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Good alternative to a Noble?

#22
MisterrMisterr said:
For example, I love the sound of the Arkham preamps, but sadly, they're not fixable to a pedalboard and more inconvenient to carry.\
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My Arkham Oracle sits nicely on my pedalboard with velcro and fits in the hard case, height-wise. Every now and again I get a wild hair for something like the noble but ultimately the Arkham does everything I needed to do and then some, in spades. Fat, tubey, gritty if you want it, and way more high voltage hifi tube tone than I've ever heard in another pedalboard pre.
 
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#23
0549488B-0A2C-4119-9EA9-2DF73D1ED660.jpeg
 
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#24
qersty said:
Allegedly the aguilar tonehammer is supposed to be pretty similar on some settings
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Ironically, I usually am running a Tonehammer into my Noble.

Sadly, I don't think anything will really sound like a Noble unless you get one. Plenty of other flavors of DI sound great though. The Neve RNDI is awesome, as is a good old JDI. Just depends on your situation and needs!
 
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#26
chechunka said:
I know this is an old thread, but I am shocked no one mentioned the Mesa Subway. It's a great noble alternative.

Here's a side by side comparison:
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Not to step on anybody's toes, but if the Noble sounds comparable to the Subway, I'll have one for sale in about three weeks. I did try the Subway pedal and it did nothing for me. It works. You get a usable sound.
The Noble - I have to rely on others here because I ordered mine in September and still have some waiting to do, is supposedly something that makes everything better, more 3D sounding and gives live to a signal where there was none before.
I think there are a ton of options when it comes to a preamp box with a DI out.
I also think that the Noble is kind of the ultima ratio in that regard. If your sound is very good already and you have enough cash to not really concern yourself with diminishing returns, adding a Noble can get you from 92% there to 100% there, for the meagre cost of close to twelve hundred dollars.


bassbrad said:
I'm loving my @Sushi Box FX Finally Tube DI paired with his Underground Accelerator but for those of a mind the Slampegg Bee might be more your buzz.

Finally – Sushi Box FX

Underground Accelerator – Sushi Box FX

Slampegg Bee Pre X – Sushi Box FX
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I strongly second that. The finally as a tube DI, accompanied by a Sushi Pre of your choice is a very solid choice at less than half the price.
 
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#28
squeally dan said:
Anyone actually used the Noble, but chose another for a factor other than price?
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Had one. It was nice. Decided that there were other devices I wanted to try, and that my ears and playing situation didn’t really support keeping it. I’m mostly a home hobbyist player who does some occasional recording.

I’ve since landed on the Nordy Starlifter and might take that over the Noble for the voicing and EQ versatility. Though the Noble’s ability to power external pedals would make it handy for gigs.
 
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#30
monsterthompson said:
Had one. It was nice. Decided that there were other devices I wanted to try, and that my ears and playing situation didn’t really support keeping it. I’m mostly a home hobbyist player who does some occasional recording.

I’ve since landed on the Nordy Starlifter and might take that over the Noble for the voicing and EQ versatility. Though the Noble’s ability to power external pedals would make it handy for gigs.
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Makes sense
 
#33
squeally dan said:
Anyone actually used the Noble, but chose another for a factor other than price?
Click to expand...

I have one and am planning to replace it with an Arkham Oracle on my main board as soon as I get around to buying one. I have a Beast of Both Worlds from Arkham and I absolutely adore it - I can't wait to take that beautiful preamp section with me wherever I go.
 
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#34
monsterthompson said:
Had one. It was nice. Decided that there were other devices I wanted to try, and that my ears and playing situation didn’t really support keeping it. I’m mostly a home hobbyist player who does some occasional recording.

I’ve since landed on the Nordy Starlifter and might take that over the Noble for the voicing and EQ versatility. Though the Noble’s ability to power external pedals would make it handy for gigs.
Click to expand...

I feel similarly about the starlifter. I use a sushi box more in my signal chain as well. I’m told there is a noble capture for Tonex I’m looking forward to trying. I’m also experimenting with several other pres right now with the intention of going to Frfr or straight to my interface for recording.
 
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#37
squeally dan said:
So just prefer the tone of the Oracle or another reason?
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I prefer the James tonestack of the Oracle to the Fender-style tonestack on the Noble. I also like having the Lo and Mid switches, as well as having separate gain and master volume.

The Noble lends itself well to a more modern sound IMO - having Fender-style treble and bass EQ means it works well for scooped mids (not that it doesn't still do well in other tonal areas). I'll be keeping it for this reason, even after I get an Oracle. It's just a different flavor.
 
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#38
The Noble is a good preamp, but it is not better than many other options out there that cost a lot less money. Close your eyes and let your ears decide.

High prices tend to induce a lot of after-the-fact, post-sale justification. "It must be the best, because I paid the most, and if it isn't the best, then I'm just an idiot."
 
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#39
amper said:
The Noble is a good preamp, but it is not better than many other options out there that cost a lot less money. Close your eyes and let your ears decide.

High prices tend to induce a lot of after-the-fact, post-sale justification. "It must be the best, because I paid the most, and if it isn't the best, then I'm just an idiot."
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I think you are on to something there. My observations have been that it seems to be over valued, over hyped, and there is a hell of a lot of confirmation bias in reporting about the noble. I think many people don't want to admit they have waited 10+ months and spent over a grand on something that you can do exactly the same thing in many other ways for a fraction of the cost.
 
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