Vox AC15VR

Our small band use this amplifier for backup but often also when we not wishing to carry around our main amplifier a very old Vox AC30. Also have Marshall MG50FX and Roland Cube 80XL.
This our favourite amplifier after Vox AC30.

We make funk, grunge and fusion metal music and use only delay and OD pedal.

Almost it is that we do not miss the AC30. Only big difference is sound when volume is turned upside.

At low and medium volume very little difference. Our amp was buyed secondhand and was used much by our friends who owned him before. They also not have problem of any type.

No problem with no effects loop because AC30 also do not have.

Yes Reverb is problem but my friend changed reverb unit and now much better.

I very much recommend amp. All my friends and audiance also like very much.

Its actually a very versatile amp that can do almost any sound. It took me a while to stumble upon this amp. I have had many amps before including Marshall MG15, Roland Cube 30X, Roland Cube 80XL, Vox VT40+ and Blackstar ID30. My dad has a Blackstar HT40.

I had been looking for a while for a secondhand AC15 but never found one that was either within my price range or good enough in condition or near enought o where I live.

Anyway I had seen this lots of times in stores and had always for some reason overlooked it but finally while auditioning an AC10 I decided to try this as well.

I can say that I was quite blown away by this amp. It sounds like an AC10 or AC15. It doesnt go as loud and is missing some of the uncomfortably sharp treble on the AC15 but I turn that down anyway. What it has is an extra overdrive channel that gives harder distortion so its almost like buying this amp and a Boss DS1 pedal.

I use it to play lead sections for EDM that I am writing and for jamming with friends.

In a home/garage jamming situation it stacks up very well with the Blackstar. It is not as versatile as the Blackstar but it has a signature sound that the Blackstar lacks.

I love all the sounds and feel I can get good sounds across the range.

It is not exactly like a Vox AC15 but then an AC4 isnt either and neither is an AC10. For that matter the AC15 is not like the AC30. But it is definitely very much in the ballpark.

I have used all the modellers including the Blackstar ID30 and also a Catlinbread pedal that is supposed to emulate the AC15 sound.

I can tell you unequivocally that the AC15VR comes far closer to that sound than anything short of the real thing.

Having said that in many ways it is far more useable. I can get better sounds at very quiet bedroom levels than on the tube amps. And it definitely sounds very much like a tube amp.

Its also lighter and turns on quicker.

I dont particularly like the reverb which is really quite subtle. I am thinking of upgrading the unit inside with the stronger version as soon as the warranty runs out.

Anyway take it from me. This is a lovely amp that can hold its own against amps double the price and for this price it is a steal. I cannot understand what some of the reviewers on this site are writing about it.

This is basically the bottom dwelling Vox Ac15. This thing is called the Valve reactor technology which mean you supposedly get the same tone with less tubes and less weight. So it is basically a hybrid amp with solid state or digital and tubes as well. I cut through all the bull crap...this sounds like a cheaper Vox practice amp in the size of a regular Ac15. Nothing has changed in size but the amps sounds similar to the $100-300 Vox amp modelers or practice amps.


Vox AC15VR 15-watt, 1x12" Combo Guitar Amplifier Features at a Glance:

15-watt, 1x12" combo amplifier with Valve Reactor technology
Much of the feel and dynamic range of a tube amp - without the extra cost and weight
2-channel design delivers classic to modern tones
Volume, Treble, and Bass controls on the "Normal" channel
Volume, Treble, Mid, and Bass controls on the "Overdrive" channel
Reverb and Master Volume controls
Features an external 8-ohm speaker jack (mutes the internal speakers)
1 x 12" VX12 Celestion custom speaker

UTILIZATION

Details
Type Hybrid
Number of Channels 2
Power 15W
Speakers 1 x 12" VS12 Celestion
Effects No
Reverb Yes
EQ Treble, Bass
No Amp Modeling
Preamp Tubes No Preamp Tube
Power Tubes 1 x 12AX7
Inputs 1 x Instrument
Outputs 1 x Speaker
Footswitch I/O
No Effects Loop
Height 17.95"
Width 23.7"
Depth 10.43"
Weight 36.16 lbs.

SOUNDS

They have this new modern nu metal tone in here that sounds nothing like a Vox. If you are looking into getting a Vox Ac15 because your favorite player uses one, this is not what they are playing. If you are a Brian May fan or an Edge fan they would never play this amp. I suggest you save a bit more cash and get a used real Ac30.

The tone of this amp still sounds like a cheap solid state amp that has no character or feel in the tone. There is no warmth or smooth tube tone to this amp. Even though it has a preamp tube in the power section this thing doesn't even remotely sound like an AC15.

OVERALL OPINION

This is a big pass for me. The amp sounds sterile and thin much like a solid state amp should sound like...garbage! Don't waste you money on this amp.

At new these amps come in at around $380, which is about $300 over priced. You are paying for an extra speaker and a logo that looks like a Vox Ac15. This is not an AC15 by any means.

Hybrid technology: transistor amp, with a lamp in the preamp section. 15 Watts. Bowl 12 "in a closed cabinet.
4 sections:
Master: Volume, Reverb
EQ: Bass - Treble
Overdrive: Volume / Gain Switches OD1 / OD2
Normal: Volume
one input
The rear outlet, external speaker and footswitch
On paper, the amp seems very well designed ...

UTILIZATION

... Alas, on paper only.
In practice settings are ineffective, inconsistent reverb, treble very aggressive when you push the button (to let you sell your guitar!), Low non-existent, even at full setting.
Where are the legendary Vox interactive settings which allow to refine its sound playing on the interactions Bass Treble like the AC15 (true)?

SOUNDS

I get the sound? In short: Never!
In overdrive, it can deceive, but soon tired of this texture without consistency.
Still the lack of bass. Bandwidth is as truncated. In summary: this amp is pure crap,

OVERALL OPINION

Do not be fooled by the logo and Vox AC15 reference.
Under the label of quality VOX, we'll flog you the equivalent of a PA amplifier for cattle fair (I have nothing against the cattle dealers - Ed).
The amp is the AC15 AC15VR tube that Denis's mother is the Queen of England.
In this sense, given the similarity of names, it is at the limit of the industrial scam.
Gentlemen marketing-men who have laid this crap, you deserve to get the dole!