I could almost give this a 10. It's a very powerful amp- clean when you want it to be; booming, rib rattling lows, warm mids, and bright, edgy highs. You can easily make it sound like a 60's tube amp. I play it through a Bergantino NV215 (2 x 15" and a 6" mid-range). This cabinet is most excellent, and handles 600 watts. This amp pushes air through that cab effortlessly. My guitarist plays a double-stack, 100 watt Marshall (usually uses only one cab, though), and I hold-up the bottom end without breaking a sweat. I recently obtained this amp, and the guys are very happy now... especially our drummer. Now our singer can't say he's banging his drums too hard... the bass is in the building now!

EQ's are simple and sensitive. Valve Drive gives it that tube-amp sound, and it sounds pretty dang real to me. I really like the Sub-Harmonics feature- really sounds great on grundge stuff. I'm getting a 5-string axe pretty soon. Looking forward to hearing the low B through this amp and the 2 x 15" Bergantinos. Another nice touch: this amp has TWO cooling fans, they are very quiet, so I doubt I'll ever have to worry about over-heating issues, especially since it's rack-mounted. Saved the best for last... that way cool Vu Meter!

So far so good. Only the two issues mentioned above brings this a 9 instead of a 10. The rack-mount has a chrome face, which looks great in the rack along with my Korg tuner...

I give it a 10 because, based on similar amps I tried, this one definitely gave me the best value for my buck...

No issues yet...

I love the look... especially the Vu Meter!!! That alone pushed me over the edge. The only other Ashdown head that looks cooler than mine is the Mark King Signature model. It's a stunning red color! Almost went that direction, but I wanted the features of my EVO-II.

Former Active Musician; now pretty much a Hobbyist playing occasional parties and a couple of beer-soaked dives around town.

You name it, I can play it...

listen to this thing!!!! and look how cool it looks on stage with all the lights bouncing off the chrome!!!!!!!

active musician

rock, anything