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rackmount tube preamps

#61
How does the Eden WP100 compare to other pre-amps. I'm thinking that I might eventually get one of these to replace my mesa. Im looking for something with a nice thick creamy sound. Clean, but with the option of dirtier sound only if I should want it, not just if I turn it up loud.(Im thinking the tube knob could do this)
I also like all the features that it has the paramteric mids, crossover, effects loops out the wazzo and compression and LED's to check your output, this is a feature I think every amp should have, pre or head.
 
#62
theshadow2001 said:
How does the Eden WP100 compare to other pre-amps. I'm thinking that I might eventually get one of these to replace my mesa. Im looking for something with a nice thick creamy sound. Clean, but with the option of dirtier sound only if I should want it, not just if I turn it up loud.(Im thinking the tube knob could do this)
I also like all the features that it has the paramteric mids, crossover, effects loops out the wazzo and compression and LED's to check your output, this is a feature I think every amp should have, pre or head.
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Everything I've read and heard about this preamp points to it not being what you want. It's basically the tube preamp that might as well not have a tube.

I think you're describing more of an Ampeg than anything else. Sure, no parametric eq, but 9-band graphic can do just about the same thing, and it definately has that sound you want.
 
#64
Eric Cioe said:
Everything I've read and heard about this preamp points to it not being what you want. It's basically the tube preamp that might as well not have a tube.

I think you're describing more of an Ampeg than anything else. Sure, no parametric eq, but 9-band graphic can do just about the same thing, and it definately has that sound you want.
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I tried an SVT3 pro and was very dissapointed with what it had to offer.People say that this is typical of the ampeg sound. Although I no this isnt the best bassis to judge the SVP-CL. Ampeg is also known for its grind thats something I want by choice and not design. Chances are I'd go with clean for the vast majority of times.

The only problem is I would most likely not get a chance to try either. :rollno: Damn the lame shops we have here. OMG I cant believe I said lame. Oh my god I can't believe I said OMG...I've been hanging round here too much
 
#65
Wow! 4 pages and, as best I can tell, no one has mentioned the Trace V-type. Had one, loved it. It's set-up just like the Alembic F1X and sounds every bit as good, IIRC.
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+1
The V-type's are great pre's, very easy to dial in a nice sound. But for my tastes the eq/switches provide enough flexability for my use. I do wish a little more grit was easier to get since I mostly use passive basses.
 
#67
tombowlus said:
To my ears, those NOS JAN GE 5751's have a great blend of clarity and fullness, with good tonal balance. They aren't quite as open and airy as some of the NOS tubes I have played, and their lows aren't quite as forceful as some, but on the whole, they are a very competent peformer that doesn't seem to screw anything up. I will add, though, that I have heard a variety of "GE 5751's", and they can sound quite different. The Five Stars are the best I have heard.

As for the Sovtek LPS, they tend to fatten up the tone and smooth out the highs. There is a slight addition of mud and blurriness, too (at least compared to the "cleaner" tubes that I like, such as NOS Tele's, or new JJ's). While I generally prefer something else in much of my gear, I did find the Sovteks to be very beneficial in my Pignose B-100V (which was a Pig in need of fattening :D).

Tom.
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I've gone back and A/B'd the two, and have to agree on all but the muddiness ... I think that the LPS I have is pretty clean. The 5751's are JAN so I would have thought there would be less variation. Still, my experience is that each tube is unique, and you can only make general statements about any brand of tube
 
#69
westland said:
I've gone back and A/B'd the two, and have to agree on all but the muddiness ... I think that the LPS I have is pretty clean. The 5751's are JAN so I would have thought there would be less variation. Still, my experience is that each tube is unique, and you can only make general statements about any brand of tube
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Perhaps "muddy" was being a bit harsh. :p
 
#70
Since I moved out to NY I haven't had the chance to mess around with my tubes as much as I could when I was in the Midwest. My good friend Robert Braught was my amp/electronics tech in Eudora, KS and he would let me come over and swap out tubes until I was blue in the face. He had a good large stock of early LPS' so I tried those first. I went through several batches of LPS' before I found a pair I liked in my 201s. While the EH's were an improvement over the stock tubes, they weren't as nice as the LPS'. I have tried and liked some NOS Telefunkens but I would be hesitant to travel any distance with them. I haven't tried the JJ's or the 5751's but after their hearing perpetual praise I'm thoroughly intrigued. I haven't been using my pre as much lately so it hasn't been a priority but this has got me goin' now!

Tom, is there a single tube retailer that you regularly use or do you just shop around for the best price? I have used tubedepot.com, thetubestore.com, kcanostubes.com and lordvalve/NBS in the past. Are there any others that you recommend?
 
#71
VintageBT6Lover said:
Tom, is there a single tube retailer that you regularly use or do you just shop around for the best price? I have used tubedepot.com, thetubestore.com, kcanostubes.com and lordvalve/NBS in the past. Are there any others that you recommend?
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Those are all good. I tend to buy most of my tubes from Doug Preston, though. You can find him at www.dougstubes.com.

Tom.
 
#72
Obviously, I recommend the Trace Elliot V-Type and SWR Interstellar Overdrive (see .sig, below). The only other preamps I'm considering adding to my stash are the Ampeg SVP-CL and Tech21 SansAmp RBI (solid-state). Not because I need another preamp (there's three in my rack as it is, if you count the JoeMeek), but just because I want them.
 

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