Hi,
I‘ve been using Shift-Line Olympic MKII tube preamp for almost two years now. Very satisfied with its sound, small footprint and connectivity, not so much with its versatility. For those who don‘t know it - it has a single 12ax7 tube controlled with Gain, Treble and Bass (BOOST only) and Middle (CUT only), Bright switch and a Master knob (however this doesn‘t affect DI out signal, only 1/4" out). Additionaly it has phones and aux ins outs and an FXs loop.
It is fine when playing jazz standards and blues, however I would need more EQ and gain/saturation tweakability for pop and rock songs we play later at night. That is why I would prefer to have a footswitch with a good tube drive simulation and an active EQ.
Sadly I have a limited budget (max 350€/$), so preferably would buy second-hand.
I‘ve searched many websites, but didn‘t find anything suitable to replace my small reliable Olympic. Only exception might be Ampeg SGT-DI, that oone might be actually ideal, however it‘s too expensive and imposible to buy used.
Do you guys have any recommendations on a preamp that would have Olympic’s advantages (quality sound and build, small footprint, connectivity) and match my versatility needs? Thanks.
PS: I know there already is a plethora of preamp threads here, I‘ve read a lot of them.
I‘ve been using Shift-Line Olympic MKII tube preamp for almost two years now. Very satisfied with its sound, small footprint and connectivity, not so much with its versatility. For those who don‘t know it - it has a single 12ax7 tube controlled with Gain, Treble and Bass (BOOST only) and Middle (CUT only), Bright switch and a Master knob (however this doesn‘t affect DI out signal, only 1/4" out). Additionaly it has phones and aux ins outs and an FXs loop.
It is fine when playing jazz standards and blues, however I would need more EQ and gain/saturation tweakability for pop and rock songs we play later at night. That is why I would prefer to have a footswitch with a good tube drive simulation and an active EQ.
Sadly I have a limited budget (max 350€/$), so preferably would buy second-hand.
I‘ve searched many websites, but didn‘t find anything suitable to replace my small reliable Olympic. Only exception might be Ampeg SGT-DI, that oone might be actually ideal, however it‘s too expensive and imposible to buy used.
Do you guys have any recommendations on a preamp that would have Olympic’s advantages (quality sound and build, small footprint, connectivity) and match my versatility needs? Thanks.
PS: I know there already is a plethora of preamp threads here, I‘ve read a lot of them.
