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Solid State Amplifiers => Guitar News => Topic started by: joecool85 on January 07, 2020, 03:52:48 PM

Title: Vox Cambridge50 - Nutube at NAMM 2020
Post by: joecool85 on January 07, 2020, 03:52:48 PM
Vox has released it's new modeling amp, the Cambridge50.  It uses a Nutube based preamp just like their MV50 series (https://voxamps.com/series/mv50/) of micro amp heads.  The Nutube was co-developed with Vox and Korg and is basically a tiny flourescent tube used as an amp tube.  They glow blue and sound great.  Rated for 30,000 hrs of use, running on 5v, and weighing practically nothing, I feel that Nutube (or similar) technology, will replace old style vacuum tubes like the venerable 12AX7 etc - and very soon!

Priced at $299 and coming with a 12" Celestion, I think this amp could be quite a bargain.

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/namm-2020-vox-unveils-affordable-cambridge50-modeling-amp-with-nutube
Title: Re: Vox Cambridge50 - Nutube at NAMM 2020
Post by: Loudthud on January 08, 2020, 01:47:12 AM
They make the NuTube seem like the greatest thing since sliced bread, but take a look at this: https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/313612-b1-korg-triode.html (you may have to join the forum to see the attachments).

All the crap it takes to make the thing work, and some of them are microphonic. Since there is no cathode, they're also a PITA to work with.
Title: Re: Vox Cambridge50 - Nutube at NAMM 2020
Post by: joecool85 on January 08, 2020, 06:27:39 AM
Quote from: Loudthud on January 08, 2020, 01:47:12 AM
They make the NuTube seem like the greatest thing since sliced bread, but take a look at this: https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/313612-b1-korg-triode.html (you may have to join the forum to see the attachments).

All the crap it takes to make the thing work, and some of them are microphonic. Since there is no cathode, they're also a PITA to work with.

They certainly aren't quite ready for true DIY yet, but the concept is there. Solid state circuitry was pretty rough when new as well! I think it will get more developed and also, hopefully, more companies will release similar technology so there is competition and development.