After a lot of hesitation, I sprung for a Hartke TX300 I found locally on CL for $200. I'd read a lot about it not having a lot of power, but, since I always have PA support, figured it would be enough to drive my 8 ohm Avatar SB112 stage monitor. I was right. Played it two nights in a row at a good-sized open-air Florida Tiki bar with a ten-piece oldies/horn band. The thing is very loud. I was never wanting for power at any time. I'm accustomed to the tone-stack system from my old LH500, and I set the tone controls all on 3:00 o'clock, gain on 4, and master at about the same. I didn't use compression, but turned the shape dial up to abut 11:00. Very strong lows, and an output similar to my Peavey Minimax. Cleaner than the Minimax, better mids, and round but clear, almost bell-like highs. Played a Yamaha TRBX504 all night, switching to an Epiphone Viola in the third set (hey, I'm old!); the Viola sounded very throaty and deep. I engaged the pad on the Radial Pro DI, as our last set is quieter, and I have to say I was impressed. Time will tell, but the first time out was everything I could have asked for. Hopefully, this review will rove useful to others with similar needs.
