I actually was a fan of the vh2. I don't think it is the best amp in the world, but i think it had a good sound and feel. I don't think it was dead. Maybe a bit of a smooth gain. But all in all, if it were the only amp i had, I wouldn't be pissed. maybe the middle ground between a twin jet and avenger.
Where is your ch volume at? I get that the original 5150 did not have a master, but those amps were great at regular loud volumes. This Inv 120 sounds putrid until the ch volume is above 3 oclock/ near max, making it damn near impossible to max the master volume without an attenuator.
Everyone should have a good recto in their arsenal imo. Nothing else has the same throaty growl like the orange channel on the early revisions. You might also like the Badlander. I’ve kept mine still for about a year now
The Driftwood is a great amp but probably not worth the $3-4K price range. I really want to try an Omega myself and may just end up ordering one and waiting however long it takes. The Neural DSP omega plugin is pretty impressive. I run it through a tube poweramp into cabs to get the best result. I’ve seen comparison videos and it seems pretty close. I’ve never played or heard a Wizard in person but from what I’ve heard it’s an ear opening experience. Hard for me to commit the $4K+ without playing one first. Moral of the story is that the driftwood is fantastic but I wouldn’t drop the money they are commanding.
I was disappointed with the Omega obsidian I tried multiple times compared to my amps. I remember it sounding dry, kinda stiff, not very organic, nothing about it that was particularly unique or like this huge wow factor to me, but as a whole I guess sounded “good/nice” not great and not as pricy as other amps I guess
My Omega Granophyre is my favorite high gain amp I've ever owned. The Grano and Obsidian are a touch different in sound and feel so if you can try a Grano, I highly recommend it. It's a bit more raw and aggressive. More upper mids than the lower mid focus of the Obsidian and is in no way dry or stiff IMO.
The Granophyre would be interesting to try if I get a chance. I heard from someone who knows inside stuff that the Granophyre might be somewhat modeled after the Cameron Atomica, so if that’s the case it definitely would be the complete opposite of dry and stiff and more aggressive like you said. My only reservation would be that given the more inorganic/filtered nature of the Obsidian if the Granophyre also is that way. I’m very picky about that attribute and it seems to just be how most non-vintage gear sounds, but I always am interested in trying stuff I haven’t yet
I work for Omega Ampworks and the Granophyre circuit is absolutely nothing like an Atomica circuit.
Ok fair enough. Appreciate the clarification. Would be cool to try one. Out of curiosity, is it at all a Marshall-y flavor or like any Jose mod?
I'm not at all familiar with Marshall style amps since I haven't really went down that rabbit hole but a buddy of mine told me he thinks the Granophyre is "Marshally". I've also said that to other users to see what they thought and they said no not really. So tbh I don't know what it's based off of but I know I love it, haha.
