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Help Picking a Rack Mount Preamp

#22
Alembic is always a fine choice, you may want to consider an SF-2 Superfilter. It’s my all time, best of the best, favorite equalizer device. It has an instrument level input on the front, and serves excellently in a preamp role.
 
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#23
Thanks everyone for the replies! There seems to be a ton of great options out there and I wish I could go out and test them all! I am running just the power amp until I decide on a preamp, and it actually sounds pretty good! I desperately need some gain to get the volume up, even with the input sensitivity set high on the Crown XLS1002. The DSP is really handy, as I was able to put a bandpass filter on my newly acquired ADA Bassline 15 and limit between 30hz and 200hz. This helped the cab from farting out on the low B of my 5-string, and sounds much better as the mids sound very muddy through that cab.

I am considering the Presonus Studio Channel, as I hear it's very clean and has a good DI, but with a tube swap I can get a little more versatility in its sound. It really is difficult to make a choice without playing through it first, and knowing that if I decide to sell, it's much harder than a pedal, I assume!
 
#25
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#26
You mentioned the Alembic F-1x - it's a great choice and has been my go-to for warm tube fatness for almost 20 years now. I've paired it with an independent parametric EQ for some extra flexibility.
 
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#27
I think what is holding me back is the price range of some of these preamps. My budget is around $400 which is the sale price of my GK MB 500 Fusion less the power amp and rack. I am really trying to not spend more than that, but want to get the most bang for buck! The Alembic sounds incredible, and I am keeping my eye out for a good deal, but most of the most highly recommended pre's are the Kern, the Avalons, Demeter, which are all close to a grand.
 
#29
Tonecraft said:
Thanks everyone for the replies! There seems to be a ton of great options out there and I wish I could go out and test them all! I am running just the power amp until I decide on a preamp, and it actually sounds pretty good! I desperately need some gain to get the volume up, even with the input sensitivity set high on the Crown XLS1002. The DSP is really handy, as I was able to put a bandpass filter on my newly acquired ADA Bassline 15 and limit between 30hz and 200hz. This helped the cab from farting out on the low B of my 5-string, and sounds much better as the mids sound very muddy through that cab.

I am considering the Presonus Studio Channel, as I hear it's very clean and has a good DI, but with a tube swap I can get a little more versatility in its sound. It really is difficult to make a choice without playing through it first, and knowing that if I decide to sell, it's much harder than a pedal, I assume!
Click to expand...

Hi Tonecraft, reviving your year old thread. As I have the exact same consideration as you had, I was wondering what you ended up choosing.
I am looking at a second hand Presonus Studio Channel for $100 as a preamp for use in my homestudio and for a backup rig in case I need one. Some say a channel strip is the same as a dedicated bass pre, it just may lack some specific bass gadgets (tuner out, boost, efx loop). I don't really need other extras the Presonus doesn't offer. I just need a good clean pre with a tube, compressor and, EQ. Would this very budget friendly option be a good one?
Thanks for any thoughts and advice!
 
#30
Martelino said:
Hi Tonecraft, reviving your year old thread. As I have the exact same consideration as you had, I was wondering what you ended up choosing.
I am looking at a second hand Presonus Studio Channel for $100 as a preamp for use in my homestudio and for a backup rig in case I need one. Some say a channel strip is the same as a dedicated bass pre, it just may lack some specific bass gadgets (tuner out, boost, efx loop). I don't really need other extras the Presonus doesn't offer. I just need a good clean pre with a tube, compressor and, EQ. Would this very budget friendly option be a good one?
Thanks for any thoughts and advice!
Click to expand...

I bought a BBE B-Max preamp and it sounded really good, cost around $100. I starting playing double bass and am looking for a new preamp or bass head that can double for electric and upright. I am looking at the presonus again but also am considering selling the power amp as well and getting an older GK 400rb or a 700rbII. I have no experience with the Presonus!
 
#31
Tonecraft said:
I bought a BBE B-Max preamp and it sounded really good, cost around $100. I starting playing double bass and am looking for a new preamp or bass head that can double for electric and upright. I am looking at the presonus again but also am considering selling the power amp as well and getting an older GK 400rb or a 700rbII. I have no experience with the Presonus!
Click to expand...
Thanks. I think I'll try the Presonus, it's a very good deal.
 
#32
Tonecraft said:
I bought a BBE B-Max preamp and it sounded really good, cost around $100. I starting playing double bass and am looking for a new preamp or bass head that can double for electric and upright. I am looking at the presonus again but also am considering selling the power amp as well and getting an older GK 400rb or a 700rbII. I have no experience with the Presonus!
Click to expand...

ZOMBIE THREAD!!!

I’m looking to go down this same pre-amp / power amp road. What did you end up doing with your rig? Any regrets, experience or advice you’d share?

I started a thread here looking for advice. Pre-amp and power vs a head
 
#33
When I put aside my SVT and built a rack system I went GK 700 RBII with Tech 21 RPM. I also got a RBI but used the RPM the most. I so like the GK sound but the added flavour of the pre amp well……. Works for me and many years later, still going strong
 
#34
Haha i was the first responder to this zombie thread years ago. I still have the 1502 poweramp but i now have other heads that are more fun.

I got rid of the sansamp after finding a used Demeter vtb201s. I will say this for those looking. I have owned it for a few years now and it truly is magical. It just adds this beautiful sprinkle of shimmer to the top end of the tone that is just magic. It also has a lovely clean bass. It takes all the crazy dirt and fuzz and agressive playing that I throw at it really well. There are some great bass pre's out there but everytime I plug a bass into the Demeter I relish its tone. Between the Demeter, Damnation MBD2 and my Origin effects Cali CB I know that I could make a $2 junk shop bass sound sweet.
 

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