Fryette Amplification has launched the Valvulator Mini, a high voltage, vacuum tube–based buffer for guitarists who utilize modelers, digital amps and long pedal chains. It’s designed to preserve and enhance your guitar’s tone by converting the signal from high to low impedance – eliminating high-frequency loss and signal degradation caused by cable capacitance, impedance mismatches, phase / ground loops and the use of effects pedals.
The tube buffer also acts as a tone sweetener, cleaning up and enriching your sound while unveiling subtle harmonics, dynamics and the touch sensitivity normally associated with plugging directly into an amp.
Housed in a compact steel chassis and utilizing a JJ 12AX7/ECC83 vacuum tube, the Valvulator Mini is powered by 120-volt AC and includes an AC adapter.
It provides four different two-position toggle switches:
- Two impedance switches - gets the most tone out of your pickups, by eliminating high-frequency loss and signal degradation caused by cable capacitance and the use of effects pedals
- Phase switch - keeps you in phase, ensure full tone
- Ground loop switch – helps eliminate hum
It provides the following I/O:
- A ¼” input
- An unbalanced low-impedance ¼” output
- An unbalanced transformer isolated ¼” output
- A balanced XLR output, making it a versatile solution as a tube direct box for both pedalboards and studio use
“The Valvulator Mini is the long-awaited evolution of one of our most popular rig solutions, the Valvulator 1 Vacuum Tube Buffer. The Mini features increased headroom and dynamic range, together with significantly lower noise. As always, I wanted a solution for myself that I knew would be a welcome tool for players, especially those who really appreciate the tone and feel of plugging directly into an amp” commented Steve Fryette.
The Fryette Valvulator Mini carries a street price of $199. For more information visit fryette.com.
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