The main change in sound with a pair of 5V4 is the global voltage drop the whole amp receives . It's about 12% drop . We use this change to play 230-40 volt examples in Oz where the mains is close to 250 volts and too high for the hot biased C30 . The alternative is to change the bias resistor value to the EL84s .
I don't have it anymore, but I always liked the reverb on it. It wasn't the best reverb I've ever heard, but it was a good one IMO. I'm a reverb always on type player but I set it with a fairly low mix. For whatever reason the reverb version has channel switching where the non-reverb version doesn't. I don't know why they do it that way, but as far as I know the 2 channels are the same on both versions. I never really used the channel switching as I was pretty well always in the EF86 channel. Great amps for sure!
There's some common lineage there, but this compared to a current day production ac30 are fairly different. They're in the same ballpark though. I've had a few AC30s, and I really like them a lot. A good player through a cranked AC30 will yield beautiful sounds. The Matchless is something extra special though...you pay for it, but it gets you something that the vox won't. IF price were not a factor I would choose the Matchless personally, if price is a factor (of course it is) the vox is a great option at a much nicer price.
The main change in sound with a pair of 5V4 is the global voltage drop the whole amp receives . It's about 12% drop . We use this change to play 230-40 volt examples in Oz where the mains is close to 250 volts and too high for the hot biased C30 . The alternative is to change the bias resistor value to the EL84s .
What do you think of the reverb ? I've only heard and played the standard version .
I don't have it anymore, but I always liked the reverb on it. It wasn't the best reverb I've ever heard, but it was a good one IMO. I'm a reverb always on type player but I set it with a fairly low mix. For whatever reason the reverb version has channel switching where the non-reverb version doesn't. I don't know why they do it that way, but as far as I know the 2 channels are the same on both versions. I never really used the channel switching as I was pretty well always in the EF86 channel. Great amps for sure!
How close is this amp to a box AC 30?
There's some common lineage there, but this compared to a current day production ac30 are fairly different. They're in the same ballpark though. I've had a few AC30s, and I really like them a lot. A good player through a cranked AC30 will yield beautiful sounds. The Matchless is something extra special though...you pay for it, but it gets you something that the vox won't. IF price were not a factor I would choose the Matchless personally, if price is a factor (of course it is) the vox is a great option at a much nicer price.
Put the 5v4's on ebay and try and get your money back, they turn that great amp to mush.