5 Preamp choices , which do you like best

[Fuzzbass]

Yamaha PB1 used in nice shape , $300
Demeter HBP-1 used in nice shape, $550
Pearce BC1 used in nice shape, $ 425
A new Tech 21 RBI OR RPM about $400 with taxes .

Me, I like to add subtle to medium tube overdrive to my tone. For that I highly recommend either the RBI or RPM. The RPM has less tonal coloration than the RBI, and can produce more distortion on the far end of the dial. Still, I give the nod to the RBI. To me, the presence control is magic: it adds aggressive zingy grit on the top end, especially valuable with my tweeterless Bergantino NV610 cab.

I owned the Yamaha for awhile. It has great features, but is too polite for my taste. Good choice if you want clean and flat.

I haven't tried the Pearce and have too little experience with the Demeter to comment, but both are well regarded.

In short, they're all nice pieces of gear. The question is, which will work better for you? You're already figuring that out!

 

[BurningSkies]

I disagree.

My Jule Monique sounds incredible and is just over 20lbs in a 4U rack with a 2000w poweramp. Not micro amp tiny, but worth lugging around a rack unit IMO as it kills every other amp I have owned/played (including a SM 12.0 and a GBE1200 that I previously owned). Not cheap at about $1k for a rack version, but worth the $$$ to me.

A Mike Pope, Demeter or Alembic (or the SVP or RBI/RPM) are all 1U, so a a fairly compact/light 2-3U rack is an option.

For quality tube Preamps I'd list Demeter, the Monique, Read Purity, Alembic, SVP, and the Kern IP-777.

My preamp stable consists of the Jule Amps Monique and the Kern IP-777. Both provide a different palate of tones. The Kern to me is like the most idealized form of the Fender style Bassman 12AX7 tone (with the ability to go from vintage to modern within that tonal range). The Monique, which is more like a B-15 humped an SVT and a Sunn and the baby has the best attributes of all of those and the ability to do both the vintage and modern sides of THAT type of tone.

 

[smokin-bear]

+1 on Monique

 

[bkbirge]

Here's the ones that I like...

<--- yes it has enough gain to be used as a preamp

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I haven't tried the REDDI yet and I love my TAB but I have no doubt it lives up to the hype, all A-designs gear is awesome...
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[BurningSkies]

Reddi is definitely more of a DI than a preamp. Channel strips and pedals definitely kill it for me on the form factor. If I can't rack it with an amp easily I don't want to mess with it.

 

[bkbirge]

Reddi is definitely more of a DI than a preamp. Channel strips and pedals definitely kill it for me on the form factor. If I can't rack it with an amp easily I don't want to mess with it.

It's a DI with a preamp. Engineers use it direct to tape all the time, no other gain needed. I hear ya on form factor. You can always get one of these...

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CPS501/

..and mount those 500 series pres in one rack space.

 

[tombowlus]

That's a good price on the Demeter, and that would be my top choice, even if the price tag were a good bit higher. Nothing against the other pre's mentioned, but the HBP-1 is a darned fine preamp.

 

[Jammin Johneboy]

Why is it picking equipment is so torturous ? LOL

Hi guys , I am torn between the SansAmp RPM and two other preamps , the Demeter HBP-1 the ART PRO Channel II .

Seems B Max T is out of production ? , but they show a BBE B Max ( no T ) . Is the BBE B Max mostly the same?

There is a used Alembic FB-2 for sale asking $800 , but that is too much for me .

Right now I am thinking of writing to the guy with the Demeter . My thinking is that another Demeter HBP-1 will be hard to find used in Ontario .Where as with the SansAmp RPM I would be buying new , so it would always be available .

 

[Jammin Johneboy]

I just got back a reply from my first e-mail to the Demeter owner, he says he thinks the unit is a 2007 model . Would this unit have the Jensen transformer?

post script : Just got some more info: it does not have the Jensen transformer . Would that be a deal breaker ?