Help Me Choose a Preamp!

[Hactar]

Okay, so I finally acquired most of the important bits of my first "real" rig.
I'm running a QSC RMX850 into a GK 115SBX II cab.
I play a Ibanez GSR200 and a Yamaha RBX170.
Styles-wise, everything from jazz to Queens of the Stone Age.

I'm looking for a preamp, and most importantly, it needs to be versatile and give me a decent range of sounds.
It would be nice if I had EQ and compression at the very least. Other fun features like drive/FX/etc. are nice, but not necessary.
Rackmount would be nice, but pedal format is fine.
The key is that it needs to be able to drive a power amp.

So, I turn to you, Talkbass.

Preamps I've been considering:
Zoom B2
ART Pro Channel
ART Tube PAC
EHX Bass Metaphors
Eden WTDI
BBE BMAX
Behringer Bass V-Amp Pro
ART Tube MP
...etc.

I realize that I probably have not provided enough info, but help narrowing things down would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

[RickenBoogie]

Not all of what you listed will drive a poweramp on its own. You need to check the output specs on those pre's to see what they put out, and match that to what your poweramp needs to work properly. After that, it's just personal preferences.

[CL400Peavey]

have you considered a tech 21 sansamp?

[Hactar]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Not all of what you listed will drive a poweramp on its own. You need to check the output specs on those pre's to see what they put out, and match that to what your poweramp needs to work properly. After that, it's just personal preferences.

Yeah, that is one thing that I need to figure out.
Unfortunately, it is very unclear due to most manufacturers not listing output levels.
Can you tell me which of those preamps you know will not drive a power amp?

EDIT: The input sensitivity of the RMX is listed as 1.15V (+3.4 dBu).

Thanks

[Hactar]

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

have you considered a tech 21 sansamp?

I know of it, but not sure I like the sound...

Right now, I'm really leaning toward a Zoom B2 or B2.1u.
Can anyone offer experience as to how well these drive a power amp?

I just played through a EHX Bass Metaphors and an Eden WTDI yesterday.
Didn't like the Metaphors, the Eden was nice but stayed very clean and the compressor seems to do very little up to 3 o'clock, past that it squashes things into oblivion.

[rickwebb]

the BBE MAX units are nice, and so are the Tech 21 units.

[xring]

I use a Pro Channel, and have a Presonus Studio Channel. Both work great. The Presonus will push your QSC better than my Crown (and it's for sale).

[Floyd Eye]

RBI or RPM.

[Hactar]

Originally Posted by xring

I use a Pro Channel, and have a Presonus Studio Channel. Both work great. The Presonus will push your QSC better than my Crown (and it's for sale).

The Studio Channel looks quite nice and is 1RU, which is an extra bonus. However, it's a bit above my price range, unless I could find one used for stupid cheap. Also, the lack of IO options kinda deters me.

[Hactar]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

RBI or RPM.

Do you know how well the RBI would push a power amp?
The output level?