Alesis RA150 Power Amp

Feature:
As far as features, it is servo so it has good DC shortage protection...but most modern amps seem to have that. It does have a relay circuit to prevent speaker thumps and that's good. However, it could use some better signal leds, and maybe a little more click on the output detents...also more input and output options. But for what it is? Can't complain much.

Quality:
For studio use, you don't really need anything beefier. If you were going to be taking it on the road, I'd worry just a little about the plastic knobs and the plastic front. But if it was in a rack, it wouldn't be a big deal. Plus, knobs are replacable with an aftermarket knob. As for overall workhorse reliability, I kept it in the garage for about a year with wooddust floating around it and even got some wood shavings inside the casing...after spraying out the knobs with some CAIG deoxit (which was really easy to do because of their design) I plugged it in and it worked PERFECTLY. No scratchiness, no hiccup, no odd smells, no general weirdness. The wiring in them does seem to be first rate.

Value:
It's hard to go wrong for the price. I can't imagine wanting to buy a more expensive power amp unless you just wanted the image and status of owning a more expensive product.

Desirability:
Comeon, who's going to lust after a power amp right? Really though, the non-fan heatsink is great. Also, the blue power light on the front is really hypnotizing. Alesis figured out the hidden secret of electronics; soft blue lights are always more enthralling than bright red or green. It's oddly reassuring, and really draws the eye. So for a basic poweramp, I'd say it has some sex appeal.

Sound:
For what it is, I don't see how they could possibly make it sound better. It sounds as good as vintage BGW power amps, or newer power amps that I have tried on my Paradigm Atoms. Seems to really let the speakers do their thing. Good reference sound.

Ease of Use:
If you can't get this to work right, you a) Shouldn't be operating a studio at all, b) Haven't read their manual at all, c) Probably don't even know what a power amp is, or why you need one, d) all of the above? Seriously, it doesn't get any easier.

Support:
Can't say anything to this. But I've always heard good things about Alesis's service.

Overall:
I might test it next to some vintage poweramps just out of curiosity but I don't think I'll need to "upgrade" from this. It does what it does very well. If it broke, I might look around and see what products were on the market to replace it...but I imagine that when that happens Alesis will indeed have a new product line, as will everyone else. I just can't see this power amp giving up the ghost. I plan on using it to record and mix, and review other products at www.microphoneheaven.com for as long as it continues to work.

Feature:
The only thing that I don't like is that it has banana outs, I'm not a fan of banana cables but it doesn't seem to do anything noticeably to the sound.

Quality:
Good sound, but I have had to have it repaired once.

Value:
To elaborate on my above comments, one day the amp just wouldn't turn on. I had to send it in through the company I work at because we're a dealer, and it cost me about $80 which I thought was a little much.

Desirability:
It's a cool amp for home studios, but if you can just spend a little extra money and get some active monitors, you'd be saving money in the long run.

Sound:
For the price I think it provides a great sound. I haven't experienced any noise or anything and I've had this for 2 years.

Ease of Use:
Can't really get any easier

Support:
The price to fix this was about half of what I paid.

Overall:
Decent amp for a great price.