While it's difficult to label any Rivera amplifier as "entry level" even their most basic amplifiers have the same high quality materials and attention to detail as their big brothers. For example, all Rivera amplifiers use military-grade double sided circuit boards to withstand the rigors of the road. Even the little details are impressive such as mounting the chassis with six machine screws instead of four, and instead of wood screws to secure back panels on the cabinets, Rivera uses machine screws and threaded inserts. These amps are made to last and there is just nothing throw-away about them.
Solidly built and weighing 38 pounds, the Doce 25 offers a basic two channel clean/lead format with the addition of a pull bright control on the clean channel and a pull boost control on the lead channel. A global Presence control and real Spring Reverb control round out the front panel. Out back there is an effects loop, line out, and additional speaker output. The Doce is equipped with a Celestion 70/80 speaker mounted to a tilted-back baffle panel for better projection.
Like many "Tube" amps today the Doce 25 is not a 100% tube amp but the natural character of the amp is warm, round, and reasonably full for a compact cabinet. I think many amps are voiced bright with lots of presence to sound impressive at low volumes at the store, but the Doce is voiced to be played. Switching over to the lead channel yields usable grind, but because it is a hybrid tube/transistor circuit they're maybe less organic than the more expensive Riveras. Pulling the boost switch really piles on the gain easily creating endless violin-like sustain. The lead channel on any two channel amplifier is always a matter of taste, which is why God invented The Pedal.
Simply put, the clean channel beats a lot of higher-end stuff out there, the lead channel has its place, and with the included foot switch, effects loop and a couple of your favorite pedals there isn't much you can't do. Other thoughts? Different speakers can make a world of difference and there are tons to choose from. And with the money you're not spending on the amp you can do some experimentation
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