Ampeg SVT vacuum tube D.I.?

[High Camp]

I did not know this existed, until I came across one on "Markplaats" (kinda dutch version of Craigslist).
≥ Ampeg SVT vacuüm tube direct injection - Soundmodules - Marktplaats.nl

Has anyone got any experience with this D.I.?
Is it something like the Reddi?

I'm still very (pleasantly) surprised by this find.

 

[beans-on-toast]

It is a product that Ampeg no longer makes. You can find used ones on the market. A lot of people like it. It is very different than the REDDI, not in the same league in my opinion.

There is a current Ampeg DI being offered: Ampeg: Pedals - SCR-DI.

The old DI is being offered but not by Loud. It sells for $600US: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[coreyfyfe]

There's a good comparison here between the SVT-DI and REDDI. I got an older SVT-DI in need of some repair fairly cheap, and have been really happy with it. Great sounding, warm with a little roundness in the bottom/softness in the highs. Been my main live and studio DI for a while. Really happy with mine.

 

[S.fasciani]

Which tube is in this DI? I see both 12au7 and 12ax7 being mentioned but nothing is listed on the manual from Ampeg.
The khan DI has a 12au7 so can I deduce that this has the same?

 

[coreyfyfe]

Should be a 12AU7 as far as I know. I've seen 12AX7 in places as well, but the schematics I've seen and the Khan are all 12AU7.

 

[S.fasciani]

Thanks.
12au7s rock.

 

[beans-on-toast]

The 12AU7 provides more current drive capacity over the 12AX7. It's odd that they don't mention the tube type in the SLM Ampeg manual. It is not in the schematic as well. But yes 12AU7 is what it came with.

 

[chadds]

The 12AU7 provides more current drive capacity over the 12AX7. It's odd that they don't mention the tube type in the SLM Ampeg manual. It is not in the schematic as well. But yes 12AU7 is what it came with.

I remember the tube is not in the schematic because it was glowing there for appearance only. This was stated in a BP review. Still may sound good.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I remember the tube is not in the schematic because it was glowing there for appearance only. This was stated in a BP review. Still may sound good.

There's a light that glows for appearance, maybe that's what you're thinking of? [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], I was remembering a tube designation being there, but I was thinking of this schematic which is not the official ampeg one.

 

[chadds]

There's a light that glows for appearance, maybe that's what you're thinking of? [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], I was remembering a tube designation being there, but I was thinking of this schematic which is not the official ampeg one.

Oops. There they are. Tube and light. Unlike a politician I can admit that "You" were wrong. LOL
Seriously thanks.

 

[JimmyM]

Ya, Ampeg was never fond of glory tubes

 

[BassmanPaul]

thanks for posting that first schematic Corey. It’s somewhat similar to what I came up with in my own little tube pre-amp. I used a reverse connected Altec transformer in mine, 15K to a pair of 300Ω windings. One winding drives my power amp the other for PA. Driver tube is a parallel connected 12AT7. it gets it's signal via two 220K mixer resistors directly from the plates of the tone control recovery stage for each of the two channels.

 

[sheltjo6]

There's a good comparison here between the SVT-DI and REDDI. I got an older SVT-DI in need of some repair fairly cheap, and have been really happy with it. Great sounding, warm with a little roundness in the bottom/softness in the highs. Been my main live and studio DI for a while. Really happy with mine.

Just tested my SVT DI tonight. This DI rocks!!!! Definitely warmed up the tone of my P bass in the house mains.

 

[JimmyM]

Bumping this thread because a friend of mine is letting me borrow his SVT-DI for a couple weeks, so I get to do my own REDDI/SVT-DI comparison. I just sat with both for a half hour, and I thought to myself how decadent I am playing through both these really super tube DI's! They are definitely more alike than different, but there are some subtle differences...REDDI seems a tiny bit tighter and brighter, and maybe there's a hint of compression that I don't notice in the REDDI. But they both sound like clean running Ampeg tube amps being speaker DI'd, just slightly different takes on them. In other people's comparos, I have usually slightly favored the REDDI, but sitting with both myself, I'm finding something quite pleasing about the SVT-DI that I didn't pick up on in recordings. And I can say with certainty that the SVT-DI's tube is not a glory tube. You can use it with or without the tube, and there is a noticeable difference in sound and feel with the tube.

Will try to do some comparo recordings next week with these two DI's plus my PF-50T's transformer XLR. But while I continue to take a backseat to nobody in my love for the REDDI, I was quite impressed with the SVT-DI.

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

Bumping this thread because a friend of mine is letting me borrow his SVT-DI for a couple weeks, so I get to do my own REDDI/SVT-DI comparison. I just sat with both for a half hour, and I thought to myself how decadent I am playing through both these really super tube DI's! They are definitely more alike than different, but there are some subtle differences...REDDI seems a tiny bit tighter and brighter, and maybe there's a hint of compression that I don't notice in the REDDI. But they both sound like clean running Ampeg tube amps being speaker DI'd, just slightly different takes on them. In other people's comparos, I have usually slightly favored the REDDI, but sitting with both myself, I'm finding something quite pleasing about the SVT-DI that I didn't pick up on in recordings. And I can say with certainty that the SVT-DI's tube is not a glory tube. You can use it with or without the tube, and there is a noticeable difference in sound and feel with the tube.

Will try to do some comparo recordings next week with these two DI's plus my PF-50T's transformer XLR. But while I continue to take a backseat to nobody in my love for the REDDI, I was quite impressed with the SVT-DI.

Something I really enjoyed about the SVTDI (well, I had a Khan VTDI) was that it made >12-fret notes sound slightly beefier. I believe, a long while back, you had pointed out that this was also the case with the REDDI. And, yes, I also noted that the VTDI smoothed out transients very slightly...sounded so good!

 

[JimmyM]

Something I really enjoyed about the SVTDI (well, I had a Khan VTDI) was that it made >12-fret notes sound slightly beefier. I believe, a long while back, you had pointed out that this was also the case with the REDDI. And, yes, I also noted that the VTDI smoothed out transients very slightly...sounded so good!

Yep, definitely the case with the REDDI and high notes, too. And speaking of transients, I think I'm going to try out one of these 1960's Russian 6N1P's I have in the REDDI and see what happens. I remember it boosted the gain and the lows, but by a considerable amount. I ended up going back to the stock Sovtek because of that...and now I wish I hadn't bought three of them at $35 a pop

 

[BogeyBass]

I was wondering if the Ampeg tube DI would ever come up.
Should have said something when everyone was raving about the Reddi.

Probably would be kinda trollish to some. Like hey just get used ampeg tube DI

I know Behringer has tube pre. Also has limiter, few cab sims, phantom power etc etc. But it's expensive. Like 40 bucks

 

[JimmyM]

I was wondering if the Ampeg tube DI would ever come up.
Should have said something when everyone was raving about the Reddi.

Probably would be kinda trollish to some. Like hey just get used ampeg tube DI

Well hey, the REDDI does deserve its raves But I just did a quick little test recording of them with one of my Precisions and they definitely sound more alike than different. I want to listen with fresh ears before I comment further, but I might have been wrong about there being more compression and low end in the SVT-DI, although there is definitely a little more high mid and highs content in the REDDI. It's not a huge difference, though, and both are pretty doggone nice!

 

[BogeyBass]

Quick tube swap can change things sometimes too. It's part of the magic of tubes and the personality they add.

One tube can have certain artifacts and you think it's the unit. And after a change its completely different.

I checked used listings for the Ampeg DI. Think people raising prices. I remember them being fairly cheap and kinda under the radar nobody seemed to hear of them.

 

[davelowell2]

@JimmyM
I’d love to hear the REDDI vs PF50T transformer output if you do it.

I bought a Broughton P-15 and am happy with it but I’m always curious about the PF50T. And the SVTDI. I Ampeg.