. You don’t have to make everything as cheap as possible..... just another Marshall disaster.
it's the buyers only buying lowe cost and manufacturers in the usa being regulated to death....but this amp actually is made decent and sounds killer in my studio
It's the buyers. The over Walmarting of things. People want everything for next to nothing.
🔥 TREMONTI 🔥
Great review, makes me want to get one of the new Archons.
I’m your man to help with that 😉
Sounds near identical.
I have an archon 100 and it's just awesome. 6l6.
What tubes are in your demo 100?
JJ 6L6s and a combination of JJs and Tung Sol preamp tubes.
This is crazy. On the gain test I wasn't looking at the screen and I was waiting for the switch to the new model. Turns out it switched without me noticing any difference haha. For cleans personally I actually prefer the ones on the new model. A bit more 'jazzy', smooth, soft. Not as versatile maybe but very pleasant.
Pre ordering the head tomorrow. Thanks guys.
Awesome playing, amazing tight high gain tones, jazzy fenderish cleans, killer package ! BTW, I was caught off guard during the transition from USA to Indonesia version, the tone was nearly the same, and I'm super picky !
I heard no difference
This is a weird move imo. The US head isn't that loaded to warrant the price increase and to have a cheaper overseas version. The US heads aren't exactly a rare commodity nor super expensive in the first place.
I thought the same thing at first but it kind of makes sense - the circuit board was already made overseas in the original Archon, so why not just make the whole thing there and make the price point that much more accessible with no real change in tone quality… Also I think this will play into a larger more robust lineup of PRS amps coming at some point, although that’s just a theory ;)
@@ishguitars i assume the circuit was the same crew as the MT15? Both the MT15 i had and the archon 50 i have has the huge volume jump when you adjust the master.
They fixed this actually!! We didn’t put it in the video as we were pressed for time
@@CMS069 I have a USA model, and the board is mostly hand wired and some traces. Not much though, and the board itself looks like an old school eyelet board. It’s a hybrid, but pretty sure not made in Indonesia hybrid. Don’t know where these guys are getting their info. The USA model also comes with Classictone Output Transformer, and Classictone just went out of business, so the transformers are no longer available. I think this is partially why they made this move.
The old archon combo can be turn down to 25W. This one can't.
Literally the difference you hear is wattage & tubes. Same circuits. The half wattage doesn't really matter.
The other cool thing about the funky tubes is there are relatively cheap and are a bit over built for bias. So they should last a long time for msot users.
Recently got the new import 50w combo. Love it. Great sounds at any volume. Two niggles: pops loudly when powering off, and had a loose connection inside the amp rendering it inoperable. Once fixed, it's becoming a fav for a quick grab n go that I don't worry about too much. Has me searching for a used USA 100 watter.
How did you stop the pop?
What would the sound like with single coil pickups guitars?
Indonesia worker paid 5 time less than an US one, product costs 1,5* less only.
Bravo mr Reed Smith, once again you showed who you are.
I used to live right near PRS and have looked at the job listings many many times; they pay the workers garbage. I met someone who had painted guitars for them for like 8 years and made like $18 an hour.
yes el34 is a direct replacement for 6ca7
IF we're to assume the identical circuit, I'm sure the differences are largely construction/material related, mostly the wood and such. Nice vid though boys, great comparison.
is that a dedicated PRS room?!
I love my 100w head.
Tom loves his too, great amps!
I was like when are you changing the amp? Didn’t even realized it changed only when I read it but couldn’t hear the difference
It's pretty impressive honestly! There are some minor differences but overall not too different sounding.
sounds like if you just maybe turn the presence up on the new model they'd be identical
Yes they are very similar to be honest, so cool to see these at a much better price point!
Tubes are mix between the 6l6 and el34
Depth knob ?
I also think it sounds a tiny bit darker than the original. It's like the highs or high-mids are centered at a bit lower frequency. Still sounds great though!
When do these come out
They were announced yesterday and should be arriving very soon!
USA is a little deeper sounding to me. Not by much though.