Victory Amps PowerValve 200

The popularity of digital products has enabled many guitarists to reduce their rig size and access a plethora of tones at the touch of a button. However ‘close’ the latest and greatest digital rigs have become, two fundamentals are still absent - the feel of a valve amp, and its interaction with a speaker cabinet in a live setting.

The recent rise in FRFR speaker cabinet popularity shows that players will choose practicality over authenticity. But we believe we have now bridged the digital/analogue gap with the PowerValve 200; our mission being to create the ultimate companion piece for all modeller/preamp/pedalboard users allowing them to add the authentic valve tone Victory are famous for and in turn, drive a real speaker cabinet again. The concept of PowerValve 200 is simple - take the output of any modeller, preamp or pedalboard via 1/4” jack cable into the balanced input of the PowerValve. From there, adjust your input levels and EQ, engage the Valve signal path, and run into any guitar speaker cabinet to hear your guitar tone as it should be heard!

VRC

The VRC (Valve React Circuit) in the PowerValve 200 activates an EF91 (CV4014) valve. This jewel in the PowerValve’s crown instantly adds a richer, warmer, more driven, touch sensitive feel to your tone. Obviously this is our recommended way of using it, but it can also be bypassed for those who want a more linear, transistor signal path via the switch on the front panel.

Compact & Versatile

Measuring a pedalboard friendly 130mm x 300mm x 295mm , weighing just 2.4kg, and encased in roadworthy zinc plated mild steel, the PowerValve 200 has a simple front panel featuring a 3 band EQ (Resonance, Body, Presence) for fine tuning your tone. Detented pots mean that when EQ settings are at the halfway position, they are essentially bypassed.

Balanced Output

We’ve included a balanced input on the PowerValve 200, so the balanced output on your modeller won’t go to waste. An input level control, along with an LED indicator gives the ultimate control when it comes to whichever signal strength is being fed into it.

Outputs

The main speaker output caters for 4Ω (200w), 8Ω (100w) and 16Ω (50w). There is also a dedicated 3.5mm Headphone output and an analogue Cab Sim via an XLR output ideal for recording or running straight to a desk. The Cab Sim is also switchable on/ off via the front panel, and the Headphone level/Cab Sim can be adjusted independently to the main output via the Headphone Level control.

Real Cab VS FRFR

We vigorously tested various modellers running into the PowerValve 200 using several different speaker cabinets from our own catalogue. We then did the same test against the leading FRFR cabs, and we believe there is simply no contest; all of those favoured guitar frequencies, rich harmonics and feedback that are missing in modern day setups are delivered perfectly via the PowerValve 200. It will obviously power any of our speaker cabinets, but we highly recommend our Lunchbox Speaker Cabinet Series as the best companion given its compact size and power.