VOX | Discussion Forums » VOX Amplifiers » VR Series AC30VR & AC15VR
Hi, I just joined today, great forum!
I have a VR30 I bought recently, was still sitting new on the dealer's floor and I got a great deal because he wanted to move it out. I absolutely love it :D
I was thrilled to find out that VOX introduced the AC VR amps, looks like a good deal for us poor guitarists on a budget. Was just wondering though, if anybody has played both amps and could comment on how good of a match the two would be as a stereo pair running off a stereo chorus or something like that, or maybe piggybacked together.
There are a couple of small clubs we play where the VR30 is fine by itself but I think it would be nice to have a mate for it for the medium sized rooms.
thanks
I just received my ac15vr and cranked it up last night and found that it has a lot umph under the hood. Cant imagine how much louder the ac30vr is but I'm sure it would rattle some walls.
It would be really valuable for those of us out in the wilderness to have an idea of the relative volume of the AC15VR and the AC30VR vs. perhaps the AC15 and AC30. .
In a quick reply to relative volume;
It takes about 5X the output to sound twice as loud.
In terms of DB levels.
So for the AC15 to sound 2x louder you would need aprox 75 Watts of true RMS output.
Not exactly. A doubling of output power yields only a 3db increase in volume. So, if you begin with 1 watt, and a speaker with a 91db sensitivity, it would progress such: 1-91, 2-94, 4-97, 8-100, 16-103, 32-106. You can see that to truly double your volume, as measured in 'db', you would need one monster of an amp indeed!!! So, the 75w amp is, in fact, only 6-7db louder than the 15w amp.
But, more to the point, normally 30w in a tube amp is much louder than 30w in a s/s amp. (Compare a VT30 to an AC30CC, for instance, not much comparison.) Vox has hinted that the AC30VR and the AC15VR were designed so that their output would approximate that of their "true tube" cousins. I am with lusthaben... I'm waiting for someone to confirm that is indeed the case. At that point... I run out and find one to demo!
Nice explanation Javert, also remember you can also increase the ( DB's ) output by using a more sensitive speaker. For example as Javert has explained twice the power = 3db, but that doesn't mean you need to get those 3db's from the amp. If in Javert's example above you increase the sensitivity of the speaker by 3db to a 94db speaker, you would theoretically be just as loud as a 30w amp.
Speaker sensitivities are usually rated at 1w/1m. So you know what your current speakers is you can make a pretty good choice, for example the Vox/Celestion Blue is rated at 100db 1w/1m.
I understand that speakers make a difference. . .however, I loooove the fact that the AC15VR / AC30VR are so light! But if they don't produce the volume of their tube older brothers, that's just a fact to consider. And it's probably also possible to upgrade the speakers in those amps, soooo. .
Now I am doing something unusual so I need to have volume from my vox ac whatever to keep pace with another amp that is 100 watts of loud. .
I work for a Vox dealer and have compared them already. The VR series of the AC15 and AC30 are very close in output from what I can tell. We have a soundproof [haha] amp room and we test these amps out for our own interest. I ended up buying the AC15VR. The AC30VR is freakin' loud and really more than I need at an actual club gig. We do mic our amps. If you're playing in a band that does not mic and playing at high decibels, but the 30.
Oh yes....these new AC 15VR and 30 amps will bury the VT30 class. No contest! The tone is 100 percent better!
It makes me happy to read of this. . .all the best, Chaz. .
Got me to thinkin.....dang it! I A/B ed the two amps today again and returned my AC15VR! It sounded kind of boxy on the clean setting and distorted to fast, but still much better than the VT30 amp. The AC30VR shines on the clean setting and can cover that twangy chicken pickin' sound. Close to a Fender Twin, but warmer. We won't even talk about the dirty channel as it's stellar and if it's good enough for Brian May...
This amp offers seperate E.Q. for each channel with MIDs and this is not offered on the AC15 model. The AC15 is a closed back cabinet where the AC30 is open and gives a full warm sound with better low end. I've played the full tube version and thought the AC15 sounded great, but lacked a little bit in the power department. Spend the extra bucks and get the AC30. It's also close in weight to the AC15 and is loaded with Celestions. I really do think this amp is going to win some awards! 50 lbs and three handles on the top for easy loading. I do have a small two wheel hand cart that will travel with this amp since there are no wheels. I've always wanted an AC30 and this one really fits the bill!
Oh yes....what I meant by comparing these amps and being close...I meant that the VR series of the AC15 and 30 have the same output as their all tube series. If you need an amp to keep up with the 100 watt transistor amps, the AC30 will cut through the scooped mid sounds of any Line 6, Randall or Peavey amp and leave your buddies with a bad case of Vox envy.
And now matey, please do a video review of the AC30VR and post it on YouTube. :D
Might be something I could do in the near future. I'm working into a new band and tight for time. This could be fun! One thing I have posted that you can listen to and don't laugh... I used a Vox Amplug on a blues scratch track and everybody thinks I'm using a vintage amplifier! I kid you not, on the opening lead riffs and main guitar sections were done with the Vox Amplug "Lead" series straight into the recording deck. The tracks are labeled blues 1, 2 and 3 at www.myspace.com/chazzsinger
I played and sang on all the tracks save the drums and they are only demos at this point, but the Amplug turned all the way back on the gain setting delivers an incredible vintage blues sound. Check it out for yourself!
BTW... I used a Les Paul with the Vox Amplug and a Strat plugged into a Vox VT30 and ran out of the headphone jack straight into the recording deck as well. The guitars are easy to tell apart this way. It was late at night and I couldn't mic the guitars and this was only a scratch demo. Otherwise, a cool way to run both these units. Enjoy!
Chaz that was awesome. I just listened to Blues 1. Terrific sound, great playing and singing!
The solo on You shook me (Blues 2) is played on a Strat isn't it?? Great sound and playing!
Thanks guys, I'll try to finish these tracks when time allows and repost them. The actual intros and outros are on the Les Paul with the Vox Amplug. The solos in the middle are with a Squire Vintage Vibe Strat (60's version) played through a Vox VT30 via the headphone plug straight into the recording deck. These tracks were mixed using headphones which is a big no-no, so listen with headphones if possible.
i was thinking of buying a vr30 used for $130 that i found.
i was going to build a closed back 2x12 cab with vox bulldog century alnicos.
is the vr30 chassis as good sounding and as loud as the ac30vr chassis,or am i wasting my time and money and should just be buying the ac15vr or ac30vr?
I want a VR30! mainly because it is smaller and lighter weight. If you decide not to get that one could you message me the details about where it is?
