Vox AC30VR Valve Reactor?

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:14 am

looks like an ac30 has the same features as an ac30.
but the price is so low, what's the catch shortscale?

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:17 am

it's only got one valve.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:19 am

ok so... correct me if i'm wrong.
this will cause the amp to break up quicker? or what?
because for that price something must be up.

blankfield · Post by **blankfield** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:19 am

From the product manual:

It basically works by having each half of the 12AX7 (the
12AX7 tube is actually two identical tubes in one glass tube
a.k.a. dual triode) and configuring it to work as a small tube
power amplifier. This circuit provides all the tonality and feel of
an all-tube power amp. Obviously this â€œsmallâ€� power amp
would not be very loud if it was connected directly to a loudspeakerâ€”
therefore the tube circuit is connected to a larger,
completely transparent solid-state power amplifier, that is run
very cleanly so that it does not add its own colouration to the
tube signal.
This power output amplifier also has some special circuits that
feed the loudspeaker impedance information back to the tube
power amplifier in order to give it the loose sound & feel that
an all-tube amp does.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:29 am

Interesting.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:03 am

they're basically what they should've done with the cambridge 30 twin reverbs.

they're fucking nice, and cheap. i played with one for a half hour or so at a brand new boutique 'round here, and i loved it.

MISSINGNO. · Post by **MISSINGNO.** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:49 am

I've been looking at the AC15 of these and it seems to sound pretty decent as far as the clips I've heard.

Will · Post by **Will** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:00 am

It is a very well designed system. The main limiting factors are that triodes sound different than pentodes and the preamp. I would be interested in seeing what they could accomplish with a tube in the preamp as well. It seems like they could get really, really close to an AC15-ish sound.

There are also a fair number of duel-pentode tube. The power output is greater, but they'd probably give a closer imitation.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:12 am

ac15's i don't think i'd opt for the vr, because a used korean ac15 is like $500, and new the VR's are like $400. i'd rather have the all tubed for not much more.

the ac30vr, however, is an extremely close replica for like half the price. now that i think about it, like half the weight too.

MISSINGNO. · Post by **MISSINGNO.** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:25 am

hotrodperlmutter wrote:ac15's i don't think i'd opt for the vr, because a used korean ac15 is like $500, and new the VR's are like $400. i'd rather have the all tubed for not much more.

the ac30vr, however, is an extremely close replica for like half the price. now that i think about it, like half the weight too.

You're 100% right about that, no arguments from me. But factor in whatever price the AC15VR would be, plus the supposed high reliability due to the absence of a more strenuous circuit--I think it'd make a great backup amp.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:29 am

ime, ac15's don't have much in the way of reliability issues. i've never owned one, but i haven't seen many complaints on the vox forum. then again, maybe they're just shrouded by the innumerable ac30 complaints.

MISSINGNO. · Post by **MISSINGNO.** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:33 am

Oh, I wasn't saying anything about the amps in particular--I just meant tube amps in general. It'd be nice to have a really decent sounding solid state that would probably deal with pedals way better than my *cough* Spyder III.

What I'm trying to say is that I'd prefer the AC15VR as a backup for my Laney over my Spyder ANY day, haha.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:39 am

these should not be confused with the previous (now discontinued) VR30 & VR15. total shit.

VR30 - 1x10? WTF?

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:09 pm

Just look for a secondhand AC30 if you want an AC30. I'll admit they way a fucking tonne but you can't beat their sound.

I picked up a secondhand AC30 for less than one of the VRs new

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 1:36 am

hmm, that could be a plan.
this will be a later in the year purchase when i have some cash to throw around, i'm really skeptical about my next big amp purchase, which is gonna take alot of playing with other amps and stuff.

kingoftherodeo · Post by **kingoftherodeo** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:41 pm

I've been looking at AC30's but their are so many variations. It's pretty confusing to choose a good one. Plus the prices seem to vary. Quite drastically too!

SirAstatine · Post by **SirAstatine** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 7:14 pm

They look sweet - I'd be tempted for the Ac15 too, be nice not having to worry about tube life etc in a backup amp.

kingoftherodeo · Post by **kingoftherodeo** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 7:19 pm

Are the AC15's loud enough to gig a decent sized venue?

Post by **Doog** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 8:32 pm

Vox have THE worst fucking model naming scheme I've ever seen, they truly have.

kingoftherodeo wrote:Are the AC15's loud enough to gig a decent sized venue?

Apparently they've beefed the VR's up so their solidstate wattage ratings compare, volumewise, to their far louder valve counterparts. That said, I'd still go for the 30. Always better to have a little extra headroom rather than too little.