PRS HDRX20 vs PRS Archon Classic

[Idrawshapes]

Hey everyone, I recently sold my DSL40CR as I wasn't happy with the tones I was getting. For an amp with 4 voicings, I found myself mostly happy using the clean channel with pedals for drive.

That being said I'm looking for a new amp to replace it and I'm having a tough time debating between the HDRX20 and Archon Classic.

My use case right now is gigging. Currently in a band playing mostly Spanish rock like Soda Stereo, some 80s rock like Duran Duran, Simple Minds, Tears for Fears, and an occasional heavy hitter song like Zombie by Cranberries and Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm (but these aren't the norm).

I think the Archon Classic is a bit more versatile but I love the form factor of the HDRX20 (I have a 1x12 cab) and it's simplicity. I think both amps sound great on demos, but unfortunately I don't have anywhere in Puerto Rico I could try both. I might be leaning towards the hdrx20 but I'm not sure if I'll miss an fx loop, though I could remedy it down the line with a Boss TAE Core.

Has anyone here had any experience with either one or both? Any preference or recommendations?

 

[Frodebro]

I have an HDRX20 with the matching 1x12. It’s basically a baby Plexi, and it is a very loud amp. In a covers situation you will definitely need to run some pedals and keep the gain on the cleanish side.

 

[Idrawshapes]

I have an HDRX20 with the matching 1x12. It’s basically a baby Plexi, and it is a very loud amp. In a covers situation you will definitely need to run some pedals and keep the gain on the cleanish side.

How much headroom would you say it has before breaking up?

 

[DrewJD82]

I've heard a lot of great things about the HDRX head and it was on my list of amps to try until I got my current main amp.

Do you enjoy the clean pedal platform and using pedals for your dirt? Not sure if you were doing it for tonal reasons or just preference, but if it's a preference I'd likely go with the HDRX as that's a pretty damn enjoyable platform to build off of. I'd have to imagine it's close enough to a Plexi circuit, anyway.

Then again, I just checked out some Archon Classic vids, I didn't know there was a non-high gain version. That's a pretty damn good sounding amp! And it sounds like that clean channel would still work as a pedal platform just as well. After hearing these clips I'd suggest the Archon. I'd like to check one of these out now!

 

[Idrawshapes]

I did enjoy using pedals for mid gain type of songs and would switch to a higher gain voicing for heavier songs on the DSL40. I just wasn't happy with the higher gain voicing. The Archon Classic sounds more of what I'd like in hi gain, I guess if I could have similar cleans or edge of breakup to the hdrx, it would be a great choice.

 

[MatrixClaw]

The HDRX is a great amp but for a cover band, the Classic is way more versatile and requires a less complex setup to make it work for multiple genres.

 

[Frodebro]

How much headroom would you say it has before breaking up?

Honestly, I think there is a good possibility that they call it a 20 watt amp only for marketing purposes in order to not poach sales from the HDRX 50. Even clean, it can get plenty loud. Push it hard and it gets painfully loud.

 

[Idrawshapes]

I think if I can get good clean or edge of break up tones on the clean channel of the Archon Classic, I can get the best of both worlds. That might be the way to go.