Aguilar DB680 with Bergantino IP310

[jaysbass]

Just wondering if anyone is using the DB680 with any of the IP series cabs (specifically the 310)? If so, what are your experiences like with this setup?

[Nightlyraider]

I wish I could try that...

[lo-freq]

Probably Tom Bowlus has.

I'd think they would pair-up nicely.

[jaysbass]

This is probably a question I should have asked before I decided to buy a DB680, but since one should be arriving any day now, I thought I'd see what types of experiences people may have had with this setup!

[NOLA Bass]

I can't imagine that would not sound great.

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by jaysbass

Just wondering if anyone is using the DB680 with any of the IP series cabs (specifically the 310)? If so, what are your experiences like with this setup?

check out my preamp reviews when I was searching for the best thing to go with my IP rig.

I found it, courtesy of the wise old Bowlus, and it's name is Summit Audio...and it's 1/2 the price, 1/4 of the weight, and 1/4 of the size of the Aguilar.

Cheers,
Cameron

[Joelc73]

Originally Posted by jaysbass

Just wondering if anyone is using the DB680 with any of the IP series cabs (specifically the 310)? If so, what are your experiences like with this setup?

I'm actually using that exact set-up right now in my rehearsal room. It sounds great but there are other set-ups I like as much or more. I like the Kern and Demeter as much with the IP. I like the Millennia stuff the best.

JC

[lo-freq]

The biggest thing with preamps is matching up with your tonal goals.

The DB680 has enough EQ and gain options, I would think you could dial-in just about whatever you wanted.

Not sure if the 680 will do uber-grundgy or at the other end of the spectrum, the super-clean, super-fast, tight sound of the Millennia units (STT-1 or TD-1), but it is an extremely versatile preamp.

[jaysbass]

Originally Posted by Bassflute

check out my preamp reviews when I was searching for the best thing to go with my IP rig.

I found it, courtesy of the wise old Bowlus, and it's name is Summit Audio...and it's 1/2 the price, 1/4 of the weight, and 1/4 of the size of the Aguilar.

Cheers,
Cameron

I actually have the Summit. For the most part I really like it, but the problem is the lack of tone control. I've got into situations where I really needed eq and had none to work with.

[jaysbass]

Originally Posted by Joelc73

I'm actually using that exact set-up right now in my rehearsal room. It sounds great but there are other set-ups I like as much or more. I like the Kern and Demeter as much with the IP. I like the Millennia stuff the best.

JC

Not that the Aguilar wasn't expensive, but from what I can tell, the Millennia are twice as expensive (at least what I was able to get it for). I've heard nothing but good things about the Kern, but have never seen one for sale...I'm sure it happens, I've just never seen it. I have tried Demeter preamps (a long time ago), as I recall it was missing a bit of the low end rumble I like.

[Joelc73]

Originally Posted by jaysbass

Not that the Aguilar wasn't expensive, but from what I can tell, the Millennia are twice as expensive (at least what I was able to get it for). I've heard nothing but good things about the Kern, but have never seen one for sale...I'm sure it happens, I've just never seen it. I have tried Demeter preamps (a long time ago), as I recall it was missing a bit of the low end rumble I like.

None of this stuff is cheap!

The Millennia STT-1 is very expensive. If you have the money and need, it's a killer, killer front end. Probably more bells and whistles than most people need. I like the flexibility of the discrete tube and SS pre-amp sections.

The Millennia TD-1 is significantly less money. It uses the HV-3 mic pre and sounds amazing. Very transparent and pure. It also has an amazing DI built in (which is an option on the STT-1.)

Surprised you didn't like the Demeter. I would try one again -- they are pretty amazing. I like the VTBP201 a lot with the IP's. Other's prefer the HBP1 for the parametric EQ -- but I don't.

Or find a Kern -- they are great.

I've got both Aguilar's (680 and 659). I like the 680 better with the IP's -- but both are great pre-amps in their own right.

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by jaysbass

I actually have the Summit. For the most part I really like it, but the problem is the lack of tone control. I've got into situations where I really needed eq and had none to work with.

http://www.klarkteknik.com/dn360.php

http://www.ashly.com/mqxseriesgraphic.html

http://www.dbxpro.com/EQ_Family.php

I got the stereo version of this:

http://www.tcelectronic.com/TC1140.asp

for $350.00 used. Incredible thing... + or - 20dB, bandwidth from 2 octaves to 1/10th of an octave...try and find some good PA eq's used...the Klark Tekniks stuff sounds amazing; British warm, rich...be careful, though, some of them are cut only.

Cheers,
Cameron

[lo-freq]

Originally Posted by Bassflute

http://www.klarkteknik.com/dn360.php

http://www.ashly.com/mqxseriesgraphic.html

http://www.dbxpro.com/EQ_Family.php

I got the stereo version of this:

http://www.tcelectronic.com/TC1140.asp

for $350.00 used. Incredible thing... + or - 20dB, bandwidth from 2 octaves to 1/10th of an octave...try and find some good PA eq's used...the Klark Tekniks stuff sounds amazing; British warm, rich...be careful, though, some of them are cut only.

Cheers,
Cameron

...or keep it in the family -- http://www.summitaudio.com/feq50.html

Somewhat OT: I think that the TC1140 has enough gain to use as a bass preamp on its own -- if I'm not mistaken.

[lo-freq]

Originally Posted by lo-freq

...or keep it in the family -- http://www.summitaudio.com/feq50.html

...

I thought it would be cool to have a custom made 1/2 rack wide 3 space mini rack to put together your 3 favorite 1/2 rack width Summit front end devices.

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by lo-freq

...or keep it in the family -- http://www.summitaudio.com/feq50.html

Somewhat OT: I think that the TC1140 has enough gain to use as a bass preamp on its own -- if I'm not mistaken.

Originally Posted by lo-freq

I thought it would be cool to have a custom made 1/2 rack wide 3 space mini rack to put together your 3 favorite 1/2 rack width Summit front end devices.

has 1/2 space 'rack ears'...

http://rupertneve.com/products/accessories/

I gotta try some of that stuff...SUPER expensive, though.

And yes the TC 2140 has +20 dBu of gain, so more than enough to drive the IP...it's just not a GREAT sounding pre. Better as an EQ device running at unity gain...then it's fairly neutral.

Cheers,
Cameron

[jaysbass]

Originally Posted by Bassflute

has 1/2 space 'rack ears'...

http://rupertneve.com/products/accessories/

I gotta try some of that stuff...SUPER expensive, though.

And yes the TC 2140 has +20 dBu of gain, so more than enough to drive the IP...it's just not a GREAT sounding pre. Better as an EQ device running at unity gain...then it's fairly neutral.

Cheers,
Cameron

Lol....and I thought that dealing with the Parametric EQ on the DB680 will be challenging! These look like great EQ units though.

[jaysbass]

So the DB680 arrived today! My first impression is that it sounds really good. I can definitely get more bottom out of it than the Summit (since the summit has no EQ control) with my P Bass. The one thing I'm not sure of is that it sounds much noisier than the Summit. There is a bit of static noise coming through. It did seem to come through less as it warmed up some, but it was still pretty noisy. Any DB680 owners notice this, or is it a problem with my unit?

[lo-freq]

Originally Posted by jaysbass

So the DB680 arrived today! My first impression is that it sounds really good. I can definitely get more bottom out of it than the Summit (since the summit has no EQ control) with my P Bass. The one thing I'm not sure of is that it sounds much noisier than the Summit. There is a bit of static noise coming through. It did seem to come through less as it warmed up some, but it was still pretty noisy. Any DB680 owners notice this, or is it a problem with my unit?

These were designed to be used in recording studios as well as in live performance.

The noise is probably from one or more tubes.
I'll let someone with direct experience advise from here, but you might be able to swap around some of the 12AX7 tubes in different orders and see how it responds.
Do you have access to an owner's manual?

[lo-freq]

Originally Posted by lo-freq

These were designed to be used in recording studios as well as in live performance.

The noise is probably from one or more tubes.
I'll let someone with direct experience advise from here, but you might be able to swap around some of the 12AX7 tubes in different orders and see how it responds.
Do you have access to an owner's manual?

Looks like one is online here -- http://www.aguilaramp.com/pdf/support_manuals_db680.pdf

[jaysbass]

Originally Posted by lo-freq

Looks like one is online here -- http://www.aguilaramp.com/pdf/support_manuals_db680.pdf

Interesting. I'll have to play around with moving the tubes around. Thanks for the suggestion and link!