Preamp/DI

bassboysam · #1 03-09-2009, 10:22 AM

I have been researching DI's and Preamps over the past few days and have not found exactly what I am looking for. What I am looking for is something with the following:

Decent DI
Some Tone shaping, overdrive (like a SABDDI) so that if my amp dies at a gig I can still get a good sound.
and a headphone out
preferably in a stompbox size enclosure.

The SABDDI is close to what I am looking for but just missing the headphone out, the Avalon U5 has the headphone out but not much as far as an eq or distortion. i know i could get some sort of headphone amp to go along with the SABDDI but i am trying to see if I can get everything all in one

any suggestions....

katri · #2 03-09-2009, 11:06 AM

Check out the DHA VT-1-EQ. It has all the things you are after.

bassboysam · #3 03-09-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katri

Check out the DHA VT-1-EQ. It has all the things you are after.

that looks very interesting. thanks

bongomania · #4 03-09-2009, 01:11 PM

I've forgotten, does the EBS MicroBass II have a headphone jack? If so, it would fit the bill.

bassboysam · #5 03-09-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I've forgotten, does the EBS MicroBass II have a headphone jack? If so, it would fit the bill.

I was just looking at that...it does have a headphone jack, however it is $100 more. I also like the fact that the DHA is tube driven and not solid state.

Has anyone tried the DHA VT1-EQ-Bass? Can't seem to find too much info on it other than the DHA site. Also does anyone know if the DI output is pre or post EQ and OD?

bongomania · #6 03-09-2009, 01:47 PM

I wrote a review of the non-EQ version, that you can find in the TB reviews section. I think there's one other DHA review up there. Also people have posted their thoughts in a few threads here, so give "dha" a search and you'll turn up some good stuff.

DHA · #7 03-09-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboysam

I was just looking at that...it does have a headphone jack, however it is $100. I also like the fact that the DHA is tube driven and not solid state.

Has anyone tried the DHA VT1-EQ-Bass? Can't seem to find too much info on it other than the DHA site. Also does anyone know if the DI output is pre or post EQ and OD?

Hi,

The DI and headphone amp are on all the time, i.e. still on even when the pedal is in by-pass. The DI and the headphone amp are both after the EQ and OD. There is also a Line in which allows you to play along to iPods, CDs, etc. via the headphone amp.

I hope that helps.

Dave

bassboysam · #8 03-10-2009, 02:59 AM

that does help. thanks dave. One more question though, maybe its stupid but i'm not an expert with these kinds of things. If the pedal is bypassed what sound goes out of the DI/Headphone amp? Is it a dry signal from the bass or do the EQ knobs and switches still affect the sound?

thanks

DHA · #9 03-10-2009, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboysam

that does help. thanks dave. One more question though, maybe its stupid but i'm not an expert with these kinds of things. If the pedal is bypassed what sound goes out of the DI/Headphone amp? Is it a dry signal from the bass or do the EQ knobs and switches still affect the sound?

thanks

It's just the dry signal from the bass and the EQ, boost and OD is by-passed. So in By-pass its a DI with line in and headphones.

bassboysam · #10 03-10-2009, 06:16 AM

that's pretty much exactly what I am looking for. Its like a SABDDI but with real tube OD instead of emulation, a mid control, and a headphone out. that pretty much addresses everyone's gripes about the SABDDI.

I think I am going to get me a DHA-VT1-EQ-Bass.

DHA · #11 03-10-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboysam

that's pretty much exactly what I am looking for. Its like a SABDDI but with real tube OD instead of emulation, a mid control, and a headphone out. that pretty much addresses everyone's gripes about the SABDDI.

I think I am going to get me a DHA-VT1-EQ-Bass.

good news, talk to John at www.davehallampsusa.com as he looks after the US and Canada.

RosatoFamily · #12 03-11-2009, 08:05 PM

bassboysam · #13 03-12-2009, 02:37 AM

thanks, are you guys going to put up some clips for this unit on the websites? Also typically I am not a fan of the 12AX7 sound, have you ever tried a 5751 in there instead? Maybe 12AY7's or 6N1P. to my ear the OD from these tubes is smoother...I was planning on experimenting with some once I get mine. Hoping to place an order in the next week or so.

DHA · #14 03-12-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboysam

thanks, are you guys going to put up some clips for this unit on the websites? Also typically I am not a fan of the 12AX7 sound, have you ever tried a 5751 in there instead? Maybe 12AY7's or 6N1P. to my ear the OD from these tubes is smoother...I was planning on experimenting with some once I get mine. Hoping to place an order in the next week or so.

The 12AX7 is the stock tube but lots of customers swap in others to adjust the tone and gain. In fact there is quite a thing going on in the UK with DHA customers swapping tubes, try a search on finnbass.com for reviews on swapping tubes.

I use old Mullard ECC83 in my own pedals which I use when gigging. I think John at DHA-USA uses different tubes to us in the UK anyway but I can't remember what it is?

Dave

fishtx · #15 03-12-2009, 06:12 AM

I have been through so many DI/preamps it's not even funny (ie BDDI, RBI, Sadowsky, Seymour Duncan Paranormal, Tone Hammer, Tonebone, etc...), just trying to find that "one" to fall in love with, but haven't really found it yet...I'm back to using just the DI out on the back of my amp...and recently picked up a Radial JDI passive DI...BUT now...

This VT1-EQ-Bass pedal looks pretty cool and interesting to me...I'm gonna start looking in to this pedal...

bassboysam · #16 03-14-2009, 01:08 AM

Dave, for recording purposes, can the DHA VT1-EQ-Bass be used between the amp and the speaker? Or is the input from the speaker out too hot for this unit? I just ask because I like to get the sound of the power tubes when I record.

thanks

bongomania · #17 03-14-2009, 01:11 AM

You need a significant (like 30 dB) pad on the input to do that safely. I can't speak for Dave, but I would not try that except with a device that is specifically designed for that purpose, of which there are several on the market.

DHA · #18 03-14-2009, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboysam

Dave, for recording purposes, can the DHA VT1-EQ-Bass be used between the amp and the speaker? Or is the input from the speaker out too hot for this unit? I just ask because I like to get the sound of the power tubes when I record.

thanks

NO! If you mean between the amp and speakers.

It would not harm the VT1 as it has a tube signal path but any SS pedal would fry. The output level would not drive the speakers but the real issue would be your power amp as it is expecting to see an impedance of 4-8ohms. The VT1 has an input impedance of 1M ohms, you will most like fry your amps tubes and/or output transformer.

It might be possible to hook it onto the speakers which are still connected to the amp but the level will be very high and an extra i/p pad would be required. But this would only be okay if the pedal was on, i.e. tubes selected, if the pedal was put into by-pass then the SS headphone amp and DI circuit would be burnt out if the level when above 12V which it might if the i/p pad was not correctly set.

I would not recommend this.

bassboysam · #19 03-14-2009, 03:51 AM

no i would still have a speaker connected to the amp at the same time but I guess something like the JDI or Countryman would be better for that purpose but the VT1 would be better (for me) for live applications. Thanks for the info.

bassboysam · #20 03-30-2009, 09:47 AM

Placed an order for the VT1 and it just shipped out. Hope to have it in the next few days here...