Description

The AC30HWR2X Hand Wired is Vox's handmade tube combo amplifier, with 30W of power and inspired by the legendary ACs of the 60s. After years of research and study on original AC prototypes from that era, this new handwired version features a new and revamped power supply circuit that restores the typical compression feel of those amps. The new transformer provides pleasant harmonics to the tone, and the reduced chassis thickness, like that of the vintage AC, makes this amp resonate exactly as it did back then. The AC30HWR2X Hand Wired features 2 x 12” 8Ω Celestion Alnico Blue speakers and offers 2 channels, normal and top boost, each with high and low inputs, a bright mode switch, spring reverb, tone cut, and master volume.

Overview of the Vox AC30HWR2X Hand Wired

In pursuit of the essence of the classic vintage AC30 amplifier sound, Vox conducted a detailed analysis and study of AC15 and AC30s in excellent condition from the 60s to truly uncover and understand the inner workings of these legendary amplifiers. The culmination of these efforts led to the birth of the new VOX AC Hand-Wired amplifier range: the greatest VOX amplifiers Vox has ever produced.
The rarity of vintage amplifiers contributes significantly to their high value, but equally important is the distinctive sound inherent in vintage amps. Despite the AC30 being produced with nearly identical circuits since the 60s, the character of vintage units is often described as almost indescribable, possessing a rich and musical quality that is equally unmistakable and mysterious. Vox sought to unravel the secrets of this sound, bringing the magic of vintage to today's musicians.
The AC-HWR series meticulously recreates the vintage VOX tone through thorough research. A diverse lineup meets the individual preferences and needs of the most discerning guitarists. The series includes 30W and 15W combos, available as AC30HWR2X and AC15HWR1X, both featuring Celestion Alnico Blue speakers, as well as AC30HWR2 and AC15HWR1 with Celestion G12M Greenback speakers. Additionally, there is the AC30HWRH head which can be paired with your own cabinet or the new V212HWRX cabinet with Celestion Alnico Blue speakers. Completing the series are the compact AC10HWR1 and AC4HWR1 combo amplifiers, designed for low-power use.

Power Supply Circuit Revision

Contemporary power supplies aim for stability by minimizing voltage fluctuations to achieve a reliable power source. In contrast, power supplies in vintage amplifiers exhibit fluctuations that respond to large speaker movements, providing the characteristic "compression" and "sag" sensations associated with vintage amps. During research, Vox measured the power supply circuit of many vintage AC30s and used them to design a completely new power supply capable of replicating these vintage tonal and performance characteristics.
However, simply mimicking vintage characteristics can lead to the generation of unwanted tones, particularly "ghost notes," which are extraneous sounds unrelated to the notes actually played, especially at high volumes. Faced with the dilemma of prioritizing sound quality or addressing the ghost note issue, the previous AC30CC2 model incorporated a switch to activate the power supply attenuation circuit. Thanks to the new power supply circuit, the new VOX Hand-wired amplifiers address the ghost note problem without compromising sound quality and responsiveness, succeeding in achieving the delicate balance between the two considerations in a truly musical way.

Output Transformer

The output transformer contributes significantly to the classic vintage VOX sound. Even if the specifications are the same, saturation distortion in the transformer section can add to the pleasant harmonic components of vintage amplifiers. However, since this distortion cannot be accurately measured by transformer specifications, Vox embarked on an extensive prototyping program to develop custom transformers with the essential characteristics of the required vintage sound.

Cabinet

Vox carefully examined the thickness of the materials used: the vintage AC30 used slightly thinner materials, which contributed to creating a rich and extended mid-range. The new cabinet design employs the same material thickness as the vintage amplifier, helping to provide a faithful sound reproduction.

Practical Features

    
• While it was important to get as close as possible to the specifications and sound of the 60s models, the approach was to maintain simplicity, while incorporating practical features for contemporary guitarists.
    
• Spring Reverb
    
• When considering what could enhance the immersive quality of a guitar amplifier, a high-quality spring reverb was considered a "must" to achieve that magical vintage sound.
    
• FX Loop
    
• Modern guitarists love combining various effects to create their individual sound. However, problems can arise when combining distorted amplifiers with spatial, modulation, and pitch-shift effects. The distortion of these effects can muddy the sound. To solve this problem, an FX loop has been integrated, allowing for a clean output of effects.

Specifications of the Vox AC30HWR2X Hand Wired

Tube Configuration: ECC83/12AX7 x 4, ECC81/12AT7 x 1, EL84 x 4, GZ34 x 1
Speakers: 12” 8Ω Celestion Alnico Blue x 2
Dimensions (W x D x H): 705 x 260 x 550 mm
Weight: 32.0 kg