Valvetronix Vs. Super Champ XD ?

[nevadacalifornia]

Been wanting to get a nice little practice amp, and have tried and liked the valvetronix adv30. Have not been able to try the new Super Champ XD. Anyone try them both? Pro's and con's of the two? I have a DRRI and Tweed Bjr, so just looking for something small, good built in effects, and like the tube power idea of both of these.

[ChicknPickn]

This is coming from one guy testing only two Teles (both shielded) on one Vox Valvetronix AD50VT, but overdriving the amp with single-coil pickups at only moderate system volume produced a LOT of noise, some of it sounding strongly microphonic. I know this can happen easily with unshielded single-coil guitars, but I was scared away from the Valvetronix after hearing the screech that came out on some of the modeling settings. In every other respect, the amp seemed like a lot of bang for the buck. As long as you've checked this out and are satisfied with the output, the Vox could be an excellent amp. By the way, when I played through the same amp with humbuckers and a set of Bill Lawrence noiseless pickups, the screeching was almost eliminated.

[rolleiguy54]

I have not played the vox, but I love my new superchamp. great tones and lot of different sounds.

[Tim73]

I owned the Vox for a while & have read great things about the Fender Super Champ XD. I loved the Vox but now have a Blues Jnr which suits me / my style better. The Super Champ XD sounds great & I suspect sounds more authentic as it has an effects bypass that is pure tube amp, that the Vox doesn't have.

[Tim Armstrong]

Originally Posted by ChicknPickn

This is coming from one guy testing only two Teles (both shielded) on one Vox Valvetronix AD50VT, but overdriving the amp with single-coil pickups at only moderate system volume produced a LOT of noise, some of it sounding strongly microphonic. I know this can happen easily with unshielded single-coil guitars, but I was scared away from the Valvetronix after hearing the screech that came out on some of the modeling settings. In every other respect, the amp seemed like a lot of bang for the buck. As long as you've checked this out and are satisfied with the output, the Vox could be an excellent amp. By the way, when I played through the same amp with humbuckers and a set of Bill Lawrence noiseless pickups, the screeching was almost eliminated.

Utterly FWIW, my brother plays a Strat through an AD30vt with no problems. Perhaps that amp you were trying had issues?

Cheers, Tim

[ChicknPickn]

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

Utterly FWIW, my brother plays a Strat through an AD30vt with no problems. Perhaps that amp you were trying had issues?

Cheers, Tim

I've wondered the same. Eventually, I'll get a chance to try another one.

[klast]

I haven't tried the SCXD yet, but I have had a Vox AD30VT for little more than a year now.

Listening to a run through of the SXCD's voices on YouTube I get the impression that its amp simulations are better than the Vox's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aGMTrL0pGg

However, it seems that the effects of the Vox are more tweakable.

Klas

[11 Gauge]

While I'll admit with a pre-proviso that I haven't tried the XD's yet (and may never), I can honestly say that the Valvetronix is the only modeling amp that I've retained.

When I go from any of my tube amps and switch over to the Vox, I just don't get an overt feeling that it's a modeling amp. There's only a handful of knobs to turn, the effects are easily bypassed, and the power section sounds more than convincing enough. AAMOF, the amp dynamics change as you crank it - very uncommon for a non-tube power section.

My opinions may not be very helpful though, since I only use one or two models, and little or no effects. I wanted a small modeling amp that behaved as much like a simple tube amp as possible, and the Valvetronix was the only one that I've found that does exactly that.

If you need a swiss army style modeler, probably any of them would suffice. If you need lots of tweakable effects, the Valvetronix may not be the top of the heap. As far as the XD's true tube power section vs. the Valvetronix's emulated one, don't be blown off by the Vox's lack of tubes. You might just be surprised.

I'm not trying to sound like a Valvetronix poster boy, and I'll reiterate that I haven't tried the XD, but the Valvetronix is the first modeler that I've owned that I've stuck with, and it's been about 3 years of regular usage at this point.

[JumpMarine]

Here's my review on the SCXD vs. an AD15VT(Based on side by side comparison as I own both)

The SC's fender models, not suprisingly, smoked the Vox in every way.

The Vox, on the other hand, AC15/AC30 and Marshall settings were much more useable.

Those were all expected before I even started.

The Vox won out in tweakability with a full tone stack, abilty to change 3 parameters of each FX setting and abilty to store a couple of presets.

It was a tie on the quality of the built in FX as there were pros and cons on both.

Tonally, this is were the SC just plain took everything up a notch or two. It simply sounded better and was more touch sensitive. Both are nice amps, but I will be selling my Vox after picking up the Super Champ.

**Note this is coming from someone who has had both the old Blue faced AD60H and the AD15VT and loved both of them**

[BrianF]

Interesting reviews. The VOX Valvetronix range has changed in recent years as well. The older original AD60VTX and AD100VTX were much more flexible and controllable amps. The new ones have a really limited selction of effects choices. Ie Comp only, Comp/Chorus etc...Reverb oly, Reverb/Trem etc.... but whats really frustrating is not being able to use the Comp and Reverb with each other at the same time....

Not sure if the Fender is any better in that regard ...but it's a real limitation of the newer Valvetronix series

[11 Gauge]

Originally Posted by JumpMarine

The SC's fender models, not suprisingly, smoked the Vox in every way.

The Vox, on the other hand, AC15/AC30 and Marshall settings were much more useable.

What about the other models? A lot of folks rave about the the Vox's Boutique Clean model. How does the XD compare to that? I guess the XD's equivalent would be the Jazz Clean model?

While I don't use the models at either end of the spectrum, I know that they might come in handy for others.

That sux that Vox has killed the FX features on the more recent amps. While I feel that FX IMO kinda smother and kill everything, I know that they also are important to many players.

To me, IMO, the hardest thing for a modeler to do successfully is a mildly overdriven amp model, that is dynamic. I wasn't even a fan of the AC15/30, until I got my Valvetronix. If the XD, Line 6, or any other modeling vendor can top those models, I'd love to know about it.

[nvosmeier]

I just got the Super Champ XD. I like it a lot. I have only had it a few hours. It has (1) 12AX7 and (2) 6V6 tubes, 16 voicings and 16 effects. I like the clean channel and some of the voicings. The voicings and effects are useful. For a small amp, this baby fills the shoes.

You get all of this for around $300.

[nvosmeier]

I was wanting a more usefull small amp. I got one of the 5-watt Champion 600a little while ago, and never really grew to like it. The Super Champ XD is a lot more amp. I am going to get rid of the Champion 600.

[klast]

Originally Posted by 11 Gauge

While I'll admit with a pre-proviso that I haven't tried the XD's yet (and may never), I can honestly say that the Valvetronix is the only modeling amp that I've retained.

When I go from any of my tube amps and switch over to the Vox, I just don't get an overt feeling that it's a modeling amp. There's only a handful of knobs to turn, the effects are easily bypassed, and the power section sounds more than convincing enough. AAMOF, the amp dynamics change as you crank it - very uncommon for a non-tube power section.

My opinions may not be very helpful though, since I only use one or two models, and little or no effects.

That's a good point. I only use a couple of models, mostly a clean one and an overdriven one. Now and again I try other models, but I always return to the favourite ones.
So for me it would be enough with, say, a clean Vox sound and an overdriven Vox or Marshall sound.

Klas

[11 Gauge]

Originally Posted by klast

That's a good point. I only use a couple of models, mostly a clean one and an overdriven one.

I guess I included it because despite all the bells and whistles, some folks' best choice might just be a modeller, even if they don't use 70% of what it has to offer. For those people, it's a potential snare to end up with the wrong one, because the 30% that they are looking for doesn't end up working for them.

The XD's tube power amp section may actually be the ticket for part of the modelling crowd. Initial perceptions seem to indicate this.

[2ndstringer]

I just got my SCXD. The Fender clean is glorious. I haven't tried all the models yet, but several are very good. I'd be delighted with it, however, if all it did was the blackface clean. It's like it is 1968 all over again, but better. Sounds good at home, loud enough to play a coffeehouse, or mic it, or do the line out for something larger. I haven't owned other modeling amps, but I have a J-Station and a Korg Toneworks thing, and I use amp sims all the time when I record stuff. To me, this doesn't sound like a modeler. I like it a lot. And it looks like a miniature Deluxe Reverb, circa 1968. Way cool, in my view.

John

[eddiewagner]

i tried a whole bunch of modelers. and finally settled for a marshall avt 20. it does not model, but i sounds good, is solid and had enough volume.

[JumpMarine]

Originally Posted by 11 Gauge

What about the other models? A lot of folks rave about the the Vox's Boutique Clean model. How does the XD compare to that? I guess the XD's equivalent would be the Jazz Clean model?

While I don't use the models at either end of the spectrum, I know that they might come in handy for others.

That sux that Vox has killed the FX features on the more recent amps. While I feel that FX IMO kinda smother and kill everything, I know that they also are important to many players.

To me, IMO, the hardest thing for a modeler to do successfully is a mildly overdriven amp model, that is dynamic. I wasn't even a fan of the AC15/30, until I got my Valvetronix. If the XD, Line 6, or any other modeling vendor can top those models, I'd love to know about it.

They are similar, but the Vox Boutique Clean, IMHO, is a bit more touch sensitive and richer sounding than the Jazz setting on the SCXD. The mild overdriven settings(#2 and 5)on the SCXD are great and are very sensitive to your pick attack and very dynamic. I'm still amazed at the tones that I'm getting out of this little amp, especially after plugging it into my Greenback/G12H30 loaded 2x12 closedback cab. It's obviously louder, but more than that it sounds simply incredible!

[RetroDaddy]

Just bought a Fender Superchamp XD and gave it a 3 hour work out today. I also own a Fender Blues Junior which I love. This amp may be even better. I'm totally blown away by the tone and versatility of this little amp. Plenty loud enough to jam with my full band. There is a wide range of great Fender cleans because of the on board amp modeling options. But as another poster said it doesn't sound like modeling because you get that great all tube tone. The variations all sound genuine through the tubes. Comes with chorus, delay, reverb and trem which are all very usable. This amp does a really good job of making your electric guitar sound like an acoustic.

I was able to make my tele sound like a Leslie organ by combining chorus and delay with one of the many amp voicing options. AWESOME!

Incredible value for $300. My new favorite amp! I've never played the Vox so I can't compare them. This amp is nearly as loud as my Blues Junior.

[teletard]

for all you people that want the xd to be a practice amp. i don't understand why everybody wants togo for the superchamp versus the vibro champ. for practice it seems as though you would want less watts so you can get some powertube distortion at lower volume levels. it seems as though people have forgotten about the vibro champ and only talk about the superchamp. the vibro is the boss and it rules the roost of the xd series. if you were going to gig, i would say go with the super champ. but for practicing at the house the vibrochamp is the only way to go.

[pchilson]

Originally Posted by teletard

for all you people that want the xd to be a practice amp. i don't understand why everybody wants togo for the superchamp versus the vibro champ. for practice it seems as though you would want less watts so you can get some powertube distortion at lower volume levels. it seems as though people have forgotten about the vibro champ and only talk about the superchamp. the vibro is the boss and it rules the roost of the xd series. if you were going to gig, i would say go with the super champ. but for practicing at the house the vibrochamp is the only way to go.

I have an SCXD. On channel 2 you turn the vol all the way up and leave the gain on 1, you get low (bedroom level) volume and get the powertube vibe. You in essence use the gain knob as MV. Works for me...

[Gary in Boston]

I would strongly recommend you go to GC or wherever and play one.

It was a fun moment when I tried it out. I found the Vox to be very noisy. I like Vox but the SDXD was just so well done. At $ 299 it was a deal.

Gary

[kp8]

Originally Posted by 11 Gauge

What about the other models? A lot of folks rave about the the Vox's Boutique Clean model.

I was astounded when i heard this setting. Really nice eq profile on the Boutique Clean. It made me really want this amp just for this setting. How close can you get to this with the Soopa champ?