10 Observations

1) It does not sound like the 1987x I played for over 10 years
2) It's a helluva lot closer to that sound than any new design Marshall has made in the past 3
decades+ except for the Vintage Modern.
3) It is bright in a good way, and has a very "round" sound. Not compressed, just more pleasant
than the harder crunch of modern Marshall amps (900 and beyond). More vintagey.
4) It is much more touchy-feely,bouncy, and dynamic than the DSL. Not stiff.
5) The attenuation function is pretty good at the middle setting...low power, eh..neutered as
you'd expect, but playable.
6) It is a LOUD 20watts when you get it into the distortion zone.
7) Reacts significantly to pre-amp tube changes. I could get it more modern DSL like with some
tung-sol and svetlana pre's. But I didn't like it. Very bright and fizzy with the new sensors. I
ended up with just changing out the 83s in V1 for a 83MG.
8) The master needs to be cranked or nearly so for it to get into the classic rock zone. 3 oclock..If
you set the master low, it sounds thicker/bigger throttling the pre-amp back some and hitting
the boost instead of cranking the pre. Built in boost seems better than hitting the front with my
EP booster.
9) Edge of breakup/Malcolm crunch tones are SO MUCH BETTER than the DSL, and pick attack
actually does something. Here is where the Tilt really helps. Setting it closer to "low input" on
lower gain settings really keeps things a little more girthy and less icepicky than cranking bass
(flubby) or reducing treble/presence (muddying up wound strings). A little goes a long way.
10) Unsure about the power tubes. They are standard JJ EL34s. Kinda harsh when full throttled.
Will probably try my EL34IIs next time.