Peavey Vypyr 75

I picked up a 75W Vypyr last week. Here's a general review/overview addressing some of the issues with the amp that I couldn't find before I bought it...

My first choice was the 60W Vypyr tube, but it was sold before I had my funds together.

Earlier in the week, I had the chance to A/B the 60W and 75W, and the difference between the two was subtle - subtle enough for me to go ahead and pick up the available 75.

My comments below are based on my experience with the Vypyr 75. My initial impressions are:

1. The high gain models sound really good - and I have the solid state 75W. The 6505 model is where mine has lived for the past 5 days, other than just checking out the other models. The Dzl and Rec models also sound nice.
2. The clean models also sound really good and respond well to the stomp box OD's (Tube Screamer, ZW OD).
3. The user interface is very easy to use. I was able to have a sound dialed in less than 5 minutes.
4. The USB and 1/8" plugs work well, although the USB recording output level doesn't seem high enough, and there's no adjustability that I can find other than the pre-out.
5. An effects loop, cab and direct out would make this amp unbeatable...

I have played the Vypyr 75 live with 2 other guitarists, a bass player and drummer at a live gig, and all of them commented how awesome the tone was. Playing it live, I was competing with a DI'ed bass, a JCM 800 4x12, and a Boogie Nomad. I had my 75W on 3.5/4 and was cutting through easily.

There are several effects that I'll never use on this thing (rotary speaker, autowah, etc.) and the knobs are pretty cheesy (the detents for the different amps/effect don't "click", which makes it easy to over shoot them. The master volume on mine drags on the face plate, feeling sticky).

Note: I "forced" the unit to lock up this weekend. I read numerous posts that said, power up the unit before plugging in, or it could lock up. Well I thought I'd try it, and it did. All other uses did not result in a lock up, and I powered the unit before plugging it in....

Bottom line on the 75W Vypyr:
Great tone, lots of power, no hum (as others have observed), some effects will never get used, awesome bang for the buck, can lock up - but doesn't have to if you follow the "power up" protocol.

Based on my needs, I may return the amp and pay the extra money for the 6505+ 112 combo. As I use minimal effects, and love the 6505 tone, I can gain an effects loop for my delay, and a Direct and Cab out, which the Vypyr 75 does not have. But, that flexibility will cost another $300, and for some, it might not really be worth it...