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First, I really like my tube amps. They all bring something unique to the table. They all sound great to fantastic (current batch, Rivera Chubster 55, Marshall DSL, Ampeg GVT15h, Blackstar HT-1RH). I love the tone, feel, sag etc of a good tube amp. I have also always liked the idea and promise of SS amps, their versatility, low maintenance, low volume tone. But, to date, I've always not liked something about each I have tried, too thin, or sterile, or shrill, something. Since, I can't justify Axe FX or Kemper money, I thought that was it for me. Then Blackstar announced its ID:TVP series. SS yes, but not a modeler, but also programmable. More an emulator of amp circuits, or parts and an output tube emulator. Not modeling actual amp/cab tones. I liked the concept. I even got to try a 30w combo. I finally found the right deal on the 60 watt head. . First, let me say, of the vids out there, most do not come close to doing this amp justice. More than most amps, a lot of the vids on this are not nearly as good as the amp sounds in person. Granted, I feel I have a pretty darn good cab (4x12 Avatar with Celestion G12H30s and WGS Veteran 30 copies). But still. Take the best out there, and think better Without TVP engaged, the amp is a decent SS amp with good eq, real good fx and 6 voices. It ranks, again without the TVP as one of the better/best SS amps I have tried or heard. Suffers from several things I don't like about SS amps and modelers I have tried. However, WITH TVP engaged, it's a whole different amp. I think it's switchable just to show how good it is. I will say, it really does feel like playing a tube amp. Responds to pick attack, vol roll-off, you name it, like a tube amp. It's really quite impressive in this regard. Worked with all of my pedals, and responded to them much like a tube amp would. Putting an OD pedal in front, and you get the same effect you would expect from a valve amp. You can REALLY hear and feel the difference in the different tube emulations when getting dirty. But, I could also hear and feel it when running the amp clean. I'm no expert on some of the different tube types in real life (have had EL84, 6V6, 6L6 and EL34). But, they do sound, and more importantly react and respond differently. With the 6 preamp, and 6 tube/output, that's 36 different tonal combos. OOB, you can get some really good tones. I specially like the Warm Clean and Super Crunch preamps. Clean tones are warm, clean, responsive, great clarity, string separation, very tube like. Sure, my Rivera clean tones are better. But then, well, its a Rivera. But these are very good. Dirt/distortion tones, unaided, are the best SS dirt tones, I have heard or tried. Take that for what it is worth. But, I like them better than several all tube amps I have tried or owned (Peavey Classic 30 and older Valve king, 5150, Carvin, Kustom), It is by far better, more responsive, better feel, organic dirt/distortion than any SS or modeler I have tried (and that does NOT include an Axe FX or Kemper). But, it also ranks up there with quite a few tube amps in my opinion. VERY responsive dirt, organic, and again tube like. None of the downfalls I usually find in SS or modeling dirt tones (shrillness, mechanicalness, sterileness, harshness, non organic). Well, some shrillness can be had, if you try. But then I can do that with a tube amp as well. The FX are really good sounding. As good a digital version as I have heard on an amp. They sound to me to be as if between the preamp and output. Overall quality is top notch, wood, pot feel, switch feel, finish, etc. Can take being gig'ed, no issue. Overall Is it as good as a tube amp? I give it a qualified yes. It is the most un SS like SS amp I have come across. It sounds very good, very tube-like and responsive. Feels like playing a tube amp. You have to try and make it sound like a SS amp. Higher priced tube amps are going to sound better. But live, over a PA, I doubt many in the audience could tell a difference at all. You might, but they won't. IF you want something to provide a lot of versatile, good tones, that are easy to bring up (like in a studio) without having a lot of different amps, this is perfect. If your not sure what you want in a tube amp, again, great choice here. If you KNOW what you want, and don't mind some fiddling, then you have something here at a good price. Not perfect, but Blackstar did a darn fine job here. I rate it at 5 stars compared to other SS/modelers. If you could give partials, I'd rate it as just an amp, tube, whatever, which would be a 4.3 to 4.5

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Any tube amp sound you want. Sounds and responds like a true tube amplifier. Very versatile for use in any type music style. Rugged and easy to operate. True genius by Blackstar.

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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

I never thought a digital amp could have absolute tube response but this is as good as tubes IMO. The tone versatility is straight foreword and every thing I could want.

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