Practice amp?

[the rossness]

I've got a vox Valvetronix VT40+ I've been using as my practice/ bedroom amp and I'm growing tired of it and want to replace it. How do the small SS and digital amps stack up?
I didn't like the boss katana or L6 spider whatever. I liked the PV vypyr. Actually thought it had nice headroom for cleans and did a marshall tone pretty well, which most SS amps can't do.
How does BIAS compare to the Vypyr? And maybe a stupid question, but how does the AX8 compare? Is it worth the extra dough, or can I get away with the Vyper or bias sims?

Thanks~

 

[indespise]

I have a Vypyr VIP 2 that I'm super happy with. My only real complaint is that the built in gate is too slow on the front end, so I use a Boss NS-2 with it. Amp sims are a great tool to have available, but I would have to be pretty broke to be content with playing through one instead of an actual amp. Haven't played an AX8, but you're talking a world of difference in terms of price.

 

[gtr31]

What about the Ironheart studio in your sig ?

The AX8 is amazing but a lot to spend for practice ,its more likely to be a main setup , yes it is that good IMO

The Yamaha THR10X is a great sounding portable lill amp that is perfect for jamming out on the couch

 

[sleewell2]

I practice with a hotone heart attack. The important part is practicing and getting better, you don't have to spend thousands.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

The Marshall MG series make great practice amps and sound good, actually will get real tube sounding feedback.

 

[paulyc]

+1 on the Marshall MG

 

[RedB4Black]

I have an AX8 and two Alto TS212 powered speakers I use for low-volume, late night playing. It serves pretty much as a practice amp when I can't play my tube amps. It's great, but pricey compared to a cheap combo. Definitely sounds better though for what I use it for. I bought them after cashing out an Axe FX XL+,MFC and 2 Atomic CLRs. It sounds just as good at a fraction of the price. The leftover $ went toward a real amplifier.

 

[bish0p34]

What don't you like about the Vox? I use a VT80+ at home, and I thought it was far better than the Vypyr or any Line 6 that I've tried.

As mentioned above, it's only a practice amp for self improvement.

 

[the rossness]

What don't you like about the Vox? I use a VT80+ at home, and I thought it was far better than the Vypyr or any Line 6 that I've tried.

As mentioned above, it's only a practice amp for self improvement.

I pretty much only use one setting for rock, which is UK Metal ( orange mode). I don't like the cleans at all. I recently picked up a L6 Variax and hate how it sounds clean through the amp.

 

[the rossness]

What about the Ironheart studio in your sig ?

The AX8 is amazing but a lot to spend for practice ,its more likely to be a main setup , yes it is that good IMO

The Yamaha THR10X is a great sounding portable lill amp that is perfect for jamming out on the couch

I had a thr10x a bunch of years ago and sold it like two weeks later. USB out sounds great the headphones or speakers sound crappy.

Of all my amps, the Laney gets the least use. I'm a little tired of it too. If I got the Axe/ AX8 I'd be selling the laney. For low volume stuff, its really not the greatest thing in the world.

the MG is a no, I'd take my vox over it.

 

[paulyc]

I suggested the MG because it's a practice amp... I know tons of guys that use them for practicing, including myself... it's cheap, small, portable, and it sounds killer compared to the Crate and Peavey shit I and my friends had when we were kids. I also have a Traynor YGM III with a single 12 and Reverb in it that I use with an MXR 5150 OD that sounds pretty great too considering how cheap it was, all I did was pull the stock speaker and replace it with a Celestion Alnico Blue I had kicking around...check Pete Thorn's demo of the 5150 OD to get an idea of how that sounds played into a clean tube amp, the Traynor is all tube with Reverb and sounds really good with the 5150 pedal.

 

[Smac77]

I have an AX8 and two Alto TS212 powered speakers I use for low-volume, late night playing. It serves pretty much as a practice amp when I can't play my tube amps. It's great, but pricey compared to a cheap combo. Definitely sounds better though for what I use it for. I bought them after cashing out an Axe FX XL+,MFC and 2 Atomic CLRs. It sounds just as good at a fraction of the price. The leftover $ went toward a real amplifier.

are you happy with the alto's ? i'm looking at powered speakers and they are pretty affordable

 

[RedB4Black]

I have an AX8 and two Alto TS212 powered speakers I use for low-volume, late night playing. It serves pretty much as a practice amp when I can't play my tube amps. It's great, but pricey compared to a cheap combo. Definitely sounds better though for what I use it for. I bought them after cashing out an Axe FX XL+,MFC and 2 Atomic CLRs. It sounds just as good at a fraction of the price. The leftover $ went toward a real amplifier.

are you happy with the alto's ? i'm looking at powered speakers and they are pretty affordable

Yeah man. They're great. I had a pair of Atomic CLRs before and these definitely hang with them for a lot less $

 

[Smac77]

I have an AX8 and two Alto TS212 powered speakers I use for low-volume, late night playing. It serves pretty much as a practice amp when I can't play my tube amps. It's great, but pricey compared to a cheap combo. Definitely sounds better though for what I use it for. I bought them after cashing out an Axe FX XL+,MFC and 2 Atomic CLRs. It sounds just as good at a fraction of the price. The leftover $ went toward a real amplifier.

are you happy with the alto's ? i'm looking at powered speakers and they are pretty affordable

Yeah man. They're great. I had a pair of Atomic CLRs before and these definitely hang with them for a lot less $

i'm on the really cheap side right now with an eleven rack... Sounds terrible through anything but headphones right now... Even with cabs sims off. Powered speaker seems the only way to go with that unit. In fairness, i haven't sat down with it to really try and dial it in. Altos might be the ticket to get me motivated.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I have an AX8 and two Alto TS212 powered speakers I use for low-volume, late night playing. It serves pretty much as a practice amp when I can't play my tube amps. It's great, but pricey compared to a cheap combo. Definitely sounds better though for what I use it for. I bought them after cashing out an Axe FX XL+,MFC and 2 Atomic CLRs. It sounds just as good at a fraction of the price. The leftover $ went toward a real amplifier.

are you happy with the alto's ? i'm looking at powered speakers and they are pretty affordable

Yeah man. They're great. I had a pair of Atomic CLRs before and these definitely hang with them for a lot less $

I've been reading up on the Alto's. If you said that on TGP you'd kick up dust storm of controversy!

 

[Racerxrated]

I don't know man. For just low volume practice? Go cheap cheap cheap. If you like the Peavey just grab another, I know they sound pretty good. Bought one for my kid way back. Or the MG...If you go AX8 then it should be an investment for you as a big rig that also plays well at low volumes.

I honestly use my Jubilee 2555 and SLO at whisper volumes and have no complaints. Of course they are better loud, but the master volumes on both amps are great.

 

[mniel8195]

I am using a boss katatna. The smallest combo amp they offer. Sounds great on the clean channel with the BE OD I front.

 

[alan67]

What about the Ironheart studio in your sig ?

The AX8 is amazing but a lot to spend for practice ,its more likely to be a main setup , yes it is that good IMO

The Yamaha THR10X is a great sounding portable lill amp that is perfect for jamming out on the couch

I had a thr10x a bunch of years ago and sold it like two weeks later. USB out sounds great the headphones or speakers sound crappy.

Of all my amps, the Laney gets the least use. I'm a little tired of it too. If I got the Axe/ AX8 I'd be selling the laney. For low volume stuff, its really not the greatest thing in the world.

the MG is a no, I'd take my vox over it.

For "practice" I love the THR.......

 

[nevusofota]

Currently in the same situation. I'm tired of my Line 6 Flextone for practice and want something even more portable. I was thinking about trying an iPad interface with bias or amplitude but am hesitant as I didn't like the feel and latency in the past. With some research I found the Hotone micro amps that have great reviews. Found one at GC used for $60 so I thought I'd try it with my Friedman BE-OD. It sounds great. Has great feel and touch. I decided to pair it with my Tascam MP3/trainer and make a small portable practice station. The Tascam also has decent effects and can download songs and backing tracks to play along with. It sounds killer through headphones and powered monitors.

 

[Zachman]

I got this thing for $20