paisleywookiee
Goatlord
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- 10,040
Not sure where to put this, really. Could easily have fallen into Digital and Modeling.
Another entry into the modeler power amp market.
Victory PowerValve 200 - for preamps/modelers
- Thread starter paisleywookiee
- Start date
Not sure where to put this, really. Could easily have fallen into Digital and Modeling.
Another entry into the modeler power amp market.
Desertdweller
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,773
What a great idea, using a preamp tube that you can turn off if you want to to drive a SS power amp. Victory is an awesome and underrated company that makes great amps.
laxu
Rock Star
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- 8,855
Seems underpowered, only 50W at 16 ohm.
At this price, I see zero reason why you shouldn't just spend a bit more on a BluGuitar Amp 1 ME that is smaller, lighter and should have higher output power. Plus it's a full amp. BluGuitar is sketchy about their real specs but the Amp 1 is actually rated as if it's a 100W tube amp. I've measured it at 3 dB louder than a 45W Bogner so that tracks (as the main difference between 50 and 100W is headroom rather than volume).
At this price, I see zero reason why you shouldn't just spend a bit more on a BluGuitar Amp 1 ME that is smaller, lighter and should have higher output power. Plus it's a full amp. BluGuitar is sketchy about their real specs but the Amp 1 is actually rated as if it's a 100W tube amp. I've measured it at 3 dB louder than a 45W Bogner so that tracks (as the main difference between 50 and 100W is headroom rather than volume).
bucephalus
Roadie
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Support the Captain
GuitarBilly74
Roadie
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- 982
I had the Victory Sheriff pedal amp for a while, which (I think) uses the same tech. It sounded really good at home, but it was underwhelming once I tried it with the band. It was definitely loud enough but lacked punch when compared to either my BluGuitar ME or my Hughes and Kettner Ampman Classic, let alone agaisnt the Marshalls.
But maybe they revised the power amp for this version? That's possible, since it'sa new unit.
I'll keep an eye out for the reviews on this one, I like this type of gear, at least in concept.
But maybe they revised the power amp for this version? That's possible, since it'sa new unit.
I'll keep an eye out for the reviews on this one, I like this type of gear, at least in concept.
MirrorProfiles
Rock Star
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- 5,521
massive backstar energy
laxu
Rock Star
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- 8,855
Watching that video, it's not a bad sounding product or one with bad features.
It's definitely not something to put on your pedalboard. To me it's something you put on top of a cab instead, dial it your liking and then just forget about it.
But I think it's just a bit expensive, large and yet underpowered. I would not be surprised to find this is literally just another ICEPower module and preamp board crammed into a box.
It's definitely not something to put on your pedalboard. To me it's something you put on top of a cab instead, dial it your liking and then just forget about it.
But I think it's just a bit expensive, large and yet underpowered. I would not be surprised to find this is literally just another ICEPower module and preamp board crammed into a box.
JiveTurkey
Goatlord
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- 23,591
Quilter's are LOUD as well. Very spoiled in that regard compared to other SS amps.
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- 362
I quite like Victory, based on my limited experience with their Kraken. It's a compact yet solid 50-watter that's based off a 5150, but doesn't have that can of bees character.
That said, I don't think I'd be interested in this box as a power amp. It's got a valve in it, but it's not a power tube, so not something I'd want to pair with a modeller as it's likely to colour the tone. And for regular preamps, I think it's underpowered at 200 solid state watts.
Have a feeling that the PS-2 I own would be quite a bit louder.
The $599 price tag also seems (to me) a bit high, as you can get the Seymour Duncan Powerstage 200 (which is also 200w at 4 ohm, 117w at 8 ohm and 50w at 16 ohm) which has output for two speakers, and not just one.
Major difference with the Powerstage is that while the Victory product has resonance, depth and presence, the Seymour Duncan has an EQ and presence controls.
That said, I don't think I'd be interested in this box as a power amp. It's got a valve in it, but it's not a power tube, so not something I'd want to pair with a modeller as it's likely to colour the tone. And for regular preamps, I think it's underpowered at 200 solid state watts.
Have a feeling that the PS-2 I own would be quite a bit louder.
The $599 price tag also seems (to me) a bit high, as you can get the Seymour Duncan Powerstage 200 (which is also 200w at 4 ohm, 117w at 8 ohm and 50w at 16 ohm) which has output for two speakers, and not just one.
Major difference with the Powerstage is that while the Victory product has resonance, depth and presence, the Seymour Duncan has an EQ and presence controls.
paisleywookiee
Goatlord
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- 10,040
Yeah, kinda forgot about that; TB202 is only $120 more, and it’s an amazing power amp for modelers. Not sure what’s in their secret sauce, but it sounds worlds better than a Duncan Powerstage.
bucephalus
Roadie
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- 947
TB202 is actually a really good shout at similar pricing. I still use the FX return of my superblock at home for modellers
JiveTurkey
Goatlord
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User at FAS forum got one of these. Having intermittent output issues and level concerns. Turns out they missed something in the documentation that you need to do at startup:
"In order for the bias circuitry in the PowerValve to be allowed to settle as quickly as possible, we advise the following:
To avoid any start-up instability, please power on your PV200 with the input gain at maximum, headphone level at maximum, all tone controls at 12 o'clock (in the centre detent position) and the output level at zero (7 o'clock).
This allows internal voltages to stabilise quickly so that the PV200 is ready for use within a few seconds.
The online owners manual has now been updated."
forum.fractalaudio.com
Replied there with this same sentiment but I am not doing that. Bullet dodged.
"In order for the bias circuitry in the PowerValve to be allowed to settle as quickly as possible, we advise the following:
To avoid any start-up instability, please power on your PV200 with the input gain at maximum, headphone level at maximum, all tone controls at 12 o'clock (in the centre detent position) and the output level at zero (7 o'clock).
This allows internal voltages to stabilise quickly so that the PV200 is ready for use within a few seconds.
The online owners manual has now been updated."
Victory's New PowerValve 200
Not that you asked for a replacement recommendation, but i have been using the ISP stealth and it has been great. I saw that one! I've heard good things about it. I'll have to try and find one over here in the UK. Thanks for the recommendation!
Replied there with this same sentiment but I am not doing that. Bullet dodged.
GuitarBilly74
Roadie
- Messages
- 982
Victory is defeat.
bucephalus
Roadie
- Messages
- 947
Every time you turn it on? That is faintly ridiculous. Pass.User at FAS forum got one of these. Having intermittent output issues and level concerns. Turns out they missed something in the documentation that you need to do at startup:
"In order for the bias circuitry in the PowerValve to be allowed to settle as quickly as possible, we advise the following:
To avoid any start-up instability, please power on your PV200 with the input gain at maximum, headphone level at maximum, all tone controls at 12 o'clock (in the centre detent position) and the output level at zero (7 o'clock).
This allows internal voltages to stabilise quickly so that the PV200 is ready for use within a few seconds.
The online owners manual has now been updated."
Victory's New PowerValve 200
Not that you asked for a replacement recommendation, but i have been using the ISP stealth and it has been great. I saw that one! I've heard good things about it. I'll have to try and find one over here in the UK. Thanks for the recommendation!
Replied there with this same sentiment but I am not doing that. Bullet dodged.
JiveTurkey
Goatlord
- Messages
- 23,591
From what that thread reads like; yes.
jellodog
Rock Star
- Messages
- 5,162
Wow. Crazy stuff!
Honestly, the unit should prepare itself by doing that internally via a small controller and mute outputs during startup.
JiveTurkey
Goatlord
- Messages
- 23,591
Even if it worked with you turning everything down to '0'; that would at least satisfy my OCD and the fear of blowing your ears off that putting everything on '10' potentially could do. Yikes.
