Does a VVR3 kill the sag compression ?

[vincenz]

I installed (and then I removed) a VVR into a Fender Deluxe 5E3. It works as expected, no problem, the VVR does his job.
The problem is that I lost the main feature of this amp, i.e. his wonderful sag compression (blooming notes) when the amp is pushed to his sweet spot.

Now I have removed the VVR and I am using an Airbrake attenuator, which do his job as well, but the huge compression and "pumping effect" is kept.

So, for my future Trainwreck Express build, I just wonder if a VVR3 will kill the sag compression as it did on my Deluxe?

[billyz]

I installed (and then I removed) a VVR into a Fender Deluxe 5E3. It works as expected, no problem, the VVR does his job.
The problem is that I lost the main feature of this amp, i.e. his wonderful sag compression (blooming notes) when the amp is pushed to his sweet spot.

Now I have removed the VVR and I am using an Airbrake attenuator, which do his job as well, but the huge compression and "pumping effect" is kept.

So, for my future Trainwreck Express build, I just wonder if a VVR3 will kill the sag compression as it did on my Deluxe?

I have installed the VVR into a 5e3 and it did not kill the bloom. Are you using screen resistors ? what is your first power supply resistor ?

These are critical to getting good bloom from a 5e3. Too high equals too much compression or too low and you loose the bloom, you need to get it just right .

[vibratoking]

I have installed the VVR into a 5e3 and it did not kill the bloom. Are you using screen resistors ?

+1... My 5E3 with VVR sounds great.

[vincenz]

+2 ! My 5E3 with VVR was also sounding GREAT!

Again, I think the VVR is a great product and a clever way to keep the amp low for overdriven playing. That's not the topic...


Billyz, are you saying that you have the same sag compression with the VVR installed ?

[billyz]

+2 ! My 5E3 with VVR was also sounding GREAT!

Again, I think the VVR is a great product and a clever way to keep the amp low for overdriven playing. That's not the topic...


Billyz, are you saying that you have the same sag compression with the VVR installed ?

Yes, The VVR did not change it to my ears. I do find the sag is more related to the first power node resistor . The bigger the value the more sag. It is acting as the screen resistor. I frequently add individual screen resistors and lower the first PS node resistor . It is also dependent upon your primary impedance of the Output Transformer. The 5e3 had a 8k primary. If you lower the Impedance to say 6K you will also get less compression as well as a frequency shift, more to the higher spectrum.
Those are my finding by experimentation, ymmv of course.

[vibratoking]

+2 ! My 5E3 with VVR was also sounding GREAT!

Again, I think the VVR is a great product and a clever way to keep the amp low for overdriven playing. That's not the topic...

My response was exactly on topic. If the VVR caused a loss of compresson then I would have stated that fact. I notice no loss of compression with VVR and my 5E3.

[Colossal]

Yes, The VVR did not change it to my ears.

Billy,

Did you VVR the power amp only (plates and screens), screens only, or the whole amp?

Thanks.

[billyz]

Yes, The VVR did not change it to my ears.

Billy,

Did you VVR the power amp only (plates and screens), screens only, or the whole amp?

Thanks.

The whole amp. I do limit the low voltage with a 330 K resistor at R1.
I find if the voltage goes too low it does not sound as good.

[vincenz]

thank you all for your answers. I am starting to better understand the situation...
I will let my 5E3 as it is, since it sounds great with the attenuator. Anyway, I did not decide yet if I will install the VVR3 on my next Express build...