Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

SirJackdeFuzz

SirJackdeFuzz

New member
Dear knights of the Sound Table . . .


. . . according to you, what is the Vox Valvetronix series ragarded as ?



Valve amp ?

...or...

Solid State w. a single 12AX7 to reproduce valve-overdrive ?


All comments verywelcome

;)
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

You know the saying if you're one part so and so you're all so and so...

It's solid state with a tube. I tried all the 30-50 watt modeling/solid state amps at guitar center (line6, crate, marshall, etc) and this was the only one I didn't hear a processed sound from. I wish I could get a little more bite and chug out of it for some heavier stuff but it wasn't really made for that.

Downside is that not all of the models are very useful. I find the US high gain too noisy and the UK modern too scooped. The cleans are OK but my single coils suck so I can't blame the amp yet.

I have a Washburn with a tone zone bridge going through a comp-->DS-1-->delay and with the UK 60's amp model tweaked and the DS-1 used more as a boost i get a very nice tone going. It sounds better the louder I play it.
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

The valvetronix is a weirdo, a good one mind you. It's a hybrid, but not in the sense that it's strictly SS power/tube preamp. As I understand it is a tube power amp coupled to the Output transformer which is also tied to a solid state power amp. As you change amp models the circuit is rerouted to mimic the original amp as closely as possible. I know that I don't fully understand it, but I've liked the amps so much that I've had 2 of them(AD60H head and a little AD15VT). I've had more fun with the little 15 watter than any amp I've ever had.
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

They're a modeller in a simple sense just like the others. All the others have a SS power amp in them. Does that make them an SS amp? No, they're also modellers. Vox just took it one step further with their Valve Reactor Technology in the power amp section. That tube in there does make a difference and it does affect the sound.

The AD50VT has been amazing for me. I've been using one since July and haven't had a problem with it, playing almost every weekend at high volumes and just about every day at lower volumes. If my budget would have allowed it I probably would have sprung for the AD60 or AD120 head, but I needed an amp fast and the AD50 beat out everything else I was looking at.
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

I played one that Wattage has/had, and it was really nice sounding. Similar tone to my Tonelab (big surprise). I think his had a 12" speaker and maybe 30w? Really nice amp and the quality of Vox products is good.
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

The 12AX7, is it for the pre-amp, or the power amp, as Jump Marine said ?

So, it is more of a hybrid that an out-an-out valve amp ?

I am asking as a person i know, refered to his AD15 as a tube amp, and when i wanted to help him correct his statement that it is NOT a valve amp, he took it the wrong way, and gopt pissed off - oooopssss !

According to him, it is still a valve amp, regardless of it only having one loney 12AX7.
So i just wanted to double check myfacts otherwise i will fwwl stupid for trying to help him, and in the mean time i am the one that is wrong !

Thanx so far . . .
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

It's not a valve amp. The 12AX7 is in the power amp and is an integral part of the Valve Reactor Technology. The tube runs at full voltage to provide the warmth that a tube amp gives unlike in hybrids where the tube is nothing more than a pretty glow running on starved plate voltage. Go to the Vox Amps site and read up on the Valve Reactor Technology. And tell your friend to read the manual, page 6 to be exact.

Plain and simple, the Valvetronix amps are modelling amps. If they were valve amps, the modelling wouldn't be there. If they were SS amps, the modelling wouldn't be there. Line 6 Spyders don't have the tube in the power amp, does that make them SS amps? No, they are modellers. They just don't have the same power amp technology/features as Vox.
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

Simply put, the Vox Valvetronix is the amp you're going to buy for yourself this weekend.

Oh, and don't get a "little" one...Go for the 100-watt head! :)
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

KGMESSIER said:
Simply put, the Vox Valvetronix is the amp you're going to buy for yourself this weekend.

Oh, and don't get a "little" one...Go for the 100-watt head! :)
Click to expand...

Was hoping to get a wing man in this one...LOL.

The 50 Watt combo is nice too. The 30 Watter has a 10" speaker, the 50 has a 12" Celestion. The 100 Watt head is real nice, especially if you already have a good 2x12 or 4x12 cab to run it through. I opted for the 50 Watt 1x12 combo myself. It's closed-back, sounds HUGE for a 1x12.
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

It is not a tube amp, it contains a tube but it is not a tube amp.

Certainly I'm no tech head but I would say by definition a true tube amp has a tube preamp and a tube power amp. If solid state stuff is in either positon it's probably can be called a hybrid at best, or SS most likely.

Maybe calling it a hybrid will not hurt his feelings as much. :fingersx:
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

I think ErikH, Gearjoneser and I are the biggest supporters of this amp. It continues to perform far beyond my expectations. Like ErikH said in another thread, with one of these cranked on one of the gain settings, you'll never know the difference between it and an all-tube amp.

- Keith

P.S. Top Jimmy is right: It's a hybrid amp.
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

Well, Gearjoneser does have the "blue" series head, not the "silver" series. There's more models, savable presets plus the "blues" have stompbox and cab models as well. The "silvers" are stripped down, more basic but still great amps.



And I still say they're not even hybrid. :fingersx:
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

KGMESSIER said:
Simply put, the Vox Valvetronix is the amp you're going to buy for yourself this weekend.

Oh, and don't get a "little" one...Go for the 100-watt head! :)
Click to expand...


:banana: +100000, these are great amps!
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

If you're just going to be using it at home, I'd suggest getting the ToneLab and a good set nearfield monitors.
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

Mine is the AD15 15w, 1x8".

It has a digital pre-amp with a hybrid power section if I understand correctly.

I think it is a great little amp. I use it for practice at home and recording, works wonderfully for both.

I dropped in a GT 12AX7M and a 1x8 Weber to juice it a bit and it really responded well to the upgrades. It is a PITA to swap that tube out you basically have to disassemble the whole amp but I don't think you'll have to replace it all that often.
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

i have the AD50 as Erik do ,and i am happy too.There is a new version ,the 2x12 one.it sounds really similar ,but has better control ,tighter feel.
They are modellers ,and to make the models better ,they use the tube to give life to the modelled tone!That's all!
But they did it great and i will try ToneLAb LE as soon as possible!
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

KGMESSIER said:
Simply put, the Vox Valvetronix is the amp you're going to buy for yourself this weekend.

Oh, and don't get a "little" one...Go for the 100-watt head! :)
Click to expand...



:laugh2: . . . ermmm no thanx !


My next few amps will be a used $250 Peavey VTM (60W head) :smokin: , an Orange TT, and my long term amp, the allmighty Bassman LTD :bowdown:
 
Re: Little VOX Valvetronix, what is it ?

the 30 watter was ok, but i would recommend something bigger. I sold mine.
 
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