Introduction (cont.)
ENGLISH
4
Introduction
What is AVT?
Advanced Valvestate Technology, or AVT for short, is a major step forward in hybrid amplifier
design which is exclusive to our new Valvestate 2000 (VS2000) Series of amplifiers. It has evolved
from the original, critically acclaimed Marshall Valvestate technology, but is improved so that it
emulates even more closely the feel and response of the classic Marshall all-valve power
stage...without using valves.
It is not only the power stage that has been significantly improved in the VS2000 Series either.
Much careful attention to detail and many hours of development have also gone into the preamp
section too. As a result, each AVT channel offers the widest possible range of control and shape to
your sound, with an ECC83 (a.k.a.12AX7) preamp valve adding to the all-important tone and feel of
these latest Marshall creations.
Valve Drive Preamp
As just stated, each amp in the VS2000 range boasts a preamp stage equipped with an ECC83
Dual Triode valve. Drawing on our vast experience in this field, we have gone to great lengths to
ensure that this precious device delivers maximum sonic benefit at all settings and volume levels.
As a result, the clean sounds ring with the ‘bell-like
’
harmonics that only a valve preamp can deliver
and the break-up is never harsh or unnatural sounding. Whenever an AVT Overdrive channel is
selected the ECC83’s dual triode is saturated to its limit, providing the dynamics and feel worthy of a
place in the Marshall hall of fame.
Power Amp Delivery
The same sort of toneful care and attention was also focused on the all-important power stages
of the AVT series too. Our goal was to ensure that each one would create the warm, musical feel
and 3-dimensional sounds that have made our all-valve power amps world renowned. In addition,
these VS2000 products were designed to deliver the goods in the often hostile and unpredictable
environment of the live performance stage - which is why all the AVT power amps, from the AVT50
upwards, are fan cooled for optimum reliability.
'Extended Bass Response' Loudspeakers
Knowing how important the relationship between the amplifier and speaker is, this is another
area where we spent a great deal of time and effort when developing the VS2000 Series. By
working extremely closely with our long-term colleagues at Celestion Loudspeakers, we have
successfully developed a range of speakers which, through radical design, re-define the state-of-the-
art in rock guitar reproduction. In a nutshell, they allow the compact closed back cabinets used in
the AVT range, to maintain the bottom end delivery normally only associated with a full 4 x12 cabinet set-
up.
ENGLISH
5
DFX Onboard
At Marshall our aim is to create products that offer our fellow guitarists true inspiration in the
practice and performance of their art. When integrating DFX (Digital Effects) into the tonal topology
of AVT, the greatest care was taken to ensure that the highest level of signal integrity was
maintained. Through careful shaping and mixing of the ‘wet’ (processed) and ‘dry’ (unprocessed)
signals, we have ensured that the onboard effects enhance your tone while adding none of the
nasty, artificial ‘grain’ often associated with DFX. Different effect types can be assigned to the Clean
and Overdrive channels and can, of course, be turned on and off via the sturdy 6-way LED foot
controller supplied with your amp.
We are so proud and enthused by the end results of our labour that we feel fully justified in
hailing Advanced Valvestate Technology as a major breakthrough in hybrid guitar amplifier design.
We are convinced that you will derive as much pleasure from playing them as we did while
designing them. Enjoy!
AVT150/AVT150H & AVT275 Front Panel Features
I. The Preamp Section
Your AVT amp boasts no fewer than four
channels: Acoustic Simulator, Clean, Overdrive 1
and Overdrive 2. The preamp section is where
the gain, tone and relative volume of these four
channels is determined.
1 Input Jack Socket
This is where you plug your guitar into the
amp. You must always use a screened
(shielded) guitar cable and never use an
unscreened (unshielded) speaker cable. Also,
this cable should be one of good quality. If you
are in any doubt regarding this, your Marshall
dealer will be more than happy to help and
advise you.
2 Acoustic Simulator Channel
Selector Switch
Allows selection of the Acoustic Simulator
channel via the front panel.
3 Top Control
This control takes the channel’s sound
from a mellow, acoustic tone (similar to a
microphone placed towards the neck of the
instrument) all the way to a bright, piezo-like
acoustic sound and all points in-between.
Note:
The amp’s Master Presence control (21)
affords you further adjustment of the high end.
4 Body Switch
This changes the ‘body resonance’
simulation of the channel from that of a regular
sized, steel-string acoustic (switch ‘out’) to that
of a large bodied, ‘Jumbo’ acoustic (switch ‘in’).
5 Volume Control
This dictates how loud the Acoustic
Simulator Channel will be.
6 Clean Channel Selector Switch
This allows selection of the Clean channel
via the front panel.
7 Clean Channel Gain Control
This rotary control regulates the drive into
the two cascaded valve stages of the preamp.
Lower settings will give you a wide range of
well defined, warm clean tones.
At higher Gain settings you will pass
through natural, valve-induced compression
and into an increased level of desirable ‘break-
up’ (a.k.a. ‘crunch’) which is perfect for subtly
overdriven blues/rock.
