For the Valvetronix fans... DA15 or AD15? How do they take pedals?

[Pierre]

I tried a DA15 today and I was very impressed. These are the models without the valve in. It sounded pretty good. I didn't get to try the AD15 though. Is it that much better?

Also, how do they take pedals? A lot of my sound is on my pedalboard and since these amps are only two channels (possibly three with the footswitch no?)

Thanks!

[JumpMarine]

Re: For the Valvetronix fans... DA15 or AD15? How do they take pedals?

I've been using both my OCD and Barber LTD with my AD15 and it clearly takes to pedals very well. I really like using the JCM 800(UK 80's) with it's gain around 10 o'clock and goose it with the pedals.

[lex666]

Re: For the Valvetronix fans... DA15 or AD15? How do they take pedals?

I havent tried putting effects in front of my ad15vt. I've never had the need. My purpose for the ad15vt was for portability, without having to take any effects or pedals with me. I did buy the 2 button footswitch for it tho. This will allow you to toggle between 2 programs and an effects on/off. Its very useful, I've programmed to 2 sounds, a crunch rthym and a lead sound. I can toggle between those and add and effect at any time.

[JeffB]

Re: For the Valvetronix fans... DA15 or AD15? How do they take pedals?

DA5/15 do not take pedals well (gain pedals anyway, havent tried modulations)

AD15?

Depends on the pedal really.

DS-1 sounded like crap through the AD15 IME (I like this pedal through a regular marshall tube amp however).

Bad Monkey sounds pretty good, so I'd assume a TS or SOD would as well.

here's a clip I did with my AD15 and goosed with the Bad Monkey later on.

link

[JeffB]

Re: For the Valvetronix fans... DA15 or AD15? How do they take pedals?

And to answer your other question...the AD15 is warmer, but less tight and responsive to your picking...not that its bad or sloppy, just the tube causes a bit of "sag" compared to the all digital version.

Some of the models IMO, sound better WITHOUT the tube than with...Soldano,TSL, Bassman, and Plexi in particular. Plenty of DA5 and AD15clips on my page.

[Pierre]

Re: For the Valvetronix fans... DA15 or AD15? How do they take pedals?

So Jeff... with a limited budget but a big pedalboard, the AD15 is probably a better choice than the DA15 then...? I don't use any of the onboard effects and no modulation at all on my pedals.

[Mr. B]

Re: For the Valvetronix fans... DA15 or AD15? How do they take pedals?

I tried a DA15 today and I was very impressed. These are the models without the valve in. It sounded pretty good. I didn't get to try the AD15 though. Is it that much better?
Thanks!

The DA line does not have tubes in them, unless the specs have changed. The AD line does have a 12ax7 tube in them, and sounds much better than the DA series. The only reason I would consider the DA line is if I needed the smallest battery powered version. I think the AD15VT even sounds better than the larger AD30VT. It has a better speaker/cabinet combination.

[Pierre]

Re: For the Valvetronix fans... DA15 or AD15? How do they take pedals?

That's right. No valves in the DA. It still sounded good. Valve or no valves I quite liked. But I'd love to use it as:

Good clean sound to use with pedals or on its own
Heavy metal tone

+ pedalboard

Basically which amp would be most adapted for me, out of the AD or DA 15/30s?

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: For the Valvetronix fans... DA15 or AD15? How do they take pedals?

I had the DA15 for a bit, I thought it was really good for a digital amp.

[Pierre]

Re: For the Valvetronix fans... DA15 or AD15? How do they take pedals?

It is. I had a very natural feel I gotta say. Maybe it was just the first impression, but when a POD 2.0 was just ... not enough for me, for about a year, that just really must have been that good.

[millsart]

Re: For the Valvetronix fans... DA15 or AD15? How do they take pedals?

I hate to say it, but the only amps that really take most pedals well in my experience are true tube amps. Granted some modulation and delay pedals can work fine with some SS amps, but things like overdrives just don't.

Theres just a world of difference using an OD to push a tube amps pre section harder and using it on a solid state modeling amp. Sort of the difference between analog distortion and digital clipping if you will.

So the answer is yes and no. Depends on what pedals your using.

[Pierre]

Re: For the Valvetronix fans... DA15 or AD15? How do they take pedals?

I'd use them all on clean sounds and not to push the pre/power amp harders. Just as another preamp on another preamp basically...?