Quickest preamp?

[Scotius2001]

For all those who are using pre/power amp rigs and have compared preamps, which preamps have you found to be the quickest and punchiest? I'm looking for something quick and more on the hi-fi sounding end of the spectrum (but not too sterile sounding). Any input?

Thanks

 

[Planet Boulder]

When I think of "quick", I think of G-K, so the 2001RBP would be a good bet methinks.

 

[Tony G]

Easily the one of the best Hi-Fi preamps is the Epifani Quest II.

 

[thehurlatron]

Easily the one of the best Hi-Fi preamps is the Epifani Quest II.

I think there's one for sale in the amps classifieds right now.

 

[Crabby]

Solid State B Max is damm punchy and quick. its inexspensive too.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Which preamps have you found to be the quickest and punchiest? I'm looking for something quick and more on the hi-fi sounding end of the spectrum (but not too sterile sounding). Any input?

Have you tried a Demeter HBP-1? IMO it does all of the above really well.

Best regards,
- Art

 

[bassjam]

Have you tried a Demeter HBP-1? IMO it does all of the above really well.

Best regards,
- Art

+1 i use one too and it fits that bill for sure.

 

[Figjam]

I use the Demeter HVP-1 and find it to be a great preamp.

 

[chadds]

I love quick. This is quick clear punchy. Strange though it's warm yet sounds like your instrument. Warm in the way hifi stereos sound yet completely accurate. Your tone sounds warm not the pre sounds warm or tubey thick on it's own. Inexpensive and it's lack of tone controls are a blessing because your basses now actually shine. Unless you need your tone controls to adjust for weaknesses in your cabinet you won't miss the extra knobs.

 

[chadds]

As these are often sold by hi end pro audio shops they often offer a demo period. Sweetwater has an easy return process. Jive Sound in Va. is a great shop to deal with too. Ask him about his policy.

 

[J.Wolf]

+1 for the hbp 1. Super quick and nice and tubey as well.

 

[Scotius2001]

Thanks for all the input guys. Keep it coming!

 

[David Vega]

Ampeg SVP-CL preamp

 

[Gord]

..quick? whatddyamean?

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

The Epifani 502 head (which is pretty much the same as the Quest II preamp except in head format) that was in the combo I just sold fits your description very well- very fast response. The GK stuff I've tried was very quick and hi-fi, although a bright hi-fi that I really don't like the tone of, personally (at least the tones that come out when I[/] play through them ). It's been a while, but I believe the BBE Bmax solid-state pre was also very quick and definitely hi-fi when I spent some time with it.

Not that a super-fast response should be a deal-breaker....even amps that don't have the fastest response are only miliseconds slower.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

..quick? whatddyamean?

There can be a bit of latency when playing fast passages on some amps- this can throw you off a bit if you're blazing through a slap part and the notes you're plucking don't sound through the amp at a quick enough rate.

 

[Joelc73]

The Demeter VTBP201S responds almost before you pluck a note. It's very punchy and ultra quick.

 

[jerry]

Another vote for the Demeter 201, if you like solid state, EBS has a nice quick response with nice tone.

 

[davidk_528]

+1 for the Demeter VTBP-201S.

I can't say enough good things about this preamp; probably don't need to since there's no praise I can heap on this product that hasn't been articulated on talkbass many many times before (do a search if you're interested). If you need/want more tone shaping capability and are willing to do without the Jensen DI, (I didn't/wasn't) go with the Demeter HBP-1.

Good luck,

-- David

 

[nysbob]

This is same school of thought that says 15" speakers are too "slow".

I don't think there's much to it, myself. I've seen footage of Jumi Hendrix playing through a wall of 2 x 15" boxes...they weren't too slow for him. Jaco used to play through a rear firing 18" for Pete's sake.