Vox AD120VT Valvetronix 212 Combo

Price Paid: £750 (£ stirling)

Features: 9
2002 model, features numerous and listed in previous reviews.
Very simple operating system
ie Pedal - Amp - EQ - Modulation - Delay/Reverb.
Simply dial in your choice and save.
Wish you could name the patches though.
Tuner a little hard to use.

Sound Quality: 8
Ok,here goes. If you want an exact twin / Soldano or Marshall SLP sound then go and buy one, at £750 this amp will not faithfully recreate all these sounds. However it gets close enough to make it a very versitile gigging amp.
I play in an R.E.M. tribute and use an AC30TB reissue with various pedals and can nail Buck's clean / semi breaking sound. For the heavier numbers I needed another amp and tried a TSL, JCM900 etc and finally fell for the Vox valvetronix to use the recto patch as Buck used a Boogie for his "Monster" sound. One rehearsal I was forced to use the Valvetronix for both sounds (AC30TB and Recto) and was blown away. The AC30TB patch is fantastic and I now use just this amp for smaller gigs when I don't need to run through the PA. With the Ricky 360 it sings, gives me a great sound reacts to how hard I play the note just like the real thing / great flexibility and I only have to carry one amp. The stereo 60W is also loud enough for any big pub.
My advice......buy the footswitch and the chrome stand (for better projection), both expensive but worth it.
The modulation is utter crap, I use chorus on it's lowest setting and fortunately that calms it enough for the style of music I play. Acoustic simulation is OK for a couple of songs in the set but I wouldn't play it extensively.

Reliability: 7
A few issues, when you pull out the guitar lead it seems to cause internal noise within the amp that runs for some considerable length of time. Sounds like a bad earth or another patch cutting through your existing one.

Customer Support: N/A
N/A

Overall Rating: 9
For venues the AC30TB is my amp no question, but for smaller gigs this amp is a gift at this price especially if you can pick up a 2nd hand one.

Submitted by JB at 02/07/2003 06:53

Price Paid: US $1099

Features: 7
You all know the features if not check out the site www.valvetronix.com One concern I haven't been able to adjust the level on some of the modulation effects ie phazer & flanger. just depth and speed. The depth doesn't seem to take the effect out enough if a person only wanted the escence of the effect. No biggy though. would be nice to have a "toe on and off for the wah in the expression pedal. Powers an external speaker cab allong with the existing 2x12's in it. Lower power settings for quieter playing and still have the overdrive output tube sound. Floor pedal suits your needs but would much rather have a biger beefier pedal board like line6's. I had a hard time seeing the pedal buttons in low light where as the line6 floarboard has nice rugged shiny stomp buttons that are not to close together.

Sound Quality: 9
This amp sound like butter. It's simply beautiful. I've been playing for 15 years. Mostly heavier stuff ie earlier Queensrych, Metallica, Mega death, and alot of original from heavy to punk. Currently I've been playing in a cover band whom I've been with for roughly a year. I've been playing out with a Flextone II (OK amp)but couldn't get a true sound out of it not to mention the speakers would fart out if I add any low end and volume. The VOX does NOT have these problems. VERY F#$KING LOUD and lucious low end. Speakers do not fart out. This amp will shake your pantlegs off. Cool thing is the louder it is the better it sounds. Sounds as close to tubes as I've ever heard. I used to own a sunn model T (all tube baby)half stack the newer one (which I loved) and I can the vox to sound just like it. Effects are real nice, not transparent at all. Great Reverbs and Delays. Haven't played with the pedal effects too much but the Octave, Auto wah, and U-vibe are all great and a riot to play with. Tried vetta, flextone II, ZenTera, plus assorted floor board prossesor units and this is the best especially considering the other modeler amps that might kinda compete in sound, cost twice as much and have too much crap to muddle through to get a good sound. Valvtronix is definately the better buy

Reliability: 4
Well mine would shut off by itself every half hour or so when I was playing at practice and at one gig. It would wait about 30 sec and comeback on by itself. NOT GOOD. I sent it back imediately and was depressed that such a sweet amp could do this to me. I was scared of Vox. I waited for a while and decided it sounded too good to not give Vox a sectond try so I ordered another one it's not here yet but I will post again if there are more problems or if all is good for now I give reliability a 4. They aren't worth anything at all if they arent reliable

Customer Support: 8
Talked with Mitch Colby from Korg/Vox via email and he responded quickly and was nice.

Overall Rating: 6
Would have given it a 9 but had the reliability issues. Great sounding amp!!!

Submitted by mike at 01/31/2003 11:51

Price Paid: US $789.00

Features: 10
2002 model. New. Ordered online from American Music Supply
This is the Head version of the Vox Valvetronix modeling amp.
The amp has 16 amp models (see Valvetronix AD120VT combo for details), modeled stomp boxes, timed effects (e.g. tremelo, chorus, phaser, etc.), digital delays, tape echo, multitap delays, as well as spring, room and plate reverbs. Effects loop and headphone and line outs are standard.
While you can use all three post preamp effects (timed effects, delay, reverb) at the same time, you can only have one (1) stompbox activated in the signal path. Wish you could have at least two (2)...for example Wah and Tube overdrive. But this is not too much of a concern, as I have tried an outboard Vox Wah prior to the input to the amp, and it sounds great. The same goes for a pedal Tube Screamer. With that said...the onboard modeled stomp boxes (pre-preamp), are excellent, especially the Univibe, the Tube OD, and Fat OD. The Tube OD emulates the Ibanez tube screamer, and the Fat OD emulates the ProCat Rat pedal. Again, very sweet.

My style is mostly classical hard rock and blues, heavily influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughn, David Gilmore, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Richie Blackmore, and Santana. I also will break out of the standard blues structure by practicing Eric Johnson and Steve Vai compositions (and Richie Blackmore).

This 60 watt x 2 (120 Watt) stereo head has PLENTY of power for my uses. A unique and patended feature of the Valvetronix, is the "Line Reactor" power amp section. Featuring a 12AX7 tube in a negative feedback loop, with a high powered solid state power section, this innovative power amp gives the same characteristics of a full tube power section. Read the Vox website for more technical details on this feature. Suffice it to say, the power amp will automatically switch between Class A and Class AB duty, depending on the amp it is modeling...as well as responding to feedback from the speakers.

There are four settings on the back of the amp, to allow you to dial in the power amp level. 2 x 1 watt, 2 x 15 watt, 2 x 30 watt, and 2 x 60 watt. I am playing through a 4x12 Peavey Stereo cabinet, and have the power amp switch set for 2 x 15 watts. This provides more than enough volume for my needs. In combination with the power amp setting, you can adjust volume with the master volume knob. I never had this higher than 12:00 and this was screaming on the 2 x 15 watt setting.

Another note on this remarkable power amp feature. By cranking the master volume...it is just like driving the power tubes in a tube amp hard...getting you that great tone. With the swichable power amp settings, you can get this tone at bedroom levels, garage levels, or club levels.

Sound Quality: 10
I use a PRS CE24, an two Fender American Standard strats (one with rosewood neck, one maple neck). The Valvetronix head allows for two inputs--high and low. I use the low input for the PRS with the hot dragon humbuckers, and the high input for the single coil strats.

The sounds that this amp can conjure are endless. Again, there are 16 models of the most coveted amps...from Tweeds to Vox AC30TB, to Marshalls (various models) to Mesa as well as Dumble...and more.

The power amp section automatically switches from Class A to Class AB, depending on the amp model. How cool is this! I think this is a key ingredient in getting the most remarkably authentic tones out of this modeling amp. In my humble opinion, it is light years beyond Line 6 (Vetta, Flextone), Fender (Cybertwin), Roland, and Marshall Valvestate offerings. The sounds from this amp are just so natural and warm sounding. The Valvetronix tube amp sounds are equal to or better than many of the all tube amps on the market, including vintage and boutique models.

I seriously doubt if the self-proclaimed tube snobs would be able to finger this amp as being the digital chameleon, if they had to listen to a blind test between 3 tube amps and the Valvetronix.

Moreover, this amp doesn't just "sound" like the tube amps it models...it "feels" and "breathes" like the tube amps. The responsiveness to picking dynamics and attack, and the natural harmonics are just amazing. YOU HAVE TO HEAR THIS and PLAY this amp!

With tons of head room, the clean settings sound great at high volumes...with each individual note ringing clear as a bell. You can go from smooth, clean "Tweedy" sounds, to singing "Vox" just breaking up sounds, to the bottom crunch and high end sizzle of an overdriven Plexi----------> ALL the way to over-the-top creamy sustaining lead tones (Mesa / Rectifier) to in your face distortion.

I was really impressed with the onboard reverbs and delays. I was a little concerned how these were going to sound. After dialing in a tape echo and a tasty room reverb, my concerns disappeared. These effects were very natural and warm sounding, and trully blended with and complemented the tone I was getting, rather than sounding like some digital add-on. Very sweet.

Reliability: N/A
Can't comment, as I have only just purchased this amp. Build quality seems very solid, and the ventilation path seems nicely laid out. The unit arrived double packed...with foam bumpers.
Doesn't seem like there is much that could go wrong with this digital amp...but we shall see.

Customer Support: N/A
To early to tell. However, previous feedback from other forum posters as well as VoxTalks website have only good things to say about Vox's aftermarket service and support.

Overall Rating: 10
This amp replaces my Line 6 AX2-212. As much as I loved my AX2 (still a great product), the AX2 will become a back-up, and will probably be collecting dust.

I compared the Valvetronix to the Line 6 Vetta, the Roland VG-7?, the Fender Cybertwin, Marshall 2000 AVT Valvestate. Valvetronix won hands down. It is the leader of the third generation of modeling amps.

Submitted by Tritium at 01/30/2003 21:16

Price Paid: US $899.00

Features: 10
Great stompboxes! I put all of mine away!
Great amp! I wish they would've had it 20 years ago!
I took it out for the first time and everybody's jaw hit the floor!
Everybody kept asking me if it was an AC30 they couldn't believe it!
I love the power It has more than enough for what i need it for! Who needs the foot pedal?

Sound Quality: 10
I use a Fender 52 reissue tele with a jb strat in the middle position and a Austin 335 copy.
I play blues sothern rock and country and this amp kicks ass all over the place. Love the AC30TB and the US Higain amp models

Reliability: 10
No problems yet

Customer Support: N/A
Got it from Guitar Center.Jerks wouldn't give me a manual with it ! won't buy from there again! Had to download it off the web.
other than that i've had no opportunity to contact vox for anything.

Overall Rating: 10
I've been goin at it for almost 30 years and i'd like to say that the ADV120 is the best sounding amp that i've ever owned. I retired my 72 Twin Since i bought it!
I tried the Line 6 and a Johnson and found that the Vox sounded the best.

Submitted by G. Tronsberg at 01/30/2003 17:26

Price Paid: 850 (can$+tx)

Features: 9
You've seen other reviews. Bags of features. Liitle missing except compatibility with proper midi foot controllers. I'll never buy theirs, it works akwardly. FOr the rest, the part power settings are great for different moments: playing home or with the band or live.

Sound Quality: 9
PLaying in a band "against" a JCM900 (other gtr player) and the signer's modified JCM800 (1 added preamp tube for JCM900-like gain: it's actually meaner), the guys were blown away by the sound I get. The other gtr player just bought his MArshall -used- 6 months ago and it cost the same thing! He tries to deny his regrets but I know he'd love playing through my rig!! The tonal versatility, amp modeling is amazing. Must be the one single tube used in their tricky power amp modeling circuitry, but whatever it is, it sounds like the real thing. You gotta push it though. The Master has to be passed 60% at 15, 30 or 60 Watt settings for the amp+speaker combination to really speak out for themselves. You can get clean sounds pretty loud but never as loud as the distorted ones, obviously. Love the Boutique (read Dumble) overdriven sound for GnR type sound with the neck pick-up:hmmmmmm, tasty!

Reliability: N/A
It works! I'll let know know in a couple of years how it's been

Customer Support: 5
First request was very quick. Second one was about their foot controller and I asked for compatibility with other controllers...I am still waiting for a reply. I hate companies who force you to buy their accessories: if it's the best, I'll buy it so work your #@$-off to make it the best out there (like the amp) and I'll buy it. Until then, gimme compatibility.

Overall Rating: 9
I can't give it a ten, nothing's perfrect on god's great earth but let me tell you, if you play rock'n'roll (I can't comment for other genres) it's he best amp if you play covers and diiferent bands with different sounds. You'll never get that from Line6'o'plastic solide state-of-the-crap sound. It's cheaper than a line6 (the top end ones) and it has a tube and a Celestion Speaker. What else do you need? 50000$ to buy the real amps but who's a rock star here?

Submitted by Gab Sevens at 01/27/2003 13:20

Price Paid: N/A

Features: N/A

Sound Quality: N/A

Reliability: N/A

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 10
Please take note to my review on 1/21/03, That every amp/combo that I was seriously comparing for purchase was entirely tube EXCEPT the VOX hybrid. THAT ALONE SHOULD SAY SOMETHING. I tried All the other hybrids including some marshall models and the other varios solid state modeling amps and POO-POOED them just as quickly for their somewhat lackluster performances. Hope this helps someone. Thanx Keith.

Submitted by Anonymous at 01/26/2003 07:34

Price Paid: US $1100 w/ VC-4 controller

Features: 9
Go to the Vox site for specs. I love the features. I just go to the gig, plug in and rock! Little prep stuff needs to be done for each program you decide to use but the tone is perfect. The only down side is that you can not mix amp models.

Sound Quality: 10
I use a couple of PRS's, Strat, and an Ernie Ball Axis. This amp is perfect for every style!!! Low noise except on models with high gain like a boogie or Hiwatt type. All the effects are amazingly professional!

Reliability: 10
I have not had one problem with it and have owned it for a year. The amps SN# is 0940 which means it is one of the first off the line and not a problem!

Customer Support: N/A
N/A

Overall Rating: 10
This amp is almost perfect. I owned the Line 6 Vetta for a week and was so disapointed that I swore never to go modeler again but this Vox is so amazing!!!

Submitted by Stephen Tietjen at 01/23/2003 09:21

Price Paid: US $799.00

Features: 10
Amp made in '02 by our Korean friends @ Vox/Korg. Been playing longer than most of you Kids been alive 30+ yrs. VERSATILITY!!!! This bad boy ain't no one trick pony. Seriously, I do most types of music Rock,Metal,Blues and Jazz. Used to gig in younger days have recorded and now play for my own enjoyment. Needless to say, I've owned A LOT of different types of equipment and this Amp is equal to ANYTHING on the market PAST OR PRESENT. Being a Mastercraftsman by trade I can't believe some of the stuff written in previous reviews that is eroneous. First of all who said this thing isn't made of Birch Ply? Furthermore, even if it Wasn't Who said MDF is a Lousy thing to build a speaker enclosure out of? (I guess about 5000 speaker manufacturers and acoustic techs must be wrong about acoustic properties of this material! plus the shits strong enough to build houses out of.) 'Nuff said. THE SPEAKERS IN THIS AMP ARE DESIGNED TO BE NEUTRAL IN COLORATION!, why change them? You just added tonation that was not intended. If you want more volume, (this amp has plenty) Add the AD212 Extension cabinet you will be amazed or MIKE THE AMP!!! DUH.
I DEFY ANY COMPETENT PLAYER TO DO A BLIND TEST (THIS AMP AGAINST A TUBE AMP) AND TELL ME WHICH IS WHICH. Effects? more than you can use, do wish however there was a provision for more than one pedal effect at a time. I solved this by adding a Vox Wah to the mix. It Screams. If you are reading this review then you allready know all the specs anyways. Love this Amp. It warrants serious consideration. If you are a Metalhead and need to peel paint BUY A MARSHALL anyone else, give it a try. Of course my First was a Vox Buckingham (1967) so I'm a Tad sentimental about Vox stuff anyways.

Sound Quality: 10
Currently Using A Schecter C1 Classic That I rewired with a more conventional 3-way Telecaster switch in order to get Both Humbuckers on full in middle position with out any cutsy coil tap positions. Seymours (Real Ones!) JB in Bridge, '59 in neck. Combined with this amp is awesome. IT DOES EVERYTHING WELL From Crunch of UK's to Tube sag of '59 Fender. Hell, This things TWIN is cleaner than a REAL TWIN!
Yes this amp has some noise WHY? Because it EXACTLY REPRODUCES all of the modeled amplifiers characteristics. That includes all feedback loops A A/B amp class switching, rectifier hum EVERYTHING! And if you don't like that much realism it has noise reduction. ITS CLEAN ALL THE WAY UP AND ITS AS DIRTY AS YOU CAN STAND IT ALL THE WAY UP.

Reliability: N/A
Only had it Six months Can't tell yet. I'm still experimenting with its limits.

Customer Support: 8
I've never had a problem with the folks at Vox or With Korg with Various Marshalls. In fact, I've never had very much in the way of problems with any equipment I've owned. Just Lucky I guess.

Overall Rating: 10
Been Playing 32yrs. This is my only amp at present but got my eye on AC30 and cabinet to string into this rig. YES I WOULD DEFINATELY PURCHASE THIS AMP AGAIN. In fact I may just run 2 of these together. I compared this amp to everything in the one to +two thousand range and featurewise, portability, ease of use, and TUBE AMP SOUND this was it. IN final analysis my choice was between Mesa Boogie F100, Marshall DSL100/1960A, Marshall tsl122, Fender Twin and the Vox. VOX WON! Love it so far still wish for 2 pedals @ same time though.

Submitted by Keith at 01/21/2003 16:25

Price Paid: US $699.00

Features: 9
I have had my Vox Valvetronix Amplifier for about 6 months now.. and I orignally bought it for a little of $699.00 Brand new... Which was a much bigger insentive to buy the Amp (what a steal). Now that I own it... I LOVE IT!!! It has pretty great features on the Amp... the only thing that I dislike about this amp is the "tap" function... However this seems to be the case with almost all of the digital effects out there today. I wish there was a knob instead... It would make life much easier! Great Amp overall, however.

Sound Quality: 9
With its 2 Celestions... It could bring a house down. I believe its an incredibly reliable amp. And when you turn it on, with the toggle switch (An awesome touch) It takes a while to "boot up," just like how when u turn on a Hammond organ or turn it off, you can hear the note that is being held, wind up or wind down. A great touch

Reliability: 10
I have not had a problem with the amp at all. I have owned it for 6 months as well, and since I bought it, my other amp (*cough cough Fender cough cough*) has broken down numerous times. It is very dependable.

Customer Support: 9
My warranty is I believe 3 years or something like that... I am not too sure on that, However I bought an extended warranty which would fix my amp or replace it free of charge, and provide me with a spare amp of the same make, until I get mine repaired, courtesy of Dadddy's Junky Music, Inc.

Overall Rating: 10
I think this a great amp, period. I would suggest it to anyone who is willing to make this sort of investment.

Submitted by Adam Karian at 01/16/2003 10:35

Price Paid: 1060 (euro)

Features: 10
Digital Modeling amp with two 12AX7 tubes in the power stage(valve reactor technology).It emulates 16 famous amps,some famous pedals,modulation,delay and reverb equipment.4 channels in 8 banks,tuner.It's equipped with two custom voiced celestion 80 Watts.I bought it with the footcontroller that is optional actually

Sound Quality: 9
I play a Gibson Les Paul Standard '01 with original pickups and an Epiphone SG. I play almost everything comes from England's 90's years:Oasis,Blur,Travis,Supergrass,Stereophonics.It obviously suits this style coz' there are all the amps that made famous these bands:marshall,vox and fender. There's a wide choice of sound in each amp selected,i believe that they studied a lot dynamics and reactivness of the original,every knob plays an active role changing the sound as on the originals.I've been really impressed by the reproduction of Fender(named tweed 1x12)and Dumble Special Overdrive(named Boutique OD)for their great creamy distortion. It's possible to obtain clean tones just turning down gain knob and pump the volume(as the originals..),the most fascinating in this case is the Vox AC30TB(named AC30TB).I like the pedals too,tube od in particular. As i read on the other reviews there's something wrong with flanger and rotating speaker(in modulation sector)they're very loud also if u turn level knob all the way down,not well mixed(i'm quite lucky because i don't need them but that's a pity anyway...). There is so much distortion in some amps (US HIGAIN,RECTO)that u could have feedback with the amp in dining room and guitar in the toilet...

Reliability: N/A
It has never broken down but i own it just since a month.

Customer Support: N/A
never dealt with them....but i am a little bit scared here in Italy...will they fix any problem in the correct way?

Overall Rating: 9
I was looking for an AC30 but i couldn't get it for it's price and volume problems: it'd be quite impossible to obtain amp's crunchy notes at low volumes so diverted my opinion to this beautiful toy. I'll play my first gig with the new amp in a week.It just well impressed other members of my band on rehearsal last week.I'm waiting for crowd reaction!!

Submitted by Jacopo from Italy at 01/07/2003 07:57