A lot of guitarists truly love Vox amplifiers, perhaps it is the retro feel, the universally familiar tone or the incontrovertible fact that it's a name that has stood the test of time. Whatever the truth Vox have just released a variety of headphone amps (the Amplug series) and the question is how does the Vox amPlug sound when put next to the remainder of the vox range? This review try to provide an insight into the features of this new release from Vox.
First some specifications:
- Available in a selection of tones including: Rock, Metal and authentic AC30
- Consists of 100% analogue circuit
- 1 pound/3.2 ounces
- 2 AAA batteries required
- Japanese made
Positive reviews of the Vox AmPlug
Most important things first, how does it sound and how does it rate when compared to the Vox line of amplifiers. Well in all truth it sounds superb and remarkably similar to the Vox AC30 (*please note the model we review here is the AC30). I'd put this down to the analogue circuitry, there is not any digital to be found in this amplifier and in my opinion this makes the amplifier much more responsive to the nuances of your playing. If you back of a little the amplifier responds alternatively if you attack the strings a touch more you get a nice snarl to your tone that may truly only be comparable by an analogue amp.
Is it any good for recording?
It has just the single headphone input which limits things to a certain degree as far as recording goes but you can plug straight from the headphone jack into your recording gear so this should not truly stop you. It is more than appropriate for home recording but take care you really do need the batteries close to totally charged to get the best out of this amplifier. Once the batteries begin to get down a little the tone does lose quality.
Think about another practice amp if:
- You want something a little more strong. The only real downside to the Amplug AC30 is the device itself feels a little inexpensively made.
- You require a line out as well as headphone out.
- It can get a little noisy as the output is a little low which can force you to make the amp strain more than it should for recording.
- The batteries have to be fresh to get the very best out of it.
First some specifications:
- Available in a selection of tones including: Rock, Metal and authentic AC30
- Consists of 100% analogue circuit
- 1 pound/3.2 ounces
- 2 AAA batteries required
- Japanese made
Positive reviews of the Vox AmPlug
Most important things first, how does it sound and how does it rate when compared to the Vox line of amplifiers. Well in all truth it sounds superb and remarkably similar to the Vox AC30 (*please note the model we review here is the AC30). I'd put this down to the analogue circuitry, there is not any digital to be found in this amplifier and in my opinion this makes the amplifier much more responsive to the nuances of your playing. If you back of a little the amplifier responds alternatively if you attack the strings a touch more you get a nice snarl to your tone that may truly only be comparable by an analogue amp.
Is it any good for recording?
It has just the single headphone input which limits things to a certain degree as far as recording goes but you can plug straight from the headphone jack into your recording gear so this should not truly stop you. It is more than appropriate for home recording but take care you really do need the batteries close to totally charged to get the best out of this amplifier. Once the batteries begin to get down a little the tone does lose quality.
Think about another practice amp if:
- You want something a little more strong. The only real downside to the Amplug AC30 is the device itself feels a little inexpensively made.
- You require a line out as well as headphone out.
- It can get a little noisy as the output is a little low which can force you to make the amp strain more than it should for recording.
- The batteries have to be fresh to get the very best out of it.
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