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Best 1U rack tube preamp

#21
I have the F-1X and BBE BMax (non-T). I seem to lean more to the BBE pre for my gigs so far. I did get some big fat, warmth from the F-1X but I guess I sorta prefer the tighter, more EQ, BBE right now. I found a Yamaha PB-1 for a good price local. Been putting off going to look at it but might do that this week. If its much like the BBE I already own, may pass on it.

I might put my F-1X up for sale here soon. I may first use it at my NY's eve gig once more to be sure I'm not loving it. Just got into the whole pre/pwer amp rig a couple months ago since I discovered the oh so light, Crown CoreDrive XLS1500. Never woulda used that type of rig before with owning a couple MarkBass heads and GB Neopak 3.5. But my pre rig is quite light and darn powerful.

OH and yes, I really like a clip I heard on here of the Kern-777, just too dang pricey.
 
#25
The F-2B can be a lot 'tubier' than the F-1X. The F-1X is only using one tube stage (half a tube) in it's signal path, while the F-2B is using two. And if you cascade the channels of the F-2B, you get four tube stages. The distortion attainable by cascading the channels can get way too nasty if you're not careful though, so watch your levels. Also, with the F-2B you need to be more careful choosing a power amp, but there are many that it will work well with. Despite it's drawbacks regarding which power amps it will play well with, I still prefer the F-2B over the F-1X, and the F-2B remains one of my favorite tube preamps.
 
#26
Right now the Fender TBP-1 is my main gigging preamp. This preamp is awesome. I did change the tubes out - originals were Groove Tubes I put in some NOS Westinghouse tubes.

It has the classic passive tone stack, an overdrive channel, and a Jensen DI.It is also built like a tank. I love it.

I also have a Agular DB659. This is also a very nice preamp. It lacks on features - basically has EQ and effects loop - but has a great sound. Different voicing then the Fender preamp.

BK
 
#27
My favorite 1 space unit is a Read Purity, and that includes compared w/a Kern I used to own. I'm not sure they're very easy to find, though. Though I've used them less, either Alembic can get that big, fat sound as well IME.
 
#28
I had a Alembic F1X. I got a Peavey Max for backup, always kept in my vehicle for just in case. But after ABing them the Peavey could do all the F1X stuff with its similarly set-up and voiced tube side, but the F1X could not do the Peavey sounds from the SS side.

Yep, the Peavey has channel switching, and blending, and more EQ - which really opens up a lot more tones - and the tube side alone does all that the F1X did. So I finally sold the F1X. There was a few hundred dollars difference too : }

That said, a lot of the pres mentioned make great sounds. Matching your preferences and cabs is what it's really about, not that there actually is a BEST.
 
#29
greenboy said:
I had a Alembic F1X. I got a Peavey Max for backup, always kept in my vehicle for just in case. But after ABing them the Peavey could do all the F1X stuff with its similarly set-up and voiced tube side, but the F1X could not do the Peavey sounds from the SS side.

Yep, the Peavey has channel switching, and blending, and more EQ - which really opens up a lot more tones - and the tube side alone does all that the F1X did. So I finally sold the F1X. There was a few hundred dollars difference too : }

That said, a lot of the pres mentioned make great sounds. Matching your preferences and cabs is what it's really about, not that there actually is a BEST.
Click to expand...

It's funny... I could never get happy w/the Max sound, and I generally like Peavey gear. It must be an EQ thing, or just personal taste, I guess. Like you said, there are many good pres out there, and prices are mostly going DOWN!
 

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