Probably What 'The Edge' Uses To Warm Up With 
by DJ from Atlanta, GA USA, June 2008
Music Background:  Pro Guitarist / Songwriter

I have tried to use digital modeling amps and I simply cannot, something about the top end just doesn't sound right to me, especially with an amp like the AC30 where you have a lot of top end anyway. This little unit sounds nice and warm and analog in character, yet bright and biting if you want it, without ever sounding brittle. I am sure it does not sound exactly like an AC30, but for the price, it sure does seem to pack a lot of that vox vibe into a small battery run unit.

I am not anti-digital by any means, but for guitar tones something about analog amps, even if they are solid-state, seem to make a difference to me. Well I have been wanting to try the AC30 tone in my recordings and wanted to find the best low-cost way to try it out before I explore more expensive options. For me the sound is pretty amazing when recorded. Maybe it doesn't sound like an AC30, but I doubt anyone listening to the recording would think you were using a headphone amp.

The only shortfalls you have when recording is it is a bit awkward to connect everything to something that was designed to fit into a guitar plug and a set of headphones, but you can manage. And it does run on batteries, so spares or a set of rechargeables will be an absolute must. Also there is hiss that is noticeable, which is not the end of the world, but with the low noise equipment that is available today, you probably will notice it on your recordings. This for me is not a deal breaker. Some of my favorite recordings have amp buzz on them, tape hiss, etc, but this thing was not designed as a recording pre-amp, so this is asking a lot of the amPlug.

For those of us who can't use digital amps vox seems to be doing both a good job and a not-so-good job of carrying on the legacy of their sound. Vox have somehow distilled the essence of their sound down to very simple, affordable, compact analog components, yet they don't seem to be making these for professional musicians yet. All their analog products seem to be geared toward home use. Two examples are the amPlug and the Pathfinder. I think vox could really make a killing if they would put this into a low-noise sans-amp style pedal for people to go direct or record with. I also think they could do well by making a higher powered pathfinder so people could gig with them - probably my next purchase. Not all pros want to choose between a digital amp or a tube amp. Solid state still has advantages to offer over both digital and tube and since vox has done such a good job with their models they should consider making them into units that professionals can use more easily.

  Fun little unit 
by Fritz from Florida, March 2008

I primarily use this with my Taylor T5 and all I can say it's a lot of fun.
For the price, it certainly cannot be beat.

  Wow!! 
by Cos from Rochester, NY, December 2007
Music Background:  45 years, rock, blues,country and some jazz

Bought this for an Xmas gift for myself and Sweetwater went WAY out of their way to get it to me before Xmas. I'm really impressed with their customer service.
As for the amp - buy it immediately (if not sooner) I've got two other headphone amps that are now going on Ebay. Nothing I have ever used compares to this Vox. It's the best $39 bucks I've ever spent. Goes from sweet clean to crunchy tube overdrive. Compares very well to my Vox 30 watt amp.

Oh - yes, it works on a Strat type body/jack.

  Vox amplug ac30 
by dietPepsiHead from Ohio boy, December 2007
Music Background:  Rock & Roll, blues - hobbyist

I am a VOX man from the word go, I have several, including a real AC30 twin speaker. This thing is ok.
but it is just another pocket rocket. If you play it for a bit then turn it off and back on it seems to sound better. It is worth the 40 bucks but don't expect tube tone. that is a bunch of b.s.
VOX RULES!!!!!!!!!!

  incredible!!!! 
by db from Upstate NY, December 2007
Music Background:  semi pro musician

This is the greatest thing i have ever plugged into my guitar!!! i can't believe how clean the sound is. i actually have a real AC30 and this models
it beautifully. very impressed with the product and your great customer service. you can print that!!

  A Must Buy 
by Brent McDonald from Columbia, SC, December 2007
Music Background:  Pro Musician, part time producer/engineer

I bought this after hearing the audio clips on the Vox site and boy am I glad I did. This is perfect for practice when you can't be loud but still want tone. Now...for a different direction.......

First, the clean tone on this little baby is pretty close to the real deal and the overdrive is amazing for such a small package so I got to thinking.....why not run this analog signal direct into the PA. I tried it the first night I had it at our regular house band gig....everyone was stunned....sound man and I both laughed all night. I was great! I turned everything to max on the Amplug and used my guitar for total control. I was still a little skeptical so I tried it two nights later on our small space PA rig which is 2 Bose towers....again....stunning. I have to mention that my other guitar player bought one the day after I used it at our house gig. Two of those through the bose just can't be beat. The tone is pretty darn close....at least enough for me to not break my back since I gig 5 night's a week. You must have a competent sound man for the direct to PA to work!!!!

For it's intended purpose you can't beat this little man....and for amusement's sake through a PA...it is the coolest little bugger. I can't wait until vox makes this into a stompbox!!!

  Awesome Sound! 
by JD from San Antonio, TX, December 2007
Music Background:  Hobbyist

I purchased the AC30 and Classic Rock. These things are awesome! I have a Vox Valvetronix AD30VT and these portable 'amps' do just a good as the AD30VT.
For a hobbyist like me, they are perfect since the the time I usually get to play is at night. It's hard to crank up the AD30VT and not bug your neighbors. Tone is excellent and the high gain growls. If I had to choose between the AC30 and the Classic Rock, I would choose the AC30 as it is the most versatille in sound - clean sounds clean and high gain rocks! With the Classic Rock, it growls even at lower gain settings. They are both awesome. I considered purchasing the Pocket Rockit, but read some mixed reviews and as with anything Vox, everything they put out is great. No dissapointments here. Buy it.

  Cool little AC 
by Frank F. from New York, NY, December 2007
Music Background:  Hobbyist

I figured $40.00 why not try it out. I love this thing for what it is. Great little headphone amp in a small size. I use it work with a standard tele when I'm stressed. Just close my door for a few minutes and life is good again.

  Great!! 
by Jorge from Chicago, November 2007
Music Background:  Hobbyist.

This is a great little practice amp!! Simple, volume, tone, gain, headphone out, aux in...that is it! The sound is fantastic for the price. Remember you are paying $40 bucks, so you can't get the sound of a $1000 amp, but this little thing sounds awesome. I tried it through a strat and a PRS custom 24 and both sound really nice. I've never owned an AC-30, just amps that model it, and this little things sounds just as good. For a practice amp to take with you on the road, or practice at night without a jungle of cables and amps, etc. this is your amp. Would buy this thing again if I lost it.

  Amazing little rig! 
by Steve S. from Oregon, November 2007
Music Background:  Hobbyist

OK it's not a real AC30 but for 40 bucks do you really expect one? I will say though that it does a decent job of getting the AC30 clean sound. The distorted sounds are OK but not quite as close as the clean. For pure convenience it's way hard to beat. Hooked this baby up to a set of Bose iPod ear buds and got down to business all while the wife and kids slept. WAY NICE!!

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