Vypyr Tube models

[zepplin490]

Ive been looking at the Vypyr Tube models and recently have played some on the 75 watt solid state model and have been very impressed with the solid state model, has some really good tones for a SS amp, and with all of those amp models is quite versatile. So I know that the Tube models have a single 12AX7 in the preamp and either 2 or 4 6L6's in the power section so how much does the tone actually improve? I have run rack gear with a SS preamp and a peavey tube power amp and have found that the tone was significantly warmer, I have also owned a Line6 HD100 MKII which has 2 preamp tubes and 4 power amp tubes and was the best sounding modeling amp ive ever heard. All of the amps ive owned for the past couple years have all been all tube amps so im wondering if the Vypyr Tube models will satisfy me.. Whats everyone's opinion on these amps?
Thanks
-MP-
BTW anyone got a vypyr 60 combo or vypyr 120 head they might wanna sell?

[rogue777]

The Tubes do add to the end sound imo, implying, the SS models have their own tone. If the price is right for a Tube Vypyr, don’t let me stop you, get one while you can. Besides the Vypyr Tubes models, owning a Vypyr SS model, it’s not the end of the world. Lots of tones and features.



If you have the time to wait, I might guess, any new VIP models might include Tube models,
not yet released, based on the statement below:

From the VIP thread,,,, Michael Smith, Product Manager for Peavey Electronics stated:
“Are we possibly working on a more high end, professionally driven Vypyr with features designed by
and for gigging guitarists and that might find a place on hundreds of stages around the country.
Of course not. ”

[dalrymple]

I own tube 60, a ss 15, 30 and 75.

Here's how I hear it; The 30 and the 75 are virtually identical in tone, but the larger cab/speaker combo on the 75 gives it a lot more bottom end oomph. IMHO, the best sounding ss amps I've ever used. I jam weekly with the 30, gig with the Tube 60.

The tubes make a huge difference. Not a fan of 6L6's, I have KT66's in mine, but the difference is noticeable and well worth the price difference. Good enough to make me sell my $1400 Supersonic. The Vypyr had better efx built in than I could hook up outboard, was easier to deal with setting up and on stage, and sounded EVERY BIT AS GOOD side by side in repeated taste tests.

SS vypyrs are best in class. The tube versions are simply in another class.
Dalrymple

[zepplin490]

Yeah I have played a few Vypyr Solid State and they are defiantly the best solid state amps around, I owned a few Line 6's which offer a little bit more tweakablity but as far as amp modeling they are no where near as good as the Vypyr's. Ive been checking around and the 60 watt tube models are going for $200-$400 which seems like a really good deal, but the 120 watt head is what i really desire as its got more power and takes up less space and space is really a big concern in my guitar room which already has 3 half stacks with 4 heads and 2 combo's already in there as well as guitars and the floor covered with footswitches. So has peavey said anything about a new series of Tube fired modeling amps? I saw that they just came out with the VIP's but they are SS which goes against my musical religion:) Actually seeing the price of the 120 head I might have to go for a 60, the prices on guitarcenter's website are almost too good to pass up..
-MP-

[Jspencer]

Good lord, Dalrymple! Another beautiful amp customization!

You need your own show on H&G (Home and Guitar stuff) as Dalrymple on Amps

[j_fury68]

I have owned a Vypyr 15 that I modified for stompboxes, a 75 watt and a 100 watt before purchasing my 60 watt. They are all great amps, but the 60 is definitely my favorite. However, When modifying my 15 I learned how much alike these amps are and that I could set the voicing for a particular amp on the front panel board on my 15 watt. I first set it to 75 watt voice and it was too overdriven and cleans were even harsh. Set to the 30 watt seemed to be just right, sounded great. So I am now wondering how a 75 watt switched to 60 watt voicing would sound compared to the 60 watt it's self. Any here off someone trying it. I would but, no longer have my 75 or 100. Wish I had thought of it earlier.

[j_fury68]

That is a show stopper of an amp cover Dalrymple! Did you have to modify the knobs to make them fit?

[deuterium]

I will be a lone voice of caution / dissent.

I just don't get the "point" of the tube versions of the Vypyr. I have expressed my view in previous posts when discussing the tube version.

Look, I love all tube amps, and currently own or have owned some fine examples:

Currently own:
Egnater Rebel 30 Head
Peavey ValveKing 100 Head

Previously owned:
Mesa Boogie Recto-Verb head
Fender Supersonic combo
Marshall Vintage Modern 100w head (still have the VM 4x12 cabinet with special Celestions)

Combine a great all tube amp which has a well designed serial FX loop, and a nice rack effects unit (e.g. Digitech GSP1101) and you have a killer rig for playing loud and proud, and performing at gigs.

However, if the main purpose of a particular amp is for home, practice, then IMHO nothing beats the all solid-state (no tubes) Vypyr...especially the new VIP 3. I have always been impressed with Peavey's TransTube technology (which has been evolving for at least a decade). IMHO, if you are playing a medium to low volumes, there is absolutely no advantage to having an all-tube powerstage. Unless you a using a very good attenuator (e.g. Ultimate Attenuator), you are not pushing the powertubes, and you are not generating any over-drive/distortion from the amp's power-tube stage.

I am not a huge fan of preamp tube distortion. Most modern tube amps are designed with cascading preamp tubes to generate their distortion. I think Peavey's TransTube circuitry provides an accurate emulation of both preamp and poweramp tube distortion...and accomplishes this simulation with all analog circuitry. I think Peavey's TransTube system completely destroys any all digital modeling amp simulation in it's price category. For me, it is not even a contest. Now, don't get me wrong...I am not comparing the VIP series with Fractal Audio's Axe-Fx II or Kemper Audios Profiling Amp. They are an entire order of magnitude greater in expense. But in the $300 and lower price category, the VIP stands apart (again, IMHO).

If you plan on doing legitimate gigging, playing in a band with a loud drummer...or can push the amp at blistering volume levels, then the "tube"-based Vypyr amps make sense. If you are using the amp for practice and home playing, then I say forget about the tubes.

[j_fury68]

I will be a lone voice of caution / dissent.

I just don't get the "point" of the tube versions of the Vypyr. I have expressed my view in previous posts when discussing the tube version.

Look, I love all tube amps, and currently own or have owned some fine examples:

Currently own:
Egnater Rebel 30 Head
Peavey ValveKing 100 Head

Previously owned:
Mesa Boogie Recto-Verb head
Fender Supersonic combo
Marshall Vintage Modern 100w head (still have the VM 4x12 cabinet with special Celestions)

Combine a great all tube amp which has a well designed serial FX loop, and a nice rack effects unit (e.g. Digitech GSP1101) and you have a killer rig for playing loud and proud, and performing at gigs.

However, if the main purpose of a particular amp is for home, practice, then IMHO nothing beats the all solid-state (no tubes) Vypyr...especially the new VIP 3. I have always been impressed with Peavey's TransTube technology (which has been evolving for at least a decade). IMHO, if you are playing a medium to low volumes, there is absolutely no advantage to having an all-tube powerstage. Unless you a using a very good attenuator (e.g. Ultimate Attenuator), you are not pushing the powertubes, and you are not generating any over-drive/distortion from the amp's power-tube stage.

I am not a huge fan of preamp tube distortion. Most modern tube amps are designed with cascading preamp tubes to generate their distortion. I think Peavey's TransTube circuitry provides an accurate emulation of both preamp and poweramp tube distortion...and accomplishes this simulation with all analog circuitry. I think Peavey's TransTube system completely destroys any all digital modeling amp simulation in it's price category. For me, it is not even a contest. Now, don't get me wrong...I am not comparing the VIP series with Fractal Audio's Axe-Fx II or Kemper Audios Profiling Amp. They are an entire order of magnitude greater in expense. But in the $300 and lower price category, the VIP stands apart (again, IMHO).

If you plan on doing legitimate gigging, playing in a band with a loud drummer...or can push the amp at blistering volume levels, then the "tube"-based Vypyr amps make sense. If you are using the amp for practice and home playing, then I say forget about the tubes.

deuterium,
I would say that you have many good points about choosing your amp (tube or non) by how you are going to use it. I use my amp at home. I haven't gigged out with it at all. I play at relatively low levels with my tube 60 and must say it puts out lots of nice, warm gain with no problem. That being said, price was definitely a factor in my purchase. The amp was damaged and cheap. The secret to good sound at lower levels with these must be the fact that they are hybrid by design. The 12AX7 isn't really even a pre-amp tube - kind of a buffer as I understand it. The Preamp is the same as the other first generation vypyrs with the exception of the voicing switch on the front board of the amp. The amp sounds good enough now, so I am anticipating getting to play it with a little heat on the tubes to see if there is any difference. The solid state amps sound good enough that unless you got a tube one in your price range and don't plan on playing out, buy the SS.

[jdalf]

I own tube 60, a ss 15, 30 and 75.

Here's how I hear it; The 30 and the 75 are virtually identical in tone, but the larger cab/speaker combo on the 75 gives it a lot more bottom end oomph. IMHO, the best sounding ss amps I've ever used. I jam weekly with the 30, gig with the Tube 60.

The tubes make a huge difference. Not a fan of 6L6's, I have KT66's in mine, but the difference is noticeable and well worth the price difference. Good enough to make me sell my $1400 Supersonic. The Vypyr had better efx built in than I could hook up outboard, was easier to deal with setting up and on stage, and sounded EVERY BIT AS GOOD side by side in repeated taste tests.

SS vypyrs are best in class. The tube versions are simply in another class.
Dalrymple

I love all the custom stuff you've done to your amps, I may do a bit to mine this year

[NYStan]

dalrymple, would you please clarify what's the difference in sound between the KT66's compared to the 6L6's. I have the 120 tube and might be interested in changing the tubes if it's worth it.

[jds22]

If you have the time to wait, I might guess, any new VIP models might include Tube models,
not yet released, based on the statement below:

From the VIP thread,,,, Michael Smith, Product Manager for Peavey Electronics stated:
“Are we possibly working on a more high end, professionally driven Vypyr with features designed by
and for gigging guitarists and that might find a place on hundreds of stages around the country.
Of course not. ”

Yes, that statement has had me wondering for quite a while now.

[Classic30inCincy]

KT66's Require Additional ROOM

KT66's are Large Large Bottle Power Tubes

60 Horsepower Amps Usually Have Room To Install One Pair

120 Horsepower Amps Typically Do NOT Have Room For Two Pair (Quad Set)

Research KT66 Reviews........

http://www.tubestore.com

[deuterium]

KT66's Require Additional ROOM

KT66's are Large Large Bottle Power Tubes

60 Horsepower Amps Usually Have Room To Install One Pair

120 Horsepower Amps Typically Do NOT Have Room For Two Pair (Quad Set)

Research KT66 Reviews........

http://www.tubestore.com

Careful of your units, Classic30inCincy...

A 120 "horsepower" amp would equal 89,520 watts...or the equivalent of almost 1,800 Marshall 1987x Plexi heads. That would put Yngwie Malmsteen's "wall of Marshalls" to shame. And if you stacked them 4 high, in a line, with matching 4x12 Cabs, they most likely would be able to be seen from low Earth orbit.

I would also recommend one of these, for the power supply:

[zepplin490]

I personally Like tubes everywhere! At home or live, Ive got a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL which has a V.P.R. switch which drops the head back to a 25 watt mode so you can get the tubes cookin and not be breaking windows and peeling paint offa wall's. I cant really get into practicing if I dont have great sound which is why i sold my previous SS practice amp. The Vypyr tube models really interest me as there have been some great hybrid amps in the past (Marshall JMD:1 and the Line 6 Hd100) and after hearing how good the solid state vypyr's sound i can just imagine how good they would sound with a single preamp tube and a solid tube power amp section.. Wish they would have put at least one more tube in the preamp section but oh well id imagine its still a great sounding amp.
-MP-