Looking for preamp to drive my xls1000

[monkeyfinger]

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?

When i purchased the meatsmoke, I was also concerned that I would be too dark. This is simply not the case. The EQ is very wide ranging and flexible. I find small changes are often all i need. There are a couple of characteristics to the MS that I think are key to its sound. The lows are slightly wooly and pillowy, but still well defined and with a lot of depth. The low mids are more present than in other pre-amps. Mids and highs have a nice shimmer, articulation and liveliness provided you set the gain staging correctly. One thing I do recommend is replacing the tubes. The stock JJ's are harsh. I got some from Doug's tubes based on Doug's recommendation. They are a Ruby 12AX7AC7 HG+ and a Ruby 7025SS HG. They are fantastic in this preamp.

 

[nshuman]

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

Where is your sense of adventure?

 

[Stevem627]

I am using a Peavey Max coupled with an XLS 2000. Works like a charm and sounds great.

 

[wmhill]

I really have good tone & luck with the BBE B-Max (I use the solid state one- there is a tube version as well)

 

[tom-g]

Art Pro Channel. It's a channel strip that works very well with bass and it has absolutely no problem to drive the Crown.

 

[Bassmec]

Out of the two excellent Ampeg tube pre amps you mentioned in your original post, I prefer and own the SVT IIP because it seems to have a very slightly better signal to noise ratio when running cleanish in comparison to SVP and as I tend to use pedals for distortion with cabs, other than with my Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp, wich I use as a DI in studio sometimes, it is very very good too, but unlike the Ampegs not suitable to drive the XLS 1000 input.

 

[derg]

I'm using an Aggie Tonehammer DI into an XLS 1000 - great sound!

 

[NOVAX]

 

[Downunderwonder]

Any of the Tech21 rack mount units, RBI, VT, RPM.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Any of the Tech21 rack mount units, RBI, VT, RPM.

...and I do just that: run 3 different SansAmp rackmounts with no difficulty whatsoever. Couple of observations:

*Use the preamp's 1/4" out and connect to the XLS's "Link/Out" input jack. This is true of all bass preamps I've encountered. When using with a PA / FOH, use the XLR.

*The XLS requires little if any attenuation. ~4:00 works for me.

Riis

 

[chadds]

Monique.