Author Topic: New amp - Vox Valvetronix AD30VT (Read 8240 times)

Scotty477 · « **on:** February 08, 2008, 04:59:26 PM »

I just got a Vox Valvetronix AD30VT amp.

I've been on the lookout for a new amp for recording recently but had hit a problem with valve amps being to loud for the house. I thought I had cracked it with the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 112 but on looking at it again a few times it just loses too much at low (house) level. I would say that if/when I need to get an amp for live work It'll be a Fender.

I revamped my criteria for an amp purely for recording/practise and looked at non valve amps. I was aware that a few people had been recommending Vox Valvetronix amps.

I did a little online homework on the AD30VT model and apart from a few reliability issues it looked to have what I was after.

So ... to cut a long story short, I've ended up buying one :D

The presets are pretty good and it seems to have the ability to give out a pretty good impression of a valved amp. I've no idea how Vox have done it with only a valved preamp but it compares very favourably (in terms of warmth) with some lower end valved amps that I've tried a lot of recently and in several cases the AD30VT completly outshines them in every respect.

I won't name those amps, in case I offend owners of them on this forum

I've no doubt that a similar powered all valve amp will be able to generate a lot more volume which will improve their tone but that's not what I'm looking for in a small amp.

My Gibson LP with Emeralds sounds magnificent through this amp, when it's using the UK 80's (Marshall), UK Modern( Marshall) and AC30 (Vox) base settings. The UK 80's setting sounds far more like UK 70's to me - which I was after :D

I haven't had much chance to use my Strat through this but what I did hear was excellent - using the Blackface 2x12 (Fender) and US High gain (Mesa) base settings.

The amp has a built in attenuator which really allows the amp to simulate a nice rich, saturated all valve sound at relatively low volumes. When I say simulate I mean a really good simulation.

The onboard effects are alright, if a little limited. That doesn't bother me though, as I was more interested in getting the amp tone I wanted and I'll be getting a few quality stomp boxes shortly. I'll be looking for advice on those in a new thread

I'm delighted with this amp so far and I have to say I'm very surprised at just how good it really is - for the price.

I've read that changing the stock vox speaker can make this amp sound even better. I'd be interested in seeing if anyone here has done this?

gwEm · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2008, 05:04:03 PM »

do a search - someone on here (think it was tonemonkey) put a celestion vintage 10 in.

i tried one in a shop, and i was impressed too, but put off by the digital effects in the end.

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2008, 05:07:47 PM »

Wasn't me, but I do keep banging on about how impressed I was with the amp :D

gwEm · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2008, 05:09:58 PM »

my mistake - it was a different londoner - elliot:

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2197&highlight=g10+vintage

i installed a g10 vintage recently. i respect it as a speaker, but its not entirely my taste (it really is a 10" vintage 30). hopefully the g10 greenback will be available soon...

Scotty477 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2008, 05:17:17 PM »

Quote from: gwEm

do a search - someone on here (think it was tonemonkey) put a celestion vintage 10 in.

i tried one in a shop, and i was impressed too, but put off by the digital effects in the end.

It was the basic sound of the amp I was after. When I try an amp or guitar in a store I have it on dry/no effects setting initially and maybe a little reverb/delay later.

I wasn't bothered by the digital effects to be honest on the AD30VT. No amp is going to have onboard digital effects that sound good. They're passable on this but I'll be getting reverb and delay units anyway.

Gizmo · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2008, 05:26:53 PM »

can you plug the VOX into an external cab? i know with the fender champ xd's you can and they recommended it in the mag. great sound by itself but improved further by bigger speakers + cab!

gwEm · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2008, 05:32:53 PM »

i looked into this, and you can't use an external cab with the 30watt version :( - would be easy enough to add though.

machinehead: you are right, and i know it... i'm just a bit funny about putting my guitar through digital stuff - totally irrationally i know.

Scotty477 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2008, 05:33:39 PM »

Quote from: Gizmo

can you plug the VOX into an external cab? i know with the fender champ xd's you can and they recommended it in the mag. great sound by itself but improved further by bigger speakers + cab!

You can't on the AD30VT but you can on the AD50VT.

I think that's an oversight by Vox. I wasn't looking to use an external cab but many people will i think.

kellar · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2008, 06:44:51 PM »

Yes, it is quite a nice little amp. I have played it several times and was also quite convinced by the warm, tubelike simulation. Very convincing and a nice clean tone. The on-board effects aren't great but who buys an amp for effects? I also agree that it gives the majority of the low output valves on the market a run for their money.

Elliot · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2008, 07:01:14 PM »

Its easy to do a external out mod for the AD30VT - and it sounds much better through a 2x12 :D

Adam.M · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2008, 07:22:40 PM »

Yep, i've done it with the AD15VT, which was still utter rubbish through a 2x12.

Just need a wire with phono on one side, + and - speaker connections on the other.

JDC · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2008, 11:20:52 PM »

what's this thing like for all out metal, looks very impressive for the price, only thing I'd add to it would be a 3rd channel option, and it's closed back, makes a change!!!

Jonny · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2008, 11:23:41 PM »

Quote from: JDC

what's this thing like for all out metal, looks very impressive for the price, only thing I'd add to it would be a 3rd channel option, and it's closed back, makes a change!!!

I use it for Metal, it's decent enough. I wouldn't go for a different amp if I could swap (unless we're talking about Cornford or something)

hamfist · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2008, 08:58:40 AM »

Quote from: Machinehead

I've no idea how Vox have done it with only a valved preamp

Just for accuracy - all the Vox valvetronix and tonelab equipment still has a completely digitally modelled pre-amp. No valve involved at all.
The single 12ax7 valve included is used in their "valve reactor technology" bit, which is supposed to simulate power amp distortion. It is run at low voltage, not like a tube in a "real" amp.
FWIW, of all the mainstream modelling gear I do prefer the Vox stuff. At low volume it does the job.

Although PLEASE get out of your head that it has a tube pre-amp, or tube power amp, because it doesn't.
It also doesn't have an attenuator. It just has different wattage levels in its SS power amp that you can use.
An attenuator is used to be able to drive a tube (or tubes) harder. the AD30 definately does not do this. in fact it's single 12ax7 is driven so gently it will probably last a hundred years.

Ted · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2008, 10:49:25 AM »

I thought these were all solid state, with a token valve in the preamp.