Victory Amplification has launched a new 200-watt valve power amp, which is made to bring valve feel, response, and tone to digital rigs.
The PowerValve 200 allows players to run their modeller, preamp or pedalboard through a real guitar cabinet with the dynamic response of Victory valve technology. The company claims that while modellers have made vast progress, digital rigs “still struggle” to recreate essential elements of a traditional amp.
The PowerValve 200 is said to bridge the gap. Users can connect their modeller via 1/4” jack to the PowerValve’s balanced input, set their levels, engage the valve stage, and drive a real speaker cabinet with “authentic amp-like response”.
At its core is Victory’s Valve React Circuit (VRC) featuring an EF91 (CV4014) valve. For players who prefer a completely transparent signal path, the valve stage can be bypassed via a front panel switch. This front panel also includes a 3-band EQ (Resonance, Body, and Presence) allowing players to fine-tune their tone, and there is also a Cab Sim on/off switch.
Ryan Morgan, Head of Global Sales at Neural DSP (home of the acclaimed Quad Cortex) comments, “The PowerValve 200 genuinely exceeded our expectations. The response, feel and tone — especially when paired with the Quad Cortex — were outstanding. With the flip of a switch, the added tube stage delivers an immediate improvement to the signal. This is a seriously impressive piece of kit.”
Martin Kidd, Chief Designer at Victory, adds: “Players told us they still wanted to feel a guitar speaker cabinet moving air on stage — something that doesn’t quite happen with FRFR cabinets. The subtle harmonic content generated by a valve stage creates slight asymmetry in the waveform — and that’s where the feel comes from.”
The PowerValve 200 is available now for £499 / $599 / €579. Find out more via Victory Amps.
Rachel began writing for Guitar.com in 2021 while finishing up her degree. A proud DIY guitarist, she has been playing for over 10 years and has written for the likes of Kerrang!, The Forty-Five, and MusicTech. An enjoyer of all things heavy, you’ll find her at a festival or downtuning her guitars when away from her desk.