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BBE BMAX your thoughts?

Crabby

Crabby

Dec 22, 2004
4,404
410
#1
Lots of praise for this preamp. Anyone not like it?

I have one and am still on the fence. There is a slight noise that kicks in after playing a note. Its almost like a noise gate kicks in. Its a faint distortion or just noise that I can clearly hear after playing a not and letting it ring out.

Not sure if the unit is faulty or if this is a common thing. I have already returned it to BBE for the factory gain reduction mod and have tried it with different power amps and heads and cables to make sure its not something else.

It has some great features but this noise is getting to me. Anyone else have any issues with this?
 
#3
The first one I played was at a music store. The BBE was running into a Tube power amp, I think it was a Stewart and into a Peavey TVX 410 cabinet. I thought it was noisy and wasn't sure about buying it. I tried it again with a different power amp and it didn't have any noise or hiss, so I bought one and have been using it for a couple of months.

I'm not experiencing any noise issues with it at all. I'm using it with a Crown XLS402 power amp and an Avatar B210 Delta cabinet. So far I'm happy.
 
#4
Incredibly powerful output level with the BMAX-T. I never tried it, but I'll bet it could drive an efficient set of headphones. I had to install a 12AT7 in place of the 12AX7 to make it work with my Stewart power amp. If you get the non-tube model I guess you may have to send it back to the factory a re-do. :hmm:
 
#8
There is definately an amazing quick response and punch to the solid state model. It has a very deep, clear tone and is very well put together. I keep thinking my ears are deceiving me with this noise issue. It's so subtle that it can be hard to hear sometimes.

I ended up running the BMAX into an amp with a headphone jack and was able to "a-b" the head by itself and then with the BMAX pluuged into the effects return jack. Through the headphones I could clearly hear a buzzing kind of clipping noise after plucking a note and letting it ring out.

Its so damm irritating but most people would never even notice it. I would think this would be a huge issue if recording though. I still am not sure if this is a defect or just the way the unit is made.

As mentioned earlier, I have already sent the unit in for the factory gain mod at which time I asked for this issue to be dealt with as well. The unit was returned with the gain mod done but no mention of this other issue, despite me addressing it in writing to the service department.

I was running the BMAX into the effects return of a GK 800rB head and have recently picked up a Tapco Juice 1400 watt power amp. The combo of the power amp and the BMAX is amazing! So much headroom and low end booty. If I could just get this clipping-noise issue dealt with I would be over the moon for this pre amp.
 
#10
I thought so to but engaing or turning off the biult in comp or the BBE circuit makes no difference. Neither does the bright switch or adjusting the input and master levels. It must be something internal that needs to be repaired. Very frustrating.
 
#11
Crabby said:
There is definately an amazing quick response and punch to the solid state model. It has a very deep, clear tone and is very well put together.
Click to expand...
100% agreed. It's the last preamp I'll ever need. I'm running mine into a QSC PLX2 1804, which powers an Avatar 210 and 212.

I was going to suggest switching the compressor/maximizer off to fix the noise problem, but if you've already tried that, then I'm at a loss.:hmm:
 
#14
Todd Stanley said:
I'm looking for a preamp that is very clear, very deep and authoritive kick but without attack. I thought the SS version of this was my boat, but by the sounds of it, it has gain issues? I'd rather not take that chance:( What else could I look for?
Click to expand...

I really doubt that it has gain issues, unless you're trying to make it drive a loudspeaker by itself.
 
#15
I have ruled out the bass as well after trying a variety of passive and active basses. After exhaustive a-b comparisons, using different power amps, switching other pre amps and even trying different cabs, I have concluded that there is actually something wrong with the BMAX.

My expaerience appears to be unique as most people using the BMAX seem to really like it. The way mine is now, it would be impossible to record with it as the staticky strange noise that trails every note is really unpleasant and can't help but be noticed.

My last resort is to send it back to BBE if they will agree to covering it under warranty. This is frustrating as shipping is not cheap and I have already returned it once for the gain mod. I'm really disappointed as I really like this unit and just want a clean signal to come out of it.
 

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