are there any other boxes that do what the valvulator does without tubes and a smaller package?

thanks

just what does that thing do- i saw one and it looked like a power supply or something...........

This thing falls under the general heading of " line driver" and I have no experience whatsoever with such a beast.

However.....

I did order one and it has arrived; Should be picking it up on Thursday. I'll post as soon as I can comment intelligently ( which means you'll probably never hear from me again. Duh. )

Claims to be kinda like Viagra for the signal path, a " magic box " of sorts...
I think the power supply section is just an added bonus.

We'll see...

.interesting........seems odd it only has 4 adapter jacks....need that many just for overdrives!!

I've been using the Valvulator for about a month now, and I don't know how I ever managed without it before. It's really a necessity if your running multiple pedal effects. I'm running 9, yet it sounds like I'm plugged straight into my amp. You can actually daisychain the power supply to 8 different pedals, you just need to buy the special little cord. The Valvulator is worth $200 in my opinion.
www.meriphew.com

Does it go first or last in the chain, Meriphew? Thanks.

are all the adapter plugs 9v ?

First.
www.meriphew.com

Voltage outputs can be set from 9 to 12 VDC. www.meriphew.com

I was beginning to think I'd reach retirement age before my Valvulator arrived, but I finally picked it up today. A/B tests quickly revealed a more vibrant and immediate sound with more dynamic range and whallop. I kept doing A/B's until it became obvious that my tone suffered without it. Worth the wait and worth the cash. If you have the right guitar, amp, cables, and boxes but you're looking to take your tone to the next level, this is it.