Next best SS alternative to a Matrix GT1000FX?

LCW

LCW

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Recently got an FM9 and also picked up a Matrix GT1000FX 2U for a smoking deal. Works great, sounds great, drives a guitar cab wonderfully.

But - considering it’s probably about 10 yrs old and the company is basically done, what would be a good SS alternative to this? In the event this thing craps out. Any other rack SS power amps that come close but are still supported?

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I researched this a bit a while ago and copied this quote from somewhere on one of these forums. I think it is from Cliff:

"There are plenty of good solid-state power amps but they aren't cheap. The QSC GX are very good. Crown are probably good but not sure about latency."

I own the matrix 1000 and 1600, sounds awesome with my fm9 into a Marshall 412. Haven't tested QSC, but been through a lot of the class d devices on the market, and they sound and feel shit in comparison.
 
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Also, I have the Orange Tour Baby amp, which has a class ab power amp, based on the Pedal Baby. Using my fm9 in the fx return of that one sounds great, and I like it better than the Pedal Baby for some reason.
 
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I have a SD Powerstage 200 I use for emergency backup only - it fits in my cable bag and weighs nothing. Last summer I had an issue with my LXII and had to use the SD for a set, and after adjusting the EQ, I was surprised how well it worked into a 4x12. Would I use it as my go-to power amp? No. But it worked very well as a light and relatively inexpensive backup. The Powerstage 700 can be rack mounted FWIW.
 
SD Powerstage, any of them, they are excellent as a backup / main amp.
Matrix VERY unfortunately are no longer in the business but their product seams to last for many years, I had a GT1000FX for long time, it’s so so sooooo reliable, I used to gig it with no backup, for years.
Shame they are not present any more.
 
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Also; don’t sleep on the Bluguitar Amp1 as a Power amp if you intend to use the AxeFx with a real cab. Generally don’t prefer Class D power amps ( some like them), but the Amp1 does some tricks with the micro-tube in the power amp section. It has great headroom, is small and light weight and sounds good.
 
I use my Matrix still for 70% of gigs. I own a Fryette LXII also, which is a great amp too, and that does the other 30% of gigs. The Matrix is still my go-to generally and it's been solid & reliable since 2012 !
 
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I really like my ART SLA-1. Class AB & 100W per channel (130W at 4 ohms).

I’ve had it for decades with no issues, and it’s still in production.

I use it with two Mesa vertical 2x12’s loaded with 8-ohm Celestion F12M-150s. Sounds and feels great and I can still use power amp modeling and cab IRs.

Before using it with my AXEFXIII it was my wet amp for a W/D/W tube amp setup.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SLA1--art-sla-1-100-watt-power-amplifier
 
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