rackmount tube preamps

[remo]

+ 2 Demeter VTBP-201S

 

[tombowlus]

SWR I.O.D. and the Fodera Rackmount prototype.

Nice!

 

[quallabone]

Nice!

You don't know how hard it was to think those up.

 

[the dude]

My faves are the SVPCL (re-creation of the 70's SVT pre,) Ashdown RPM-1, Fender TBP-1 and the Kern.

 

[Brad Maestas]

My vote's for the Demeter 201.

 

[tombowlus]

You don't know how hard it was to think those up.

About the only thing you missed would be an Ampeg preamp, the BBE tube preamp, and the SWR Grand Prix. Oh, and Millennia. And a Peavey VMP-2 (though my band owns one). And... oh I should just stop now...

But the IOD is definitely on my list, and the Fodera seems pretty nice (I didn't realize it was tube).

Tom.

 

[John D Harris]

Demeter VTBP-201S
or
Alembic F-1X
or
Aguilar DB659
depending on the tone you like.

...or Millennia TD-1 if you want really transparent.

 

[DEVILMAN]

...I don't remember the Fodera being "tube" at all...

~S~

 

[DEVILMAN]

...Epifani did make a proto-type tube pre that he never released. Joker & myself tried one awhiles back at Nicks shop, very nice. I liked it better than the proto & current s/s one offered...

~S~

 

[jokerjkny]

...Kern...

(...)

+1x10^123

(...)
My current pre is a Demeter HBP-1. I love the tone and the flexibility.

+1x10^932

i dunno what i'd do without mine.

but these are the only two i really use these days. i have an Aguilar DB680, but i found the overlapping frequencies on the demeter's parametric more flexible.

if you just want some rich, tubey goodness for not as much coin, cant say enough about the alembic F-1X. my Kern is like the alembic on tubey lard'y goodness, but the alembic's still a terrific pre.

btw,

Invalid Link Removed. naysayers regardless, a good way to hear within the ballpark what each pre is capable.

 

[jokerjkny]

You don't know how hard it was to think those up.

lol!

 

[jokerjkny]

...Epifani did make a proto-type tube pre that he never released. Joker & myself tried one awhiles back at Nicks shop, very nice. I liked it better than the proto & current s/s one offered...

~S~

Ooooo,

that was a great pre. like the Kern's nice lower middy cello like fatness with the warm air of the Purity.

too bad it'll never see the light of day.

 

[DEVILMAN]

...it really is quite a shame, it would've done very well considering its quality & the curent market for the "tube" sound...

~S~

 

[zombywoof5050]

I didn't know that the Alembic SF-2 had tubes.
There is also the Alembic F2-B which hasn't been mentioned.

 

[tombowlus]

I didn't know that the Alembic SF-2 had tubes.
There is also the Alembic F2-B which hasn't been mentioned.

Whoops! Right on both points. I have corrected my earlier post.

Thanks!

Tom.

 

[westland]

One point that hasn't been mentioned yet is ... ahem ... tubes. I purchased a DB659 two months ago, and have been substituting various tubes in the V1 plug. My favorite so far has been the Sovtek 12ax7 LPS ... it has some tendency towards microphonics, but nothing really bad... very warm and great clarity. I've also tried NOS GE-5751 JAN; JJ/Tesla, Tung-sol, local Chinese, EH 12ax7s. The LPS so far seems best.

More importantly, the tubes are just as influential as the amp in defining tone ... particularly the V1. If you aren't experimenting with various tubes, then you don't really know how good or bad your preamp is.

 

[ashbory]

I've also tried NOS GE-5751 JAN; JJ/Tesla, Tung-sol, local Chinese, EH 12ax7s. The LPS so far seems best.

Westland,
How would you describe the difference between the LPS and the Tung-Sol? I haven't tried one yet, but have been experimenting recently with tubes new and old. The new Tung-Sol is my favorite so far.

 

[tombowlus]

My favorite so far has been the Sovtek 12ax7 LPS ...

Just curious, but what tone are you going after?

Tom.

 

[John D Harris]

... If you aren't experimenting with various tubes, then you don't really know how good or bad your preamp is.

+1

 

[LoGruvz]

Ampeg SVP Pro!!! Tube heaven.