Rocktron Velocity Valve

2 channel rackmounted tube power amp. Each channel has a volume, presence, definition and standby switch. On the back side, there's 2 inputs and 2 outputs per channel with adjustable Ohm selector. Pretty bare bones but more features than most. Designed by Bruce Egnater.

I've used this poweramp with quite a few preamps and it has sounded great in every situation. I mainly play rock, blues, fusion and country with a variety of high and low end guitars. It's not noisey but there is a fan that kicks in but if you're playing you won't hear it. It's super loud and can definitely drive a wall of 4x12s. You can definitely tell it's tube when you plug it in. I compared with my Roctron velocity 100 SS power amp and a ADA B200. Not even close. The only reason why I keep the Velocity 100 is because the Velocity Valve weights ALOT. It's not light and when you throw it in a rack with other gear, make sure you wear a back brace.

Built pretty nicely, very sturdy. Reminds me of my old Mesa 2:90 poweramp. I wouldn't dare think about dropping it, probably make a hole in the floor and land on my downstairs neighbor. I would depend on it but would probably bring that Velocity 100 out just incase.

I haven't had to get it serviced and by the looks of Rocktron's site, it's not on there anywhere so they probably act like it didn't exist.

I'd compare this poweramp to my old Mesa 2:90, it looks similar in the back with the exception of 1/4" controlled Deep Mod feature. But the Definition control on the front actually makes up for that. Besides I don't think I ever switched the Deep Mod off when i was using the 2:90 so the Rocktron's Definition control is actually more flexible since I can dial in how much I want.

All in all, I think this is one really well built, great sounding hidden gems. I keep an eye out for gear that I think is going to go up in value, I'm a player's player so this gear does get used and doesn't sit in a glass case. However I do think it's value will go up as soon as it's name get's tossed around with the fact that it was designed by Bruce Egnater. Even if Bruce's name wasn't on it, I'd consider it a hidden gem. It can keep up with any Mesa, Marshall or VHT poweramp. Infact I've found the mesa stuff only sounds good if you run a Mesa preamp with their power amp. You can't mix and match their gear with other brands like marshall, soldano, etc but Rocktron sounds good with pretty much everything and anything.

The Velocity Valve is a stereo (2*80 Watts), 2 rack space tube power amp designed by Bruce Egnater and marketed by Rocktron. The amp can run on either the stock 5881 output tubes or be used with EL34's. Front panel controls include level, presence, and density (which adds some bottom end weight to the tone).

I am currently using the Velocity Valve power amp with a Rocktron Voodu Valve preamp and Intellifex for additional delay and reverb effects. For many years I had been using a rack system consisting of an ACT MP-100 preamp, Roland GP-8, and Lexicon PCM-70, which was run into a pair of reissue Marshall 1987 and 1959 stacks. (Wonderfull sounds, but a lot of gear to lug to gigs). The Rocktron system gets very close to approximating the sounds from my old rack/Marshall system. In fact, I would have to say that the Veleocity Valve is actually louder than the Marshalls, and the percussiveness of the Velocity Valve is very close to that of the Marshalls. The only downside I have experienced is with regards to the presence control on the Velocity Valve - it does not seem to be able to extract quite the same "sweetness" as the Marshall presence control. (A comparison of the Marshall and Velocity Valve presence center frequencies will give an indication as to why there is a difference, but may not tell the whole story - other factors may also come into play such as bandwidth of the presence control, for instance). I had tried out the Mesa Boogie 50 watt stereo power amp and Marshall 100 watt stereo power amp, but neither of these had the warmth, clarity and punch of the Velocity Valve.

I have only owned the Velocity Valve for two months, so it is too early to obtain any reliability data.

Rocktron were very helpful in providing me with the procedure to follow in order to change the Velocity Valve's output tubes from 5881's to EL-34's. (That is the extent of my current dealings with them on this product).

I'd rate this power amp as one of the new classic pieces of equipment. I have owned many types of vintage and modern amplifiers, from vintage Marshalls, a 1960's Vox AC-30 Top Boost, Fender twins, numerous Boogies , etc, and I would have to rank this amplifier as one of the best power sections, from the perspective of punch, clarity, and warmth.