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solaris1982
New member
I'm trying to decide between a superchamp XD and one the Vox AD30VT. Both have the effects on them, different amps, and still are tube-driven. Any thoughts?
eyema_believer
Bondservant
I'm a huge fan of anything with Vox's "Valve Reactor" technology, which is where they use a 12ax7 and a dummy speaker load in a circuit that emulates a saturating power amp. In short, it works pretty good.... I own the Tonelab SE and use it every week. But, I also put it through a cranked-up class A EL84 power amp. This combo is awesome..... and it's also what you get when you buy the Champ (almost, the Champ is probably class A/B).... a super flexible digital front end with a tube power section that you can push really hard and make sound sweet..... I think you should try it out, and let us know what that Champ sounds like, but make sure you try it out in a closed room where you can crank 'er up and get those tubes saturating!
Peace!
~Shawn
elenore19
Slowing becoming un-noob.
I have the Champ. I've had it for about 3/4 months now. I must say, fucking fantastic.
I've cranked it up, and the tubes kick in amazingly. The clean is impeccable. The 16 voices are fantastic as well. I just recently messed around with them again, and they're a lot of fun.
The amp itself sounds fantastic, but I have it hooked up to a 2x12 with V30's just because I have it. And that sounds even better.
I've also played the Vox Valvetronix series.(I think that's the type you're looking at..?)
The champ is EXTREMELY versatile. The Vox is as well. What I would say is that the clean on the champ is MUCH better than the vox. At least that's what I found. The distortion, well, I never really heard too much of a difference when I cranked the vox as opposed to not cranking it. So I'm not sure if the tubes weren't having as much effect as they have on the champ.
So my vote is for the Champ.
I play blues/punk/metal/alternative. And others as well, that's just what I play mostly. I've been playing for 4/5 years. So there's my experience if you were wondering.
Hope that helps.
-Elliot
I've cranked it up, and the tubes kick in amazingly. The clean is impeccable. The 16 voices are fantastic as well. I just recently messed around with them again, and they're a lot of fun.
The amp itself sounds fantastic, but I have it hooked up to a 2x12 with V30's just because I have it. And that sounds even better.
I've also played the Vox Valvetronix series.(I think that's the type you're looking at..?)
The champ is EXTREMELY versatile. The Vox is as well. What I would say is that the clean on the champ is MUCH better than the vox. At least that's what I found. The distortion, well, I never really heard too much of a difference when I cranked the vox as opposed to not cranking it. So I'm not sure if the tubes weren't having as much effect as they have on the champ.
So my vote is for the Champ.
I play blues/punk/metal/alternative. And others as well, that's just what I play mostly. I've been playing for 4/5 years. So there's my experience if you were wondering.
Hope that helps.
-Elliot
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jonnyc
New member
My vote would be the Fender. The Vox Valvetronics amps arent terrible by any means but they just dont have that tube goodness. I will say though, Im a huge fan of the AC stuff from Vox.
Gear_Junky
New member
I almost missed this thread (that's what you get for generic titles!)
+1 on fender SCXD - the thing is, it should be a much more expensive amp, it's really not in the same category as the Vox, but it's priced attractively.
I only played with Voxes at the store (never owned) and I'll admit that the preamp-tube hybrids are better than solid states, but not as good as the SCXD!
SCXD has a true Class A/B power section - that seems to be the "soul" of the amp, but I'm sure the quality of the digital front-end "models" also has something to do with it. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
+1 on fender SCXD - the thing is, it should be a much more expensive amp, it's really not in the same category as the Vox, but it's priced attractively.
I only played with Voxes at the store (never owned) and I'll admit that the preamp-tube hybrids are better than solid states, but not as good as the SCXD!
SCXD has a true Class A/B power section - that seems to be the "soul" of the amp, but I'm sure the quality of the digital front-end "models" also has something to do with it. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
B
bobandshawn
Senior Member
Just went through the same process and really loved the Superchamp. I went with a bigger Fender Deluxe, but may still buy the Superchamp for a practice/backup amp.
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solaris1982
New member
Went to GC
Played both today, and I have to say that I'm impressed with both amps.
The Superchamp is good, but I really liked the VOX better. The nicest feature of the VOX was the attenuator that can turn down the power. I could OD the tube at lower volume and still get the good break-up.
Pros for the Champ:
Acoustic simulator (but that's why I have an acoustic guitar)
More selection on effects/amps
Speaker out (to hook up to a cab...but I don't really gig much...or at all at the moment.)
Pros for the VOX:
Price ($50 goes a long way for me these days)
Attenuator (can't wake the baby...
)
More Max power (for when he's already awake
)
I'll probably end up going with the VOX, because all the extra features I'd get out of the Champ are really unnecessary for me. Plus, like I said, 50 bucks is 50 bucks. I didn't really notice enough difference in sound between the 2 models that one really stuck out...they were both actually quite nice.
Played both today, and I have to say that I'm impressed with both amps.
The Superchamp is good, but I really liked the VOX better. The nicest feature of the VOX was the attenuator that can turn down the power. I could OD the tube at lower volume and still get the good break-up.
Pros for the Champ:
Acoustic simulator (but that's why I have an acoustic guitar)
More selection on effects/amps
Speaker out (to hook up to a cab...but I don't really gig much...or at all at the moment.)
Pros for the VOX:
Price ($50 goes a long way for me these days)
Attenuator (can't wake the baby...
)More Max power (for when he's already awake
)I'll probably end up going with the VOX, because all the extra features I'd get out of the Champ are really unnecessary for me. Plus, like I said, 50 bucks is 50 bucks. I didn't really notice enough difference in sound between the 2 models that one really stuck out...they were both actually quite nice.
eyema_believer
Bondservant
Played both today, and I have to say that I'm impressed with both amps.
The Superchamp is good, but I really liked the VOX better. The nicest feature of the VOX was the attenuator that can turn down the power. I could OD the tube at lower volume and still get the good break-up.
Pros for the Champ:
Acoustic simulator (but that's why I have an acoustic guitar)
More selection on effects/amps
Speaker out (to hook up to a cab...but I don't really gig much...or at all at the moment.)
Pros for the VOX:
Price ($50 goes a long way for me these days)
Attenuator (can't wake the baby...
More Max power (for when he's already awake
I'll probably end up going with the VOX, because all the extra features I'd get out of the Champ are really unnecessary for me. Plus, like I said, 50 bucks is 50 bucks. I didn't really notice enough difference in sound between the 2 models that one really stuck out...they were both actually quite nice.
A good choice for good reasons..... yay!!
joeym
New member
I've got the VOX AC30DT and I think it's great, even though I'm still messing around trying to get the right distorted sound to record with. But that's more a question of mic placement than amp....but these little guys really kick ass and at a great price too!
I suggest you try both out and chose what you find best, but VOX builds great amps!
Cheers
Joe
I suggest you try both out and chose what you find best, but VOX builds great amps!
Cheers
Joe
Gear_Junky
New member
Vibro Champ XD is $50 cheaper than SCXD. It's 5wt though.
but i can see how VOX would be preferred for bedroom use, if you don't jam at band-level.
but i can see how VOX would be preferred for bedroom use, if you don't jam at band-level.