Les impressions d'un londonien qui est allé l'essayer au LIMS :
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Black Diamond - similar in size to the AD120VTX, all black, & the lit up multicoloured Vox logo is a hoot - & it doubles as a tuner for easy sighting on a darkened stage. First thing I noticed is that the tonal quality & dynamics with the new digital power-amp section and modelling are a BIG improvement & that there's no longer a 'blanket over the amp' - it's clear, punchy, and very tube like in feel. The Blackface for example feels much more authentic & warmer. I don't think we'll need to put an EQ in the loop on this baby. And it's loud - we had to keep it on 1!! The amp models aren't just rehashes of existing models but include many brand new models including a Diezel, Vox CP & Heritage amps etc. Tons more effects that sound very good indeed. The top facia controls are a little more involved as you'd expect, but are nicely lit up with red lighting.
A question I can't answer yet is how much better the BD is tonally re valve tone & modelling accuracy because you can't really begin to tell until you crank it - & as I said we had to keep the volume at bedroom levels. But enough to say that I'm very excited by the possibilities from what I did hear, & I'm dying to really put this puppy through its paces - so, first impressions (albeit limited) are very favourable.
I also don't yet know all the amp models it has - Unfortunately, information on the amp is still very limited, & even the demonstrators are still learning their way round it. But I'm trying to get hold of some further info & even a manual when they come through from my friends at Vox. The prototype I played has only been in the UK 3 days or so & even the Vox/Korg guys have limited info & not even the manual yet - I think it's got to be translated from Japanese first.
Re price, this hasn't definitely been fixed yet, but as a very broad indication the RRP in the UK will probably be in the region of £1200, with a street price of perhaps a little under £1,000. It is after all the flagship & aimed at the top end of the modelling market! But I stress, this is unconfirmed yet.