Vox Nutube MV50 guitar amps

Vox showcased its “revolutionary” Nutube mini-valve technology at NAMM 2016, but this year, it’s releasing its first guitar amp with the tech onboard: the MV50. Available in three flavours – Clean, AC and Rock – the MV50 weighs a mere 500g (1.1lbs) yet delivers 50W of output power via a Class D power amp.

As well as a snazzy VU meter, each amp packs three controls (gain, volume and tone for the AC and Rock; treble, bass and volume for the Clean), as well as an EQ switch to add or cut low-end for pairing with different cabinets, plus a line/headphone out with cab emulation.

Vox has also introduced two new speaker cabinets matched to the MV50: the BC108 and BC112, the former with an 8″ speaker, the latter with a 12″ Celestion V-Type. Both feature semi-open back construction, an oval port to enhance lows, bracing to increase resonance and a front-mounted speaker for improved projection.

For those uninitiated in Nutube, it’s a low-power, low-voltage vacuum tube equivalent, which operates in the same manner as a triode vacuum tube while offering “power-saving and quality” enhancements – all of which makes the announcement of these amps very exciting indeed.  All three amps will be available in spring.