VH4S or VH4??? I need clean headroom, which one should I get

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A no nonsence question... I just dont want to have the luxury of running in stereo if it takes away the amount of headroom I have on clean before it starts breaking up (VH4S 60 watts a side). I would be putting some KT88s in the VH4S or some 6550's in there, but would probaly pick KT88s if they gave me more headroom before breakup. Any suggestions? I am a sucker for stereo effects, but there is really no need for them besides the bedroom scene and recording! I know for sure the amount of clean headroom would be enough with the VH4, but for any of you guys that have the VH4S... how does it work in a band situation, or live at a show? Does it give you enough headroom before the breakup on the clean channel? I would appreciate any insight before I decide to jump on in and get the VH4S.

Thanks, Chad
 
i have a VH4 with 6550s & it has TONS of headroom & sounds simply killer. i cannot compare it to the VH4S but i just know that its a killer!!! Merry Christmas!!
 
The JC 120 is alright, but I dont wanna lug that thing around with me!!! Thanks for the idea though. I really need to find out about the VH4S, but thanks for the help so far. Any VH4S users? Come on guys I know your out there.
 
I was in the same boat as you - wanting an amp that had stereo capabilities when needed, but was worried about sacrificing headroom when all things were fully channeled.

I would suggest going for the (S) as in VH4S. It's an incredible machine. With the 6550's, you'll be playing with almost 60W to 70W per side pending on exact tube and bias. The crux here is, that's a LOT of juice no matter what...even 50W a side is a lot of juice when running a well engineered head.

I've had both - the VH4 and the 4S and it's the S I stuck with ultimately. It's a weird thing to describe, but headroom for me meant volume without any hint of crunching up. When you're playing through 2 4x12, for reasons pretty obvious, it's almost 1.5 - 2 times louder simply because you've got 2x the cabinets - so othe SPL goes up double. I think you'll be VERY happy with the S - and the ability to pan stereo FX is so awesome in true stereo, the flexibility to play different cabinets together, the ability to spread your sound, or, even, simply pump it through a single 4x12 (stereo wired).

It's got a lot of options.

Peace,
V.
 
Just remember that you can't run only one side of the VH4S. You must have both sides hooked up to a load at all times.
 
Thats exactly what I mean... I need to know if running in stereo is going to give me the ample amount of headroom I need. I dont have the cash to get 2 VH4 amps and run them in stereo, but that would be GODLY to have!!!
 
pfapin05":m7gba59x said:
Thats exactly what I mean... I need to know if running in stereo is going to give me the ample amount of headroom I need. I dont have the cash to get 2 VH4 amps and run them in stereo, but that would be GODLY to have!!!
Click to expand...

If 50-70 watts is "enough headroom" for you, then yes... the VH4S has enough headroom. Keep in mind that when using twice the number of speakers (as in two separate cabinets) the overall SPL will double (as in twice the volume) as compared to one speaker cabinet. But, that won't change the headroom of the amp. But, if you're worried about being able to turn the amp up louder without getting power amp distortion, using double the speakers will solve that problem.

If you WANT power amp distortion, then the VH4S' individual power sections will distort sooner than a single 100+ watt power amp at the same volume and same number of speakers.

Bottom line: VH4S requires either two cabinets (one per side = double the volume) or a single, stereo cabinet, which means the power amp will break up sooner than a VH4 at similar master volume levels.

I think. :)

You're really comparing three scenarios:

VH4 into one 4x12
VH4S into one stereo 4x12 (2x12 per side)
VH4S into two 4x12's
 
All that makes total sence, just need to know from someone that has used the VH4S compared to the VH4 to let me know for sure. Also Im thinkin about the Herbert now!!! I hate not having $15000 to drop on all 3 and just sell what I dont keep, or better yet... just keep them all.
 
There is always that....but it is a different machine! (Herbert).

Go for the "S" and you'll have the ability to go true pan stereo with 2 loads, or simply use 1 cabinet, with 2 stereo inputs... But HEADROOM and CLARITY were your main concerns, and the answer is YES the VH4S will blow yer socks off just like the VH4 will, but you'll also have the ability for true stereo output when ya want it.

Namaste,
V.

PS - I've used and owned and still have and use:
VH4
VH4S
Herbert
Einstein

Through it ALL the 'S' has remained the key player in my studio. SPL is 2x that of a single head through 2 cabs...headroom is enough to sterilize you. Nuff said.
 
Thanks alot mang!!! I think that definatly did all the convincing that I needed, cuz all I was waiting on is someone that owns one to tell me that it had enough headroom... although I am really wanting the herbert, I will get the VH4S first. So thank you much for your input.
 
hehe.....you wil not regret this!!! the "s" is an amazing machine....
 
ONLY 2 more months and I will be ordering mine!!! But finding one used would be even more bad ass!!! I know Brad had one but I didnt have the scratch at the time, OH SNAP!!!
 
Well, there's a reason you won't see too many used 'S' models out there... People tend to keep 'em once they have one.

Secondly, having done the 'used' route personally before, there's something very special about learning and breaking in a brand spankin' new rig all on yer own :inlove: :2thumbsup:

2 months, well - that oughta have you go from the now VH4S, to the Herbert, to an SLO, to a Mark V, to a VHT, to a HI-WATT, to a Fuchs, to a Cornford, to an XTC, and back to a VH4 and then realize the VH4S is the bomb.

See you on the flipside m'man!

V.
 
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