Vox ACTV4

Riaan

I've been looking at these amps online for a while now. It seems the ideal low wattage valve amp for home use. I particularly like the variable output level that enables nice tube saturation at low volumes. Anyone of you know or own one of these?

Squonk

They do look and sound very good. I am sure CDee has one ?

AlanRatcliffe

Someone here has one. Otherwise, I've only heard good things aside from not having much clean headroom (something I found with the AC15 Hand Wired too).

I think I saw one in Marshall Cape Town if you want to give one a spin.

[deleted]

I have played on an AC4 little combo, it's a tiny little thing. It sounded really good, and it still packs a big punch. It is PERFECT for playing in around and around house and some more...

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: I've only heard good things aside from not having much clean headroom (something I found with the AC15 Hand Wired too).

+1

And that is the way I love it... always a bit of grit, the harder you dig, the more you get... but always cleans up nicely with the guitar volume ?

CDee

Hi Riaan,

I have one of those. I also bought it for home use but have since played with it mic'd up with a band and is really good. I love the built in attenuator and that makes it very nice for home use. It takes pedal fairly well for a small amp. I have found mine to give enough clean headroom on the 4W setting (using the 12" cab). Once it starts breaking up on the 4W it's to loud for home practise anyway.
I do suggest you get the head and cab version if you can. I got the combo AC4TV and later added the cab. Sounds a bit better through the 12" speaker.

Well, if you have any other questions feel free to ask. If you need some sound clips let me know.

CDee ?

Riaan

Thanks guys, for the advice. CD, yes after watching this clip I agree that the half stack is better:

Man, this is sweet! This amp's gonna haunt me, I gotta get one, finish and klaar!

ezietsman

Before you do that do check out the Blackstar HT-5. You left Graemestock before mine got fired up I think. From what I've seen on youtube and so on the HT-5 must be a contender for best 5 watt valve amp currently available. It can do what the vox can do and more. It also comes in head form so you can hook it up to a 12" cab (I've got the combo, but I think a 12" speaker will do wonders), and its got the effects loop and footswitch(included) for the channel switching. It doesn't have the 4, 1, 1/4 watt settings though, only 5 watt but its not very loud. In my mind The HT-5 is as good as the Vox but more versatile. You can check its features at the Blackstar website.

Riaan

Before you do that do check out the Blackstar HT-5.]

Will do, I've also read many good things about them. Will check it out. I like the effects loop, it's a pity it doesn't have options less than 5 Watt though. Would've been nice for late night playing. I often play at 1 or 2 AM, but I guess at those times my PC and Guitar Rig is the best option.

MoJo-JoJoe

Riaan wrote:
Before you do that do check out the Blackstar HT-5.]
Will do, I've also read many good things about them. Will check it out. I like the effects loop, it's a pity it doesn't have options less than 5 Watt though. Would've been nice for late night playing. I often play at 1 or 2 AM, but I guess at those times my PC and Guitar Rig is the best option.

The HT-5 has a drive channel and a clean channel, so you can still get drive (admittedly not power amp saturation) at low levels. Also, the HT-5 combo is exactly the same as the head (ie same speaker output options) so having the combo is convenient in that if you don't want to lugg a cab around you don't have to, but if you do, you are in no way at a disadvantage over the head version. It's only a couple of cm's higher than the head unit since the chassis (exactly the same as in the head) is mounted in the cab upward-facing whereas the same chassis is mounted in the head unit forward-facing.

I have one that has had very little play-time and am planning to list it in the classifieds along with some other gear as soon as I pull my finger out the brown stuff.

Vick

Dud....just don't forget to checkout the blackheart little giant....kicks the blackstars ass IMO ?

Riaan

blackheart little giant

Thanks Vick

Oh boy, choices....bad for my GAS, I want them all! Luckily I'm in no hurry (i.e. I don't have the money right now ?) so I'll check them all out.

kayDUB

Vick wrote: Dud....just don't forget to checkout the blackheart little giant....kicks the blackstars ass IMO ?

+1 i have the 12" combo

AlanRatcliffe

I've played on Mojo's HT-5. Impressive the way it does both Marshall and Mesa voices and everywhere in between. Well made for a fairly inexpensive amp too - through plated circuitboards, metal standoffs and chassis mounted power valve and other stuff you usually only see on amps in the boutique price range.

aja

Now, how (other than volume) does this compare to the night train?

69Thinline

Hey Mojo! Wot do u want for ur amp? I'm in the market.

Shot

MoJo-JoJoe

69Thinline wrote: Hey Mojo! Wot do u want for ur amp? I'm in the market.

Shot

Sorry Dude, Wizard bought it months ago and subsequently sold/traded it to Riaan.