Bonus review: EF86 vs NOS Tesla EF806S.
Before digging out of the snow I thought I'd review both versions of the NightOwl Edison tube preamp. I bought the 1st [batch #3] 4 years ago and always curious about the new version that includes a 20db boost.
Case & finish:
Every production run of the Edison, 12 batches so far, comes in a unique case finish, as well as various LED colors. Batch #3, with its unfinished brushed metal case has a raw steampunk, rat-rod vibe. The trapezoidal case has the original tube window w/ clear plastic [glass?] glued from the inside. One volume knob, one each for input & output, & 9v DC power. Green LEDs light up the foot switch & tube.
While the batch #7 in Kingsport Grey metallic has more of a resto-mod look. The tube window has been replaced with angled slot cutouts, that keeps the tube safer when stomping on the foot switch and dissipates heat [not that it gets very hot, more like barely warm]. There's the additional 20db switch [up=off, down=on]. White LEDs on this unit.
Sound:
No difference in tone between both versions w/ the EF86. Using the boost switch on batch #7 gives more of a boost on the higher end and I never really found a good use for it. Then I realized the cab sims on my SGT-DI were in desperate need of a high end kick in the pants so hoping to try that both live & in the studio in the future. Nice that the Edison might open up that portion of the SGT-DI with possible more tonal options. I haven't read any bassists that use the boost switch and it might be more of a geetar players thing.
Bonus review EF86 vs NOS Tesla EF806S:
Not sure if my 65 yo ears don't have the ability to discern the difference, or if they never had that ability, but I detected no difference in tone between the two. There might be a slight edge to the NOS Tesla in that when the volume is set at 9:00 you get just a bit of breakup you might not get as much of from the original EF856.
However, there's a big difference in headroom. With full volume set at 12:00 on both, when the EF86 is set at 9:00 the NOS Tesla volume knob would only be set to 5:30 for unity gain. If that extra headroom is what you're after sourcing a replacement Tesla would be worth it. Otherwise the EF86 sounds great as is.
Top Tip:
I found some 3"x2" mirrors on Amazon for $6. These work great added to the inside back cover [using double sided tape] to get the most bang out of the LEDs.
Bottom line:
Love both versions. Batch #7 benefits from more tube protection [if stomping w/ your foot] & the 20db boost, if that's your thing. Either way, you can't go wrong with the Edison pre. One will always be a part of my signal chain both live and in the studio.
Before digging out of the snow I thought I'd review both versions of the NightOwl Edison tube preamp. I bought the 1st [batch #3] 4 years ago and always curious about the new version that includes a 20db boost.
Case & finish:
Every production run of the Edison, 12 batches so far, comes in a unique case finish, as well as various LED colors. Batch #3, with its unfinished brushed metal case has a raw steampunk, rat-rod vibe. The trapezoidal case has the original tube window w/ clear plastic [glass?] glued from the inside. One volume knob, one each for input & output, & 9v DC power. Green LEDs light up the foot switch & tube.
While the batch #7 in Kingsport Grey metallic has more of a resto-mod look. The tube window has been replaced with angled slot cutouts, that keeps the tube safer when stomping on the foot switch and dissipates heat [not that it gets very hot, more like barely warm]. There's the additional 20db switch [up=off, down=on]. White LEDs on this unit.
Sound:
No difference in tone between both versions w/ the EF86. Using the boost switch on batch #7 gives more of a boost on the higher end and I never really found a good use for it. Then I realized the cab sims on my SGT-DI were in desperate need of a high end kick in the pants so hoping to try that both live & in the studio in the future. Nice that the Edison might open up that portion of the SGT-DI with possible more tonal options. I haven't read any bassists that use the boost switch and it might be more of a geetar players thing.
Bonus review EF86 vs NOS Tesla EF806S:
Not sure if my 65 yo ears don't have the ability to discern the difference, or if they never had that ability, but I detected no difference in tone between the two. There might be a slight edge to the NOS Tesla in that when the volume is set at 9:00 you get just a bit of breakup you might not get as much of from the original EF856.
However, there's a big difference in headroom. With full volume set at 12:00 on both, when the EF86 is set at 9:00 the NOS Tesla volume knob would only be set to 5:30 for unity gain. If that extra headroom is what you're after sourcing a replacement Tesla would be worth it. Otherwise the EF86 sounds great as is.
Top Tip:
I found some 3"x2" mirrors on Amazon for $6. These work great added to the inside back cover [using double sided tape] to get the most bang out of the LEDs.
Bottom line:
Love both versions. Batch #7 benefits from more tube protection [if stomping w/ your foot] & the 20db boost, if that's your thing. Either way, you can't go wrong with the Edison pre. One will always be a part of my signal chain both live and in the studio.
