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Bass Preamps

#42
JimmyM said:
You can get preamps with an output transformer, too. The REDDI's not the only thing on the market with them. Jule Amps Monique, for one. Can't argue with you otherwise, but take that same desk and plug in something with a tube/transformer design like the REDDI or Monique and forget about it.
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This preamp has an output transformer although it hummed quite a bit at one stage, so I packed it underneath with some neoprene tape.
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I've used this preamp in various configurations over the last 10+ years :- driving powered cabs, a self build combo, passive cabs with a stereo power amp. until my all tube amp arrives it drives my two 1/2" ply self build Eminence 15" neo loaded cabs via an Ashdown Little Giant 1000.
 
#43
That's not a pre-amplifier, that's a pre-magnifier...says so on the label! How dare you!!!

:D

Never saw that one before. But I have to admit I just looked at its manual and didn't see mention of an output transformer. I did see mention of a torroidial power transformer, though. Not quite an OT but it does beat wall wart technology by a longshot IMHO except for that Kern.
 
#44
JimmyM said:
That's not a pre-amplifier, that's a pre-magnifier...says so on the label! How dare you!!!

:D

Never saw that one before. But I have to admit I just looked at its manual and didn't see mention of an output transformer. I did see mention of a torroidial power transformer, though. Not quite an OT but it does beat wall wart technology by a longshot IMHO except for that Kern.
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Sorry you're quite correct it is a mains power transformer.
The unit was expensive over 10 years ago, in excess of £500 approx $775 USD but it is great for biamping due to the excellent variable active crossover which has hi, low and full range outputs, I ran the 15" full range and the 2x10 @ 120hz upwards
 
#48
JimmyM said:
Hey Chadds, does the Monique do dirt at all?
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Yes. The gain control adds it. It's reactive to your touch so it will clean up when you lighten your touch. There are two levels of edge. One when you pull the gain control knob out it makes the whole thing instantly more responsive. It was perfect as it was just now you have more!:) Then cranking it you don't hear it til you bear down. So it's not an on/off effect but a natural extension. It never sounds synthetic.
 
#49
Son of Bovril said:
I personally can recommend the Fender TBP-1 and Eden Navigator preamps, both tube, although the eden is much less vintage in it's tone and less "Tubey" sounding.

To be honest though you read a lot about how you HAVE to have tubes in your amp for it to sound good and fatten up the tone, but that really isn't the case at all. there are many great Solid state designs that sound fatter and better IMO than many of the tube ones. Sure if you are gonna be laying down serious dough for a top of the line piece of studio equipment then you may very well hear the difference but at the price point of gear this thread is discussing, I don't think you should limit yourself to tubes only, because in most designs preamp tubes don't really even make that much of a difference...

if you were talking about tube power sections, that is a different game. Just saying, don't look over some really great pieces of solid state gear just because you heard somewhere that tubes are better...
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An excellent example is the Glock BAC. Not a tube in sight. Yet it has the warmth and clarity that exceeds, to me, most hybrid gear.
 
#50
chadds said:
Yes. The gain control adds it. It's reactive to your touch so it will clean up when you lighten your touch. There are two levels of edge. One when you pull the gain control knob out it makes the whole thing instantly more responsive. It was perfect as it was just now you have more!:) Then cranking it you don't hear it til you bear down. So it's not an on/off effect but a natural extension. It never sounds synthetic.
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Nice. That and the REDDI are the only two products of its kind that truly speak to me as a B-15 fan. But all I needed was a straight up DI and I found a good deal on the REDDI...I ain't complainin'!
 
#51
I've owned and used extensively a boatload of rackmount preamps. One careful consideration for me was the power amp. Quality of power amp made a difference.

My preferences on preamp in order were: 1)Kern IP-777 2)Alembic F-1X 3)SansAmp RBI
4)Ashdown RPM-1; 5)Aguilar DB659. The Kern, Alembic and SansAmp were wonderful. There was an awesome palette of tones available from those three.
In the end, I went light and micro and settled with an Aguilar TH500. Doing more recording, I am seriously contemplating getting a REDDI.
 
#52
JimmyM said:
Nice. That and the REDDI are the only two products of its kind that truly speak to me as a B-15 fan.........................
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they're pretty dang expensive, but if you've never played thru a UA 6176, then you're in for a real treat. IMO, it's easily one of the best sounding bass pre's (or for vocals, drums etc) ever made, vintage or modern. and the built in 1176 is to die for. IMO, it kinda takes the REDDI to the next level.

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#53
johnk_10 said:
they're pretty dang expensive, but if you've never played thru a UA 6176, then you're in for a real treat. IMO, it's easily one of the best sounding bass pre's (or for vocals, drums etc) ever made, vintage or modern. and the built in 1176 is to die for. IMO, it kinda takes the REDDI to the next level.

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Oh yeah, who could forget the 6176? There's a dude I know on another forum who swears by running his REDDI into the 6176. Says it's by far the best tone he's ever had in the studio. Too rich for my blood and overkill for my needs live, but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't love one ;)
 
#58
I was referring to the Tech 21 RPM - what's the chance of having two preamps with RPM in the name? :)

I actually had the Ashdown RPM for a short time - sent it back during the trial period. I remember that I liked the SS path better than the tube side, go figure. It's all about how it is implemented in the design. Ashdown always gets top marks for their retro styling though...
 
#60
Joe Louvar said:
Interesting - please name 3 wall wart powered tube preamp examples (make and model) that don't have starved plates? Thanks.
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You know, I have to cop to being unable to follow through with this. The one I have in my hands right now is the Tone God "Tubulent", but that's the only example I can dig up at the moment. I know I've used others in the past, but Google is letting me down as far as finding those specifications from the makers. So I'll bow down from my position that "many" preamps have that feature.
 

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