robroe wrote:what is 1 volt line out mean?
is that like a "warm" pre amp out type a thing?
like you could plug a record player using the tape in and then run a line out the 1 volt thing hot to a set of speakers?
I have no idea - the Tape In allows a signal to be patched in after the tone stack. It looks like it then gets buffered by half of a 12AX7 and then amplified by the 6L6. The line out is an attenuated signal taken after the power transformer - sort of like if you plugged the speaker out of you amp into a Power Brake or THD Hotplate. Except in the Champ the attenuation is just done with a couple resistors, so it probably doesn't sound too great. I think the "1 volt" thing is just the maximum output level. I haven't tried it cause it seems like it would be hard on the OT and generate a lot of heat inside the chassis.
I've got a few impressions after playing with this for the last few hours. First, it sounds exactly like a Champ. I think a lot of the players who've given it bad reviews think that just because it has a 6L6, 12" speaker, and reverb it's like a Deluxe or mini-Twin. It's not - it's a small, punchy, plunky Champ sound. Second, it's extremely clear sounding, especially in the bass. There's no way to hit a low note and get a big, powerful rumble. It sort of reminds me of the way a Dobro sounds - totally twangy. Third, it negates the reason most people buy Champs. There is absolutely no way to get distortion at any sort of reasonable volume unless you use the OD channel, which sounds shitty (although it is broken, so who knows). Finally, it's loud as fuck
for its size. It's not gonna be a late-night practice amp for me.
I'm really warming up to the sound overall. It's a big departure from my normal wide-and-clean 60s tone, more in the early 50s rockabilly camp. Very nice - it'll be interesting to see how it works for the next band practice.
