(Log in to disable ads.)

Went out to test some amps today. Usually I'm a sucker for a 2nd hand deal, they've always served me well in the past so I didn't think I'd get much from shopping around for a brand new amp.

Lately I've been dead set on a large 100watt amp. Something like a Crate 120watt Flexwave, Hughes and Kettner Matrix 100 and the Highwatt Maxwatt G200r halfstack for sale on the forum. I really thought I'd buy this last one. All these amps are between R2500 and R3500. But today a guy told me that even when playing small gigs, you'll never really use the full potential of a 100/200 watt amp. His recommendation was basically that a smaller 40 or 50 watt combo at high levels would be more than sufficient and that they'd actually sound better than playing one of those huge amps at its lower range of volume. Is this true because it seems to make sense to me?

The main thing I'm stuck on for now is whether to go for a Albion AG40DFX or a VOX VT40+??? I tested them both out and I love the sounds they give me. At first glance, the vox seems to offer more features though. Which amp would be better? Will I be able to use them in a band and top the blaring drumkit? Currently I'm using my Marshall MG30DFX and it's just not cutting it volume wise. I'm looking for a warm tone and something that can sound heavy and powerful when you crank up the overdrve.

What are the Technical differences between the two amps. I'm not able to find much info on the Albion but I know that the VT40+ uses all valves (apparently). What implications will this have?
    The Vox VT series are great sounding amps. These use one valve in the pre-amp which gives a valve-like character.It doesn't sound like a solid state amp at all.... It simulates various amps eg.Vox AC30, Tweed Fender, and many more. It has reverb, delay, overdrive and more Fx. The 100w version is a very powerful amp.
    I have a mint 2x12 100watter (which you can tune down to 5 w if you like ? ) which I wish to sell as I never use it. It's currently on Gumtree.

    http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-VOX-VT-100-amplifier-W0QQAdIdZ297898248
      The salesman only told you a half truth. The "playing them at high volumes" only really applies to valve amps and then the only reason you play them loudly is to make the power tubes go into overdrive (you can use a valve amp of lesser wattage to do this at a more reasonable volume level). Neither of those amps are valve amps so once you have them loud enough to make the speaker work properly it won't matter much how loudly you play them, they won't get 'better' with volume. A 40-50 Watt solid state amp should work just fine unmic'd for smaller gigs, and when you mic amps then the size makes no difference at all.

      Choose whichever one you like better.
        True with most all-valve amps. But one of the beauties of solid-state is you don't have to crank them to get to the "sweet spot", so you can go bigger amp and turn down (rather have the extra power and not need it than the reverse). A valve amp you have to match the amp power to the rooms you will play (or use a smaller amp and mic up).

        The downside is that 100W of solid state power amp is only about as loud as 30 - 50W (depending on the amp) of all-valve (and while a valve or two in the preamp is nice for tone shaping, it still behaves like a solid state as far as power goes).
          ive got a VT20+ and i absolutely love it, im no amp expert but the vox blew me away from the first note!
            Alan Ratcliffe wrote: The downside is that 100W of solid state power amp is only about as loud as 30 - 50W (depending on the amp) of all-valve (and while a valve or two in the preamp is nice for tone shaping, it still behaves like a solid state as far as power goes).
            I've come across that fact many times but I don't quite understand why. To my knowledge, a watt is a watt? How does one watt differ from another?

            Yesterday I shot over to another store and asked them for amps in the 3k range. First he walks straight to some line 6 amps. Then I tell him I'm not a huge line 6 fan. Then he walks over to some Cubes. Not a big Cube fan either. I just don't like those amps very much. Yes, they're packed with features but there's a sort of brittle quality to the tone and an overly modern sound. Am I the only one that believes this? After a chat he takes me to another amp: A Hiwatt Maxwatt G100r. 100watts, through one 12" speaker. I didn't find any issues with the sound and it had neat features like an effects loop, external speaker output etc. But something is still telling me that by going for the smaller 40 watts, I'll get a better quality amp even though it's slightly smaller. Any advice there?
              Apparently tubes are louder...
              but i have read other views that people just perceive them to be louder and that they're actually the same volume!

              I havent heard the VOX or the Albion, but both get good reviews if you search up on them!
              Keep in mind though, you wont find too many opinions on the Albion as they're still newish!

              The Vox does have very accurate modelling though! (same tech in the Tonelab EX and Vox Mini 3)

              The cubes also arent my favourite amps... thats why i sold mine!

              But maybe also have a look at the Fender Mustang I and Mustang II amps?!
              It also might be to your liking!
              If the Albion is your thing though, then get that!
              If the Vox does it for you, get that!
              If you dont consider the Fenders, also not a problem!

              Just be happy with whatever you get! ?
                D-Man wrote: I've come across that fact many times but I don't quite understand why.
                How they are measured. Power is measured at onset of distortion (it's a hi-fi thing, where distortion is undesirable) and, while solid-state stay clean until the upper end of their power range, valves tend to start distorting at much lower gain levels, so are rated at much lower levels (about half) than they are actually capable of producing. Valves also compress naturally, so you sound much louder on average.
                To my knowledge, a watt is a watt? How does one watt differ from another?
                Specs are generally totally meaningless, at worst completely misleading. Even when they are not, you need to know how to interpret the specs to get an idea of the real-world performance of the device and for most people it's simpler just to plug in and try the damn thing... Especially as the manufacturers naturally only show you the specs that look good (you have to know how to read between the lines and look for the specs that they aren't showing you).

                Watts are a perfect example - there are different "standards" for measuring them, some which are useful to the electronic savvy person (RMS), some offer a more real-world perspective (Continuous/Program) and some which are totally useless and misleading (PMPO). Even then, in a guitar amp, without also knowing the sensitivity of the speakers, you will still have no idea how loud the amp is in a playing situation.
                  Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
                  D-Man wrote: I've come across that fact many times but I don't quite understand why.
                  How they are measured. Power is measured at onset of distortion (it's a hi-fi thing, where distortion is undesirable) and, while solid-state stay clean until the upper end of their power range, valves tend to start distorting at much lower gain levels, so are rated at much lower levels (about half) than they are actually capable of producing. Valves also compress naturally, so you sound much louder on average.
                  I knew I'd get a new bit of info on the forum that would fascinate me completely by asking that question! That's extremely interesting!

                  Norman86 wrote: But maybe also have a look at the Fender Mustang I and Mustang II amps?!
                  I tested a Mustang II just before I tested the VOX. also seemed like an epic amp packed with features! IT HAS USB CAPABILITIES! On the list of things that appeal to masculine tastes, that's just before bluetooth and seeing as Bluetooth on an amp seems very unlikely, USB is epic!!
                    Write a Reply...