Great comparison. So cool to see these monster amps coming out with more direct recording features in the last few years. Somebody get this man a VHX to put through its paces.

According to Mike Soldano himself, it’s the exact same preamp section, same components, resistors, capacitors, diodes, etc. The only difference is in the power amp section. Those are different transformers and power tubes. (Not to mention the IR capability and loadbox built in on the Astro)

@levanchikvaidze3519

4 ай бұрын

Worst thing about Astro is that it has no load box inside. IR output is a signal from preamp routed straight to synergy module. Synergy module applies an IR and a power amp simulation (shitty one btw)

Man your jokes are the best!! Really enjoying your content

Listening to this again. I just love the sound of the mids in the SLO30. To my ears there is magic there that is missing from the Astro. But I'm more of an 80s hard rock guy vs metal so I guess I am listening for something different.

Keep the Bloopers for the Videos, that was entertaining Haha. Excellent comparison again Jarrod. This really helps us all make those decisions. I've had/played both the Astro Wins for me personally , more versatility especially for the 1k difference, the Depth switch makes a big difference also.

SLO 30 sounds fuller and thicker in this comparison. I wish the would’ve gone with a 5881 Astro over the 6V6’s. The 5881’s, no matter the 30 vs 20 watts comparison, will always be more robust and have a deeper bottom than 6V6’s.

Motor City Guitar! What a fantastic shop. Used to live by it, best pedal store in the country by far.

While I may not always agree with your conclusions and a lot of this is very subjective in terns of one's own preferences, there is no question that your videos are very thorough and transparent. You also have the experience, resources, and skill level to back you up... so I enjoy your videos tremendously and think you bring credibility to your channel. Thanks for this comparison these are two amps I am seriously considering.

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much. I put a lot into this channel and its nice to know that it's appreciated.

Thanks for doing a back to back. From the other reviews I saw, I was getting the impression that the Astro was voiced softer….. kinda like a Mark or Rectoverb Vs a Recto. But your comparison makes it seem the opposite, like the Astro has a little extra gain if you want it.

Someone from soldano jumped on my previous comment about "origin of manufacture". They wanted to make sure we know it is made in the USA. Nice of them to clarify that for us. So that helps to justify the price a bit. I think the Astro is a really good amp to record with. It would also be a great amp to practice with, although there are certainly much cheaper options for that.

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

I'm glad they watched the video and commented.

Two great amps - you can't go wrong either way, if you search for some interviews with Mike, he will tell you he has been wanting to improve or tweak a few things for years - the sale of his company now allows him to do that. I have the 30 and use it with the Universal Audio OX Reactive Amp Attenuator - all you ever need to record and sound great!

Soldano Astro 20 too me sounds the best! Its more open and it just has that sweet tone and the thing about it you are in drop tunning. So the point i'm making is for drop tunning i really like that tone! And it's so clear and its cut's in the mix very well. And i bet in std tunning its great as well.

Great ! I have a nice deal on a SLO 30 right now but needed to compare with the Astro 20 before I decide.

SLO-30 sounds better than the Astro. Maybe in the room playing, the Astro might respond better, but as far as pure sound, the 30 easily wins. 30 has the bottom. 20 just seems a little thinner, weaker. The pedals seem to cause a loss of lows - much more so on the 30, less so in the 20.

I was surprised just how good the astro sounds. Also, how much both of them are in a similar ballpark sound wise. For the price I certainly would grab the astro over a SLO. Just on price it is such a better deal, let alone the great recording and switching options makes it a no-brainer. Thanks for comparing these amps.

Thanks for doing this comparison. I've been debating these 2 amps for a little while now, and im leaning towards the Astro. This will go well beside my Mark 5:25. You are also right about the tightness of the Astro.

This was a great comparison! Wearing headphones, I think the clean is a bit more present on the SLO, but that Astro is definitely more present boosted and unboosted. I would definitely go with the Astro, unless there isn’t enough headroom to boost out of the front.

Jarrod, good video comparing the two amps. Do you think the astro sounds as big as the slo30?

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Thank you. glad you liked the video. I think it definitely sounds the same but tighter

Great video. In your opinion is either of these amps loud enough to play live with a band without being miked?

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, I'm glad you liked the video. In theory, they should be loud enough. that said, I haven't tested that theory out but I keep hearing that these amps should be loud enough. I hope this helps. sorry I didn't have a definitive, tested answer for you.

I like the flub myself lol but the riff around 12:37 made them really close as you stated so I would probably get the Astro just because of that. Lol

The Slo has more body, the Astro is tighter but has some sizzle that I am on the fence about. Btw, excellent demo and playing.

Very good comparison! Help me to decide for one of this two little monster amps. Thanx a lot ! Great job.👍

Very good review. Honestly though you really didn't address the difference in the wattage between the two. Is there a significant amount more power and volume with the SLO 30? Clean headroom? That would help people make their decision as well.

Great episode! I think the Astro is pretty killer....wonder if they will make a 50 or 100

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Thank you Todd. I hope they come up with a 100 W version. that would be awesome

Hello! Thaks to the comparison. As to my mind the SLO 30 sounds rather better than the astro. SLO 30 has more warm and well balanced tone.

I love boost Karen jabs...keep em comn. I drive a Rav-4 hybrid but love beer, boost and Browning rifles. Let's Go!!!

I loved this comparison! The Astro seems to be the newest monster amp! I have a random question that I was wondering if you could answer on the next R & R or live stream...can you play the Tonex through the Astro clean channel? From what I understand, the Tonex really just requires a clean slate to play through. Since I plan on getting the Astro and selling my Seymour Duncan Powerstage 200 Im curious if my Tonex will still sound killer through the Astro. Hopefully you see this comment in time!

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Hey Tyler, thanks for commenting. I will be happy to answer that question for you on the next R and R video.

Thank you for this comparison. If you limit yourself to recording, the difference between those two amps is quite small (at least in the mix). However, if you listen to both amps via a cab, I find the difference in sound to be huge. On a 2x12 or 2x12 cab, the Astro can never(!) hold a candle to the SLO-30…

Dude I'm all about boost pedals or whatever but PRIUS's ! Now you've crossed the line! I had a rental Prius back in the day and the thing had like 55 Horses! 55 ! Defintely didn't need a boost I can't be driving no 55 in my prius! Ahem Skooter Skit idea for the new years!?? Awesome Video Jarrod. 🤟

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Haha thanks for commenting 😄.

@satchrules101

5 ай бұрын

@@TONEWARSgearshow Hey bro if u had to choose between the astro or fire ball eng 30 watt head ?

I’m up for one of these ASTROS - but 20w is the deal killer for me for my uses - a 50w or 100w in a small box would be a perfect all round tool - hafta wait and see

I prefer to play classic metal/rock and blues dad riffs, and for that job i think the SLO wins but to each their own

@edwardboe4762

3 ай бұрын

Agreed. Its all subjective but to me the SLO 30 nails the late 80s Lynch and Demartini tones that I love. "Tighter" to me sounds like more compressed, so I think the Astro is better for more modern players. The SLO for us old school players.

Wonder how the Astro compares against the Soldano Synergy module?

Both amps kick ass

The astro is the clear winner! Such a killer amp. They really priced it perfectly for how much you get. Easily the best amp in that price range ny light-years! I just got the Jel20 and it rips, but this is my next amp for sure!

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for commenting. I really wanted to shoot those 2 out but I didn't have the amp here long enough to do that

Despite the possibility of being biased, I totally agree with you in everything. Soundwise the differences are subtile but present. Later on where you experienced them sounding closer, the difference to me was actually even more audible. As if the astro wouldn't ask for a boost as badly as the slo

Hey Jarrod, as usual great vid I had the Soldano slo 100 snakeskin after years of reading it was the best ever and watching countless vids on it, I hated the amp not my thing traded it for a Diezel Hagan super happy with my choice. Just thought I would share that.

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for commenting! I'm glad you found the perfect amp that works for you. that's what it's all about

I liked the Astro better from your demo and for the price difference, you could get the Astro and a Mesa 2x12 cab to go with it. Great review as always!

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much. the Astro is just such a great deal when you compare it to the SLO amps. I'm just shocked that they are pricing it this way. I think the Astro is going to cannibalize the rest of their line. we'll see…

I love all the features of the Soldano Astro 20. I definitely would pick that one. It checks all the boxes for me. I would just use my Two Notes Torpedo Captor 8. I send the di out to my stereo section of my pedal board. I feed the stereo outs into a stereo pair of Two Notes Torpedo Cab M plus IR boxes. Driving a MosValve and 1x12 cabs. The PA gets the IRs. My understanding about when you unplug the speaker jack, the Astro disengages the power section? Great job comparing those two Soldano heads. I use Ernie Ball Musicman JP7 strings. I have a couple of them.

@TONEWARSgearshow

3 ай бұрын

Thank you.

As having owned both the SLO30 and now the Astro 20, I wholeheartedly agree that the Astro is the winner. I loved my SLO, but the Astro has more to bring to the table.

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for commenting. Congratulations on the astro, I feel the same way. I think it sounds a bit better and has way more to offer

Revv has similar features as the astro,the astro sounds great! But there is something special about the purple channel on the revv.but the astro still sounds great.

I think that Soldano amp sounds better 😀

I always appreciate your honesty in your videos. But after all this time I finally disagree with your opinion. Usually we have same taste. But hey its an opinion. We all like what we like. I prefer the sounds of the SLO over the astro in every demonstration. I think what you are calling that extra grit is what I do not like about the Astro. I feel it has a fizzyness to the chugs that I just do not like. I thinks it because I was raised on that SLO sound that I just expect it. Sorry to disagree but for me its SLO all the way. Have a great New Year Jarrod. Talk to you soon.

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for commenting. that's why I do these videos, so people can figure out what works best for them. there's no right or wrong answers. I'm glad this video gave you a comparison and clarity on which one you preferred. Cheers!!

Another big difference between the SLO-30 and Astro 20 is that the SLO has a limited lifetime warranty while the Astro has five years. Whether that difference is worth $900 is your call. Also I believe I heard on another video that when you run it without a cab, the entire power amp section is disabled so you don't necessarily have to turn the master down. Having said that, I'd prefer to hear that directly from Mike or someone at B.A.D. rather than send a $2K amp's transformer to rock 'n' roll heaven. I've got to get down to Motor City soon. Edit: I may be wrong. The manual does say to set the master to zero if you want to run it without a cabinet.

An graphic eq in the effects loop of the SLO and a boost in front really makes a huge difference.

@TheCyberMantis

5 ай бұрын

That literally makes a big difference with all amps. And also trying different speaker cabs.

There’s def a difference lol even just on the cleans. The articulation between notes and the way it responds to the picking let alone the metal or metallic sound that high and amps give off. But it doesn’t NOT sound like a Soldano just a less boutique version at a much lower price point. Still cool as hell.

I find I like slo100 more with the effects loop on and at max.

Lmao I love the bloopers at the beginning

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Sometimes I don't understand why I can't just say simple things LOL The struggle is real. Maybe I should warm up like Ron Burgundy and it would help?

I will never be able to play /afford either. If I could, I would grab the astro

More definition in astro 20 i prefer it over the slo 30 cleans are same i think,i will get the astro 👌has everything i need when i play live wirh real cab

The slo has more mids,and the slo was designed for that. Mike Soldano has said that slo is designed to cut through the mix of the band frequencies. I have to say I have had the Soldano hot rod 50 and I preferred it to the slo. But only after I had the depth mod added. I gotta say that I am digging the ASTRO. Its funny how people are finally getting it that you don't need 50 or a 100 watts to be loud. In all honesty an amps not sounding good till you turn it up past 6.

Is the Astro loud enough for a metal band with a heavy hitting drummer?

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

In theory, maybe. if you have any other 20 W amps around to test that theory out before buying one, I would suggest doing that.

Lol😂 talking is not my strong point😂 good video as always

I own SLO 30 owned SLO 100 and X88R, if you’re into the thick Soldano tone, check out a Peavey Ultra Plus, I shit you not it’s even thicker. Put a RCA blackpoate in V1 and V2 to tame the gain. I like it more than my SLO 30

Don't unchain the soldano.

I run the depth at 2 max on my SLO100, otherwise it adds too much bass on the power amp.

Now do Astro vs JEL 20!

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

I wish I had the amplifier long enough to do that episode. that would be awesome

I hope they make an Astro 100 eventually

@jhonpasquez6145

5 ай бұрын

Sure at 5 grand it's coming soon.

@planetcaravan93

5 ай бұрын

@@jhonpasquez6145 that doesn’t make sense though since the SLO 100 is $4k. I figure it would be $2999 or so. Lot of money still but I mean. It’s a Soldano.

@jhonpasquez6145

5 ай бұрын

@@planetcaravan93 you'll have to wait and see how much the bill will be when 100 watts becomes available to you.👍

I’m with Fluff preferring a more flubby amp like a rectifier making it a more versatile amp and friendly amp towards overdrives to do the tightening up.

@HVACRTECH-83

5 ай бұрын

Lol fluff smfh

@Dobis86

5 ай бұрын

​@@HVACRTECH-83whats wrong with fluff? The man has done some great gear reviews

@HVACRTECH-83

5 ай бұрын

@Dobis86 no comment on that but all that matters is if you like his channel or not. Not everyone likes every content provider. I like this channel. Others may not. It's all good

Cool comparison. Thanks. The SLO is more 'saggy' and 'fat' while the Astro is tighter, somewhat closer to a 5150 from what I can hear (but sounds better that the 5150 in my opinion).

@justsomerandomguyman

2 ай бұрын

The original 5150 isn't very tight without a boost. A lot less tight than the EVH 5150 III versions.

Marty up at Motor City is the man! Tell him Cleveland rocks...but it ain't got MCG!!!

@JohnPatrick-mylifecademy

5 ай бұрын

Im going to sub for you and Marty!

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Thank you!! Marty is good people for sure.

@JohnPatrick-mylifecademy

5 ай бұрын

@@TONEWARSgearshow I first dropped into MCG after my stint in the Marines in NC. They were housed up in a strip by the old Kmart next to a record store. Bought my ESP from him and still visit when I am up there! Real good guy.

I‘ll stick with my Mezzabarba Skill 30. Upgraded with full Midi and 2 gain modes on each channel. A comparision of the Astroverb and the Engl Ironball SE would be nice 👍🏻

Astro👍🏻🎸😎

Astro or Stealth 50w?

@TheCyberMantis

5 ай бұрын

What will you be doing with it? Also look at the new Victory Kraken VX Mk-II.

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

That's a tough one. I think you couldn't go wrong either way

@MotoRiff77

5 ай бұрын

@@TONEWARSgearshow thanks for the reply that JEL is pretty tasty too

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

@@MotoRiff77 My pleasure. all of these amps sound amazing. it's hard to choose

Asstro

Modern Hetfield fears Petrucci riffs

SLO 30 has more CHUG! CHUG!CHUG! Astro sounds close, but no cigar…SLO 30 all day peeps!

Not sure what everyone is talkn about… the SLO is tighter then the anus if you know how to dial it in. Try setting the presence to 9 o clock and the depth to 3 o clock. Slam it with a dirty tree cranked and it’ll blow your mind!

Is the astro hand wired aswell? I bet all the people with a slo 30 have to try and justify paying for it. The astro sounds better. But only if it's handwired. Not me being a snob, just preference after trying to repair pcb in the past being difficult.

@TheCyberMantis

5 ай бұрын

It is always nice to see inside these things, but most reviewers can't open them up. Especially if they are on-loan from a music store. Most all amps have some PCB's inside them, which is fine. It just depends on how everything is designed, and the quality of all the components. Some parts can be hand-wired, but not everything is hand-wired.

@marcopanza1011

3 ай бұрын

The SLO 30 & 100 are PCB design but components are alla hand mounted and not machine mounted…also alla the work and wiring is by hand…handwired does not mean point-to-point….also most of the today so called point to point amps are not, in reality they are turret mounted PCB amps…the real point to point amps have alla the components wired on air without any board…think about old Matchless or VOX amps….today ‘point to point’ is all marketing

Astro wins.

it sounds great but its 2 grand 😅😅

As a Prius driving “boost Karen” I’m going to get a double soy low fat non dairy French vanilla latte with two ice cubes and one pack of organic imported sugar served kid temperature and think deep thoughts about why anyone would ever use an overdrive pedal while I listen to John Mayer and cry.

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Ha ha that sounds like a really fun day LOL. enjoy!

@Marcus.81

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for all your awesome content and hard work. Wishing you the best in the new year and stoked to see what you put together in ‘24.

SLO has more harmonic content and dynamics. Astro sounded choked. Cannot agree with his opinion. As well, why not do true side-by-side comparison - track once through both, and then A/B for video? Additionaly; per Soldano, when the amp sees no physical speaker load, it automatically switches off the outputs, negating the need to turn the master down.

The Boost Karens. LOL

Monoprice lol

@TONEWARSgearshow

5 ай бұрын

Good question. the astro definitely has more features.... I wish I had a stealth 50 W here I could shoot it out with.

@TheCyberMantis

5 ай бұрын

@@TONEWARSgearshow I like the sound of the Astro and the Stealth 50. Both sound great. The Astro is most likely a higher quality product. Price reflects that. Stealth is made in Mexico. I have heard lots of stories of problems with those EVH amps. Some can be attributed to user abuse. Other issues may be poor QC. The SonicDriveStudio guy had to send two of them back, because they had problems. They were brand new, not used ones.

SLO is better. Astro is to boxy, less open...

@zepa0840

4 ай бұрын

I was thinking the exact same thing. The astro sounded more like it was in a box, and had less mid presence.

Anyone that calls an SLO a “slow” doesn’t know wtf they’re talking about.

Nope. lol

There are people out there that are so convinced of the SLO myth that they will always say the “SLO kills it” without even listening lmao it’s a decent amp, but very overhyped and funny how basically no one notable uses them in any consistency. It’s a bunch of bedroom guitarist.

@ShredFlintsTone-lc9tn

5 ай бұрын

The modded SLO 100 on Rezamatix’s channel (video is titled SLO 100 for metal or something like that) is the best sounding metal amp I’ve ever heard over YT.

@brandonbryson3317

5 ай бұрын

@@ShredFlintsTone-lc9tn no clue what mods his has, but a stock SLO didn’t do it for me at all. My friend bought one to take on tour and sent it back. His exact words were, “this is some flubby, fuzzy bullshit.” And I had to agree for the most part…just sounded overly round and loose and not very aggressive. I thought it had its strengths, but for the price, I can find many amps under 2k that do what I want I a lot better. Without a boost it was damn near unuseable for any modern or extreme metal. Decent for like a looser hard rock sound.

@ShredFlintsTone-lc9tn

5 ай бұрын

@@brandonbryson3317 You gotta hear that Rezamatix modded SLO. But, he sold it. I think it sounds killer.

@Dobis86

5 ай бұрын

You're right about nobody using them consistently. Soldanos are the most overrated expensive amplifiers ever built.

@Dobis86

5 ай бұрын

​@ShredFlintsTone-lc9tn geez I wonder why he sold it.

that astro makes me wanna sell everything.