Need some help finding a preamp. The problem is driving my crown xls1000. It seems to need a decent signal to get it going. I play mostly classic and hard rock, and some funk. I've been looking at ampeg mostly, 2p and pro. But are there any other candidates? This is to drive a GK neo 2x12, and a Aguilar db412. Everything that I have seems to barely wake it up. Need some help before I pick the wrong preamp.
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Looking for preamp to drive my xls1000
- Thread starter Fe911
- Start date
I just started using an ART Tube MP between my Trace pre and my Carvin power amp it works fantastic. It really allows you to get a good signal into the power amp, you can get one for 50$ and use any pre amp you want.
Based on the kind of music you play, you should at least check out some old, pre-fender SWR - I recently picked up an SWR ST-220, and while it's underpowered for live playing, the preamp sounds amazing and it's got one of the best overall tones from anything I've played through! And it doesn't hurt to run it through an external power amplifier for live playing. I love my amp and couldn't be happier! Although that's just my opinion.
I haven't looked at the Yamaha, but would your verellen drive it? I'm not looking for a ART really, there a la 610 locally that is at a good price, but I would prefer just a single tube preamp that could drive it. And there is not much for sale as far as preamps lately. Pretty slim pickins other than ampeg.
I haven't seen much for SWR preamps, but I've played a 750x that I liked about eight years ago.
Yes, as long as you find an older, made in Cali model, they are exceptional! The newer ones, made in AZ by Fender subsidiary are not bad, but pale in comparison. The ST-220 I mentioned does have a single tube preamp that op was considering.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I have a PB-1 and the pedal version of the Verellen Meatsmoke. The pedal version is exactly the same as the rack version minus the built-in DI. The PB-1 has huge amounts of output. I have it driving an XLS1500 in bridged mono. With the input pads wide open on the amp, I am not able to turn the gain up on the PB-1 past 10 o'clock without hitting the limiters on the amp. Lots of clean power from this preamp. The Verellen is a much better sounding pre. It certainly can drive the XLS to max output. But you would be pushing it to do so. And it would not be pristinely clean either. However, I really like running the MS into mild overdrive on the clean side and heavy overdrive on the dirty side. It is my favorite overdrive by a long shot.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I ran into this problem trying to find a preamp that would properly drive my QSC. (1.4v sensitivity)
The Aguilar Tone Hammer (pedal) and the Eden Navigator are both awesome at properly driving this power amp
The Aguilar Tone Hammer (pedal) and the Eden Navigator are both awesome at properly driving this power amp
I run a sans amp RBI I can get some great tones, and with the combination of my xls1500 and sans amp RBI in a gator rack bag its very light weight but at the same time its much more powerful than most of the light weight class D heads out there.
If your having issues with volume out of the xls line. Run it bridged. Btw to actually run the xls amps bridged you need a specialy wired speaker cable because they didn't put a bridged output jack on the amp. So it's pretty much exactly like the ampeg svt4 bridging cable.
If your having issues with volume out of the xls line. Run it bridged. Btw to actually run the xls amps bridged you need a specialy wired speaker cable because they didn't put a bridged output jack on the amp. So it's pretty much exactly like the ampeg svt4 bridging cable.
I had the Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe and had some issues until I added an Art TubeMP in between. However, I didn't like the VT Bass that much.
I sold both and got the Tech 21 Sansamp RPM (rack preamp) and it works great. The sweepable mids and blend knob add a lot of versatility. Haven't felt the need to adjust my rig since I got it.
I sold both and got the Tech 21 Sansamp RPM (rack preamp) and it works great. The sweepable mids and blend knob add a lot of versatility. Haven't felt the need to adjust my rig since I got it.
I'm running it bridged with it cabled properly. From looking at the meat smoke, it seems rather dark. More suited for heavier music. I like the tone hammer sound, but I don't like how the boost is controlled, or lack of. Maybe one if their preamps, but I don't see much info on them because they are older models. Just trying to keep it simple with a single tube pre that will work for the music I play, no love for the ampegs?
Lol not so great, that pic was when I was placing it in to decide what I wanted on top & bottom - happy to say that it is screwed in now lol
