is a Vox Valvestate a valve amp?

Chipbass

I got a Vox valvestate 50w. I think it sounds great.... was just wondering is this a valve amp?, I got it second hand, wasn't really stressed when I bought it as it sounded so good... Any feedback would be appreciated?

Your right.... My bad, sorry I meant Valvetronix!!! ???

vic

Chipbass wrote: I got a Vox valvestate 50w. I think it sounds great.... was just wondering is this a valve amp?, I got it second hand, wasn't really stressed when I bought it as it sounded so good... Any feedback would be appreciated?

No, it's not regarded as a valve amp although it has one valve in the pre-amp section. The power amp is solid state. But yes, they sound very good.

Jacquesg4j

I think Vox refer to their's as Valvetronix and Marshall does the Valvestate.

ZarK

Jacquesg4j wrote: I think Vox refer to their's as Valvetronix and Marshall does the Valvestate.

chris77

They fall in a category commonly refered to as Hybrid Amps. (Basically it means they have both solid state and valve components.) But that term carries a fair bit of marketing weight hey. The solid state parts of the amps generally far outweigh the valve parts. The vox vt series uses a single valve to 'warm up' the tone, but the meat and potatoes of the amp is solid state. That said, I had a vt30 and it was a great little amp. Didn't like the metal grill and never really bonded with the controls though, so I let it go. But the tones were good, and that's where it should count - Not if it's called this or that or has a braai grill stuck to it.

dirkv

I have the Ad50VT which i bought from Warren and i totally agree with the 'warming up the tone' statement. I really like the tone of this amp. At its heart it is a Solid state but the valve does give your tone more body

VellaJ

I'd like to hear a couple of valvestate/valvetronix amps... When I was in the market for a valve amp I looked at a Marshall valvestate (I think it was 30 or 50W) and was left cold. I love the Marshall sound, but this just didn't seem to cut it (possibly to be expected, considering it would have cost about R3,500). Ended up getting my Peavey Valveking instead...

ActionArnie

As far as hybrid amps go, I reckon the best of the lot is probably the Fender Super Champ XD (which has power amp valves and some solid state trickiness in the preamp section). Reviews on the interweb are quite favourable.

EDIT: I see there is 1 tube in the preamp section, so its basically a full valve amp with some digital fancy stuff.

shaundtsl

I have been playing on a marshall valvestate 65 now for the last 8-ish years or so. I have loved that amp (although doesnt get used all that much now), I always felt there was something missing tone wise, at that stage I probably bought it more for the label than anything else. I used it with out a PA for a gig or two as well, but at smallish venues.

To me its a great amp, it has reliably taken me through quite a few bands and alot of gigs with no problems.

I would buy one again if I had to, but thats probably because I dont know any better ?