Specifications

AC15H1TV
HERITAGE COLLECTION
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In limited edition har
dwood and classic
cream vinyl, the new AC15 handwired
combo is the first offering in VOX’s new
Heritage Collection.
The EF86: The magical VOX tone
What is it that makes EF86-based VOX amplifiers some of
the most collectible in the world? Maybe it’s the way the
amp naturally overdrives, almost breathing with a life of
its own. Dynamic changes in pick attack almost seem to
be anticipated before you make them. Or maybe it
’
s the
raw power of the creamy distortion as you crank the amp
all the way up and slam down on a power chord. Whatever
it is, there is an undeniable magic about this period of VOX
amplification. An age when the most simple of circuits pro-
duced some of the most complex of tones. Now in short
supply, the EF86 Pentode tube is at the heart of this elusive
tone. Fifty years later, the magic returns.
The AC15H1TV: A detailed look
The 15-watt handwired AC15 features two channels of VOX
tone through a single 12" Celestion Alnico “Blue” speaker.
The tube complement is made up of 1 x EF86, 3 x
ECC83/12AX7, 2 x EL84, and 1 x EZ81 (rectifier).
Channel 1 is the EF86 Preamp channel and features two
inputs wired in the traditional way that gives them a 6 dB
gain difference between them. A two-position BASS SHIFT
switch is included, with position 1 voiced to the original
vintage-correct bass response and position 2 voiced to
tighten the bass response and reduce any muddiness dur-
ing high volume use. The three-position BRILLIANCE
SWITCH provides flat response when in the OFF position.
Position 1 is a new position voiced like the early AC30
“Treble” amps, while position 2 is the original brilliance
circuit
, which acts as a dramatic bas
s cut. The EF86 Mode
switch re-configures the EF86 valve from Pentode mode
to Triode mode. Triode mode will give a lower gain tone
with higher headroom. Pentode mode is the famed original
mode and has a very sweet high gain tone with not very
much headroom.
Channel 2 is the Top Boost Preamp channel. Like
Channel 1, this channel includes two inputs wired with a
6 dB gain difference between them. The Treble and Bass
controls are from the 1963 Top Boost circuit and are
extremely interactive. Very minor adjustments of these
controls can yield dramatic changes in tone color.
And true to V
OX form is the Top Cut control, which cuts
high from either channel end as it is turned up.
Flexible power
The O/P Switch adds even more flexibility to this AC15. This
switch changes the power output valves from Pentode
Mode, which is the normal operating mode of the power
amplifier, to Triode Mode which halves the power output to
7.5 Watts and will alter the tone to be somewhat smoother.
The finishing touches
Great care and research went into the cosmetics for this
special amplifier to meld vintage-correct attributes with
some modern revisions. These touches include a vint
age
“TV Front” cabinet, pre-1960 logo placement, and a
vintage-inspired cream vinyl covering. An extremely limited
edition run of 200 amplifiers will be produced with oiled
hardwood cabinets and will ship with a complimentary
copy of
VOX: The JMI Years , the definitive VOX history by
Jim Elyea, one of the foremost VOX experts in the world
and owner of the VOX Museum in Burbank, California.
Go to www.voxamps.co.uk for complete specifications!
Location: Demark Street, London’s Tin Pan
Alley, is filled with specialist music shops and
visited daily by artists and celebrities.