The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[jacoby75]

Here's a clip of the Noble and NUX. Both preamps are set flat which means dials all the way counterclockwise on the NOBLE and centered at noon on the NUX.
Sadowsky Jazz set flat with VTC at about 50%. Bass directly into each device DI out into board to Garageband.

Which segment is the Noble and which is the NUX?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Let's also keep in mind that they sound pretty dang close. Maybe one is "better" than the other. Maybe not. But "better" enough, either way, to justify an $800+ price difference? Especially given all that the Nux can do? I dunno.

 

[fast slapper]

Second is the Nux. Sounds cleaner. Maybe.

 

[Rocksolid]

Let's also keep in mind that they sound pretty dang close. Maybe one is "better" than the other. Maybe not. But "better" enough, either way, to justify an $800+ price difference? Especially given all that the Nux can do? I dunno.

One could argue the NuX is better. Features, EQ. So yes, I hear you.

 

[jacoby75]

One could argue the NuX is better. Features, EQ. So yes, I hear you.

Touche.

 

[Bassworship1]

If you guys like the Nux so much why don't you all sale your more expensive preamps and DI's and pocket all that extra money.

 

[Rocksolid]

If you guys like the Nux so much why don't you all sale your more expensive preamps and DI's and pocket all that extra money.

I'm just here kicking tires. I don't own any of the La de dah ones!

Variety is the spice of life so they say...

 

[jacoby75]

If you guys like the Nux so much why don't you all sale your more expensive preamps and DI's and pocket all that extra money.

^ This guy gets it.

 

[scubaduba]

Well OK. Let's not wait any longer. Let's get this show on the road.

Split crowd on this one. Did one clip sound dramatically different or obviously better to you?

The first clip is the NUX and the second is the Noble. Surprised by this?

‪Here's the clips again for reference:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Ryno1330]

I'm really interested to hear the answer. I've owned a Noble and just ordered the Nux today. I think I know the answer but I'm eagerly awaiting confirmation

Did you vote?

 

[Rocksolid]

I got it right!! Woo Hoo!!!

 

[jmbjandfam]

Did you vote?

Yes I voted and was wrong. It may be my setup but when I had the Noble, i just felt like it was too deep (not sure how to describe it) and I never could find the balance I was looking for. Because the first track sounded deeper to me on the clips, I thought it was the Noble. So I was fooled here and or most likely I just have rocks for ears. Still looking forward to trying the Nux in my setup and see what happens. Only way to know for sure will be to put it to the test with my setup.

 

[Ryno1330]

I would say NUX is first and Noble second, as Noble is fairly round and lacking definition to me.

I would say that's the exact opposite of the two clips (and many other's here) - meaning the second clip had much better definition. Funny how people hear things differently.

 

[Ryno1330]

Yes I voted and was wrong. It may be my setup but when I had the Noble, i just felt like it was too deep (not sure how to describe it) and I never could find the balance I was looking for. Because the first track sounded deeper to me on the clips, I thought it was the Noble. So I was fooled here and or most likely I just have rocks for ears. Still looking forward to trying the Nux in my setup and see what happens. Only way to know for sure will be to put it to the test with my setup.

I also was sure that the Noble was first

 

[tedsalt]

I would say that's the exact opposite of the two clips (and many other's here) - meaning the second clip had much better definition. Funny how people hear things differently.

Well, I was listening thru cr@ppy Logitech THX 2.1 computer speakers. Should have plugged my Sony studio cans in. My bad.

 

[Ryno1330]

Well, I was listening thru cr@ppy Logitech THX 2.1 computer speakers. Should have plugged my Sony studio cans in. My bad.

Wasn't trying to make you feel bad just thought it was an interesting observation.

Really if nothing else in my years of tone chasing/dissection I've found it amazing how different people here things.

 

[fast slapper]

Damn. Got it wrong. Still like the Alix the best but the Noble sounds good too.

Thanks for the clips.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Welp, I didn't get in on the fun soon enough. Was just able to give a listen now. But I did feel like the NuX was the first sample, mainly because I felt like a $1k+ DI would be the cleaner of the two. I thought they both sounded pretty good though.

5sg.

 

[sonofshel]

For me, this is really an AMAZING SETUP!!! Definitely my new gig rig. Was about to get a Grace Alix but that's going to have to wait...I'm truly hooked on the simplicity here and variety of tones. Been doing some livestream gigs with different bands and wish I had pulled the trigger on the Colour Box sooner...just had to finally take the chance and I'm glad I did. Will still use my other setup/pedalboard for some gigs that provide back line but will mostly insist on just plugging into the provided cabinets with this awesome combination. I just had to share...take care out there everyone.

 

[ThisYouCanTrust]

The first clip is the NUX and the second is the Noble. Surprised by this?

I am rather satisfied.
After so many years of people saying tube is an inferior outdated technology I was afraid the noble would the first one - more hiss, blurrier bass, an impractical eq given the tone with the flat eq, etc - things people often attribute to tube devices.
But no, the hype around the noble is not totally undeserved and it is the better tone.

That said, how much for the nux again !?
It's absolutely ridiculous how much tone you can get for your money in 2020.

 

[jacoby75]

Well OK. Let's not wait any longer. Let's get this show on the road.

Split crowd on this one. Did one clip sound dramatically different or obviously better to you?

The first clip is the NUX and the second is the Noble. Surprised by this?

‪Here's the clips again for reference:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I did not see that coming! I was thinking warmth and gooeyness advantage went to the Noble (thinking it was clip one). Wasn't even thinking of clarity as being a better thing. And I didn't hear/notice any hiss when I was listening. But, then again, after 30yrs of playing next to drummers, I'm half deaf. But wow. That's amazing.