BBE-BMAX vs. Tech21 Sansamp RBI (HELP)

Snakeman1066 · #1 04-21-2008, 03:35 PM

ok thinking seriously about going with a rack mount pre-amp...played a few today and narrowed it down to two....the Tech21 Sansamp RBI, and the BBE-BMAX......i have to say i'm leaning towards the BBE (sounds better to my personal ears), but the bass guy at my local high end shop is trying to ram the Tech21 down my throat....

want actual real world expereinces from people who have actually used these items....

Thanks for your help

grace & groove · #2 04-21-2008, 03:37 PM

Well what do you like/dislike about each? And have you tried the Tech 21 Sansamp RPM? Much better than the RBI in my opinion...

I think an ultimate set-up would be both the BBE and the RPM.

Snakeman1066 · #3 04-21-2008, 03:46 PM

Thanks for the suggestion....this stuff is really starting to make my head hurt...lol

normally i'm just a plug and play....player but lately i have become addicted to finding a certain sound......

i can't put my finger on it exactly but the BBE just sounds bigger and better to my ears....

rustynuts · #4 04-21-2008, 03:55 PM

I'm looking at all three right now -- the BMAX, the RBI and the RPM -- and so far the BMAX is my choice for tone.

stflbn · #5 04-21-2008, 03:57 PM

Don't forget the Bmax-T which is the Tube version.

Muuuch meatier tone in my opinion.

grace & groove · #6 04-21-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Don't forget the Bmax-T which is the Tube version.

Muuuch meatier tone in my opinion.

Twice the price though.

jsm81 · #7 04-21-2008, 04:01 PM

I play a jazz with single coils and I like my sansamp BDDI better than the Bmax. I thought the Bmax was to "airy" sounding, but everyone's got their own sound they're looking for.

grace & groove · #8 04-21-2008, 04:03 PM

^Well I think for soapbars that the BBE would be better because you get that clear full sound. With single coils though you can get that great gritty tone with the BDDI.

rustynuts · #9 04-21-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grace & groove

Twice the price though.

Yep, but I'm still considering it.

grace & groove · #10 04-21-2008, 04:49 PM

^If really want to get a $600 tube preamp, IMO nothing compares to the Alembic F1-X.

rustynuts · #11 04-21-2008, 04:50 PM

(Sorry to hijack the thread...)

No one around here carries the Alembic. I may have to do some traveling to check that one out. I'm in no hurry.

grace & groove · #12 04-21-2008, 04:53 PM

(Sorry as well to hijack your thread

)

Well you can start by listening to preamps on http://www.basstasters.com, it's on there. That's one of the greatest resources for preamp shopping on the internet, so I recommend this for the TS too.

rustynuts · #13 04-21-2008, 04:55 PM

Oh, now that will come in handy. Thanks!

callofthebow · #14 04-21-2008, 07:08 PM

BBE has worked out for me amazingly. I play a highly modded P through various effects straight into the active input. I love it and maybe one day I will upgrade to the tube version.

srxplayer · #15 04-21-2008, 09:09 PM

I have been using a BMax for almost two years and I love the thing. I use it with a Sansamp BDDI at times but lately have been running the BMax by itself.

I was originally looking for a a Tech 21 RBI but I could only find the BMax available for me to try out. The store told me to take it home and return it if I don't like it. Two years later I'm still using and like it even more. It can be warm and clean or warm and gritty. Not as gritty as my BDDI but gritty enough for me to get what I want.

I don't think you will dissapointed in the BMax.

manmountain8 · #16 04-22-2008, 01:14 AM

I personally don't like the sansamps. At least the RBI has mid control, and I hear it's a little less noisy than the BDDI, but that's not enough for me to recommend it. The BBE B-Max is a cleaner sound so if you want that extra grit than look elsewhere, but I think the BBE is a better product. I have always been a fan of the sonic maximizer. For $300 you couldn't find a better preamp. I have also been shopping for a preamp and the BBE-Bmax is still on my list of possibles. I'd love to get an Aguilar DB680 but they are like a grand used. The DB659 which sells used for around $600 is on the top of my list right now. I am also considering the Alembic FX-1, and the SWR IOD which both sell used for under $400. The Alembic sounds good but the complicated EQ has me worried. The SWR has some great overdriven sounds if thats what your looking for. Real tubes instead of tube emulation for just a little more. Maybe consider those too. Maybe even a used BBE-Bmax tube which is $600 new.

arjune · #17 04-22-2008, 01:17 AM

I had a BMax, and I liked it, but it just didn't do it all for me. Right now, I've got the RBI, and I haven't had a chance to try it out yet in a live setting or with a band, but I'm liking what I've heard out of my practice cabinet at home. It has some killer distortion. Now I'm just looking to get an Aphex Aural Exciter from some killer low end.

basadam · #18 04-22-2008, 05:36 AM

One thing to consider: RBI has speaker-sim built-in so you can hook it directly to PA if you want or if need be. I don't know anything about B-Max but I am a fan of BBE process.

grace & groove · #19 04-22-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manmountain8

I personally don't like the sansamps. At least the RBI has mid control, and I hear it's a little less noisy than the BDDI, but that's not enough for me to recommend it. The BBE B-Max is a cleaner sound so if you want that extra grit than look elsewhere, but I think the BBE is a better product. I have always been a fan of the sonic maximizer. For $300 you couldn't find a better preamp. I have also been shopping for a preamp and the BBE-Bmax is still on my list of possibles. I'd love to get an Aguilar DB680 but they are like a grand used. The DB659 which sells used for around $600 is on the top of my list right now. I am also considering the Alembic FX-1, and the SWR IOD which both sell used for under $400. The Alembic sounds good but the complicated EQ has me worried. The SWR has some great overdriven sounds if thats what your looking for. Real tubes instead of tube emulation for just a little more. Maybe consider those too. Maybe even a used BBE-Bmax tube which is $600 new.

I believe the Alembic's EQ is passive parametric, it isn't really complicated just different.

manmountain8 · #20 04-23-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grace & groove

I believe the Alembic's EQ is passive parametric, it isn't really complicated just different.

I just read that when you turn each knob it changes what the other knobs do. I also read that flat is 2-10-2. That sounds a little funky to me.