Vox Valvetronix VT20

[narativesoul]

does anyone have or used one, what are your thoughts

[Whoa Tele]

I had one and while I found it to be toneful and user friendly I couldn't handle the digital hiss it produced.

[teleowner0196]

I've got the vt40, really a decent amp. Gives a warmer sound and feel than SS, but like the poster above stated, there is some digital hiss from time to time. For me it happens on high gain settings and on the ac30 setting. It is like a snare drum hiss that is only audible as a background sound, only present while playing. This is assuming we're talking about the same hiss. Other than that, good little practice amp. I'm happy with mine considering the price.

[TeleTim911]

I have a VT50 never noticed a hiss. I like it but I'm gassing for a Mustang III anymore.

[Bulldog87]

I've got a VT40+ and I have the hiss too. I found that if I keep all the EQ dials around 50-60% or lower I dont get it. You just have to really work with the different amp settings and the EQ levels. The hiss goes away.

That said, once I learned how to use it I really found I like it! I was going to sell it because of the hiss but I decided to keep it! It's loud as heck too!

[teleowner0196]

Originally Posted by Bulldog87

I've got a VT40+ and I have the hiss too. I found that if I keep all the EQ dials around 50-60% or lower I dont get it. You just have to really work with the different amp settings and the EQ levels. The hiss goes away.

That said, once I learned how to use it I really found I like it! I was going to sell it because of the hiss but I decided to keep it! It's loud as heck too!

Thanks! Well then, I really have no problems with this amp now. Now it is an even better buy for the money than it already was.

[narativesoul]

i saw in another forum that the cord is a two prong with no grounding prong, and the guy said he put a 3 prong cord on it and it stopped the hiss altogether

[blowtorch]

You guys that bought a Valvetronix + series, I feel bad for you. Those amps sound great, even with the hiss, and then shortly die, in my experience. I had two VT40+'s and this happened to both of them.

Edited to add, I love my old diamond grated AD50VT. That thing is great, and you can't kill it.

[Leep Dog]

I have a VT15 and I love it. Great little amp. I always use manual mode and switch between AC15 and AC30 settings mostly and I treat it like a regular amp; adjusting knobs to my taste (I don't use the presets). The only effects I really use are delay and tremolo but some of the others are useful too. I think it's a great little practice amp and a great way to figure out what kind of "real" amps you may like. The only issues I have had are the inputs seem to get dirty easily but that was easily remedied by spraying electrical component cleaner. Also, I haven't had to do this in quite some time.

[jefrs]

AD30VT here.

There is a "hidden" control, the noise gate.
Press bypass so no FX on, press and hold the "tap" button whilst turning the "edit 1" knob to zero. This turns the noise gate off and does introduce a little bit of hiss but gives much better string-touch sensitivity. Obviously you can adjust noise gate level to kill any hiss, but the hiss is similar or better than a good valve amp's gentle buzz/hum.

The other "hidden" control is the output level knob on the back. The amp sounds best with this opened up almost but not quite to maximum, and use the master-volume to control the output level.

The valve is used in starved plate mode to help the chip model a valve amp, it is not a true part of the amplification chain, it is not a gain stage.

I too also use manual mode almost exclusively, but you can store two things on the AD30VT and use it as you would a 2-channel amp with a diy f/s.

Downside - too many knobs.& stock speaker (replace with Celestion G10-30 Greenback :)

The FX are not very special but do what is needed. The modelling engine and FX are very similar to those on the Korg AX10G MFX (no surprise there) which does the same thing without the valve.

[Lunchie]

I too have the AD30VT which i believe is the older version of the 20. I use it more then my blues deluxe because i play a lot in the middle of the night and it sounds pretty good at low volume and takes my pedals pretty well. The only on board effect i really use is the compression but thats rarely as is.

[Lunchie]

Originally Posted by narativesoul

i saw in another forum that the cord is a two prong with no grounding prong, and the guy said he put a 3 prong cord on it and it stopped the hiss altogether

Really? I thought someone just pulled the prong out of mine. I did replace mine as well with a three prong although i didnt really notice any difference.

[Hoopermazing]

Originally Posted by narativesoul

does anyone have or used one, what are your thoughts

Google the phrase "Vox VT20+ hiss."