The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[flatwound62p]

For those looking into Power options for the Effectrode LA-1A. After doing some reading on the Cioks 4 I now understand that for it to run at 100% it requires 30W. My understanding is that to calculate Watts it is V x A, so a 24VDC 1.5A power supply will give you 36 Watts, an 18VDC 2A power supply will give you 36 Watts etc.

I may still go for a Cioks DC-7 yet, but with no gigs I can afford to take my time deciding. I will cross post this info in the Compressor Thread.

I've been thinking long and hard about what Preamp to pair with my LA-1A when it arrives, and again, with no gigs there is no rush to decide. Still gassing hard for a NuX MLD though! With no gigs since March due to C-19 I have not used my Fender Super Bassman at all. I got it out today and powered it up and played thru it for a bit. I was reminded that every piece of gear that I have (Tube Emulation, OD's, Compressors etc) is ultimately about trying to Emulate the tone and heft of this amp when I can't use it for whatever reason. My Aguilar Agro and the Distortion on the B|Amp come closest to my dialed in OD on the SB300 for example.

Due to this - I'm going to do my level best to wait for an annoucement on the stand alone Bergantino Preamp pedal I think. There have been numerous rumors on here. I really am hoping we get an announcement soon!

The vintage channel from the SB300 would be an interesting thing in pedal form. Only uses one 12AX7 so I assume it would be possible. That running straight into the power section of whatever "backline supplied" rig would probably keep me happy enough when I can't use the real deal.

 

[Rocksolid]

The vintage channel from the SB300 would be an interesting thing in pedal form. Only uses one 12AX7 so I assume it would be possible. That running straight into the power section of whatever "backline supplied" rig would probably keep me happy enough when I can't use the real deal.

Only one preamp tube, that is correct. There is something to be said for what the power tubes do though. I bought my SB300 locally second hand. I saw it for sale and only went to try it to prove for myself that all this carry on about power tubes is exactly that - carry on. Watts is watts no matter if it's SS etc. I came home that night and posted my Lead sleds for sale and went back the next day and purchased the SB300.

 

[SteveC]

I've been thinking long and hard about what Preamp to pair with my LA-1A when it arrives, and again, with no gigs there is no rush to decide.

Due to this - I'm going to do my level best to wait for an annoucement on the stand alone Bergantino Preamp pedal I think. There have been numerous rumors on here. I really am hoping we get an announcement soon!

I use the 600 mOhm output on my LA-1A as my DI. Works great.

That said, I still look for a preamp/DI and An offering from Bergantino would be tempting.

 

[scubaduba]

For what it's worth, this little passive DI comes in handy for a lot of purposes.

The DBBLOX from Rapcohorizon. Fits pretty much anywhere — even under pedalboards.

No GND/Lift switch though which may or may not be important to you. Requires no power.

 

[jdc866]

For those looking into Power options for the Effectrode LA-1A. After doing some reading on the Cioks 4 I now understand that for it to run at 100% it requires 30W. My understanding is that to calculate Watts it is V x A, so a 24VDC 1.5A power supply will give you 36 Watts, an 18VDC 2A power supply will give you 36 Watts etc.

I may still go for a Cioks DC-7 yet, but with no gigs I can afford to take my time deciding. I will cross post this info in the Compressor Thread.

I've been thinking long and hard about what Preamp to pair with my LA-1A when it arrives, and again, with no gigs there is no rush to decide. Still gassing hard for a NuX MLD though! With no gigs since March due to C-19 I have not used my Fender Super Bassman at all. I got it out today and powered it up and played thru it for a bit. I was reminded that every piece of gear that I have (Tube Emulation, OD's, Compressors etc) is ultimately about trying to Emulate the tone and heft of this amp when I can't use it for whatever reason. My Aguilar Agro and the Distortion on the B|Amp come closest to my dialed in OD on the SB300 for example.

Due to this - I'm going to do my level best to wait for an annoucement on the stand alone Bergantino Preamp pedal I think. There have been numerous rumors on here. I really am hoping we get an announcement soon!

I replied in the compressor thread, but search Reverb for Sweetfoot SUPER.

13 outlets ISO power supply and he can customize the outputs to whatever you need, under $200.

No affiliation, just seems like a great option. I've messaged him before and he's super responsive and very nice

 

[CatOnTheBass]

I replied in the compressor thread, but search Reverb for Sweetfoot SUPER.

13 outlets ISO power supply and he can customize the outputs to whatever you need, under $200.

No affiliation, just seems like a great option. I've messaged him before and he's super responsive and very nice

And he can put a cat graphic on it if you like.

 

[jacoby75]

Is that for your Demeter?

No. I haven't had a reason to fire up the Demeter in quite some time. It was for a Valve Caster pedal. Sounded great for clean, no gain tubeyness, which is what I wanted at the time.

 

[scubaduba]

For those looking into Power options for the Effectrode LA-1A. After doing some reading on the Cioks 4 I now understand that for it to run at 100% it requires 30W. My understanding is that to calculate Watts it is V x A, so a 24VDC 1.5A power supply will give you 36 Watts, an 18VDC 2A power supply will give you 36 Watts etc.

I may still go for a Cioks DC-7 yet, but with no gigs I can afford to take my time deciding. I will cross post this info in the Compressor Thread.

I've been thinking long and hard about what Preamp to pair with my LA-1A when it arrives, and again, with no gigs there is no rush to decide. Still gassing hard for a NuX MLD though! With no gigs since March due to C-19 I have not used my Fender Super Bassman at all. I got it out today and powered it up and played thru it for a bit. I was reminded that every piece of gear that I have (Tube Emulation, OD's, Compressors etc) is ultimately about trying to Emulate the tone and heft of this amp when I can't use it for whatever reason. My Aguilar Agro and the Distortion on the B|Amp come closest to my dialed in OD on the SB300 for example.

Due to this - I'm going to do my level best to wait for an annoucement on the stand alone Bergantino Preamp pedal I think. There have been numerous rumors on here. I really am hoping we get an announcement soon!

The CIOKS 4 is really a cool little power supply. And I say little because it is small. Here it is beside a Boss size pedal.

It is capable of powering the Effectrode LA-1a just realize that not all power adapters are created equal to allow the CIOKS 4 to deliver the necessary wattage. I am using a 24 volt/3 amp power supply to feed my CIOKS 4 and it powers the CIOKS and a couple other pedals just fine. Fits under a Pedaltrain Nano with room to spare. I can't think of anything else this size offering robust power configurations.

 

[PeterH]

I know this is a Preamp/DI thread, but does talking about the new Mesa/Boogie TT-800TM count? It has two preamp channels and a DI out, but it's also got that whole... "amp" thing on it.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

I know this is a Preamp/DI thread, but does talking about the new Mesa/Boogie TT-800TM count? It has two preamp channels and a DI out, but it's also got that whole... "amp" thing on it.

Just holding out for the pedal version

 

[fivestringgecko]

Im waiting for mesa to drop a tube pre if they do my verellen meatsmoke may be on the chopping block provided it keeps up

I know this is a Preamp/DI thread, but does talking about the new Mesa/Boogie TT-800TM count? It has two preamp channels and a DI out, but it's also got that whole... "amp" thing on it.

Just holding out for the pedal version

Do we think a pedal tube pre from Mesa is an actual possibility? I know I'd be interested in checking one out...

5sg.

 

[fivestringgecko]

For what it's worth, this little passive DI comes in handy for a lot of purposes.

The DBBLOX from Rapcohorizon. Fits pretty much anywhere — even under pedalboards.

No GND/Lift switch though which may or may not be important to you. Requires no power.

View attachment 3876900

Pro tip on that little DI right there. This also made me take spin by the Sushi Box FB page just for curiosity, and spied this. I posted a comment to see about the best way to get in on the next batch. But looks like from some of the other posts that Nathan is moving to Chicago, so there will probably be a delay.

5sg.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Do we think a pedal tube pre from Mesa is an actual possibility? I know I'd be interested in checking one out...

5sg.

It seems like Agedhorse alluded to the possibility of one and they already did a subway and subway plus model so I'm cautiously optimistic. My subway pre was my favorite solidstate pre I've used I just missed the tube warmth and needed some grit on my board. My Verellen Meatsmoke is good but the high gain channel is problematic and it's massive and heavy. Even if mesa does come thru with a pre I'm still gonna have to do a intense battle with it and the Meatsmoke before I'm dethroning it.

 

[pisces_bass]

I know this is a Preamp/DI thread, but does talking about the new Mesa/Boogie TT-800TM count? It has two preamp channels and a DI out, but it's also got that whole... "amp" thing on it.

A pedal version would be interesting. But how much of the mojo is in the marriage of the pre and power stages? From what I have been reading on the TT amp thread, it's aimed more at people who want a plug and play solution.

 

[tedsalt]

It seems like Agedhorse alluded to the possibility of one and they already did a subway and subway plus model so I'm cautiously optimistic. My subway pre was my favorite solidstate pre I've used I just missed the tube warmth and needed some grit on my board. My Verellen Meatsmoke is good but the high gain channel is problematic and it's massive and heavy. Even if mesa does come thru with a pre I'm still gonna have to do a intense battle with it and the Meatsmoke before I'm dethroning it.

Can you tube roll or mod the Meatsmoke somehow so the high gain channel isn't so high gain?

 

[fivestringgecko]

Hey @scubaduba, here's a question for you since you have a Particle Accelerator... How do you think the sound of the 6N21B that the Sushi Box uses compares to an actual 12AX7?

Got my Beelzebub today! I'll try and get some clips this weekend. (Which prolly means next weekend.)

Any word on a tasty bass clip or two of that Beelzebub? That's one I'd definitely like to hear.

5sg.

 

[Johno Dunn]

Can anyone post pics of how they are mounting their DC7's?

 

[kevk]

Can anyone post pics of how they are mounting their DC7's?

Underneath my Emerson 7x18 board...

 

[tedsalt]

I use the Cioks Grip on my Metro 20. Not my pics though -

 

[Rocksolid]

Just stumbled across this looking for something else. This is actually a little exciting as someone who loved their Tech21 RPM Rack mount! The aesthetics sitting next to an LA-1A would be very pleasing also...
I think they are just starting to ship in the last few weeks.