The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[Bassworship1]

Well that comment was for the ones talking about getting a Oracle and RNDI or other tube Direct bix since the Oracle doesn't have a DI built in. Plus it doubles as a power supply and powers my whole board with plugs for many more pedals. All the while sounding amazing and being dead quiet.

Several Pedals? How do you figure that?

 

[Bassworship1]

With the USD/CAD exchange rate right now, the Noble is more than double the price of the Oracle.

I just personally think the Noble sound better and like options of it having the DI built in. Plus the ability to power some pedals makes the value even better for myself. Plus I like a small haul.

 

[SteveC]

Or you guys could eliminate several pedals and a power supply and get a Noble lol. I like simple and sounds good.

But the Noble won't power the LA-1A.

 

[mostvaliant]

But the Noble won't power the LA-1A.

Is it even worth it if you can't get the LA-1a working lol

 

[Bassworship1]

But the Noble won't power the LA-1A.

yeah and you have to purchase a $200 plus power supply to power that one Plus a special cable. It will power most normal pedals.

 

[scubaduba]

yeah and you have to purchase a $200 plus power supply to power that one Plus a special cable. It will power most normal pedals.

You'll find a nifty power supply in the box.

 

[mostvaliant]

yeah and you have to purchase a $200 plus power supply to power that one Plus a special cable. It will power most normal pedals.

I will say that's not true. My power supply was $125 and it powers the HX Stomp, LA-1a and 3 other pedals. I'm only using 1 spot for each the stomp, and LA-1a. It just depends on what supply you're using.

 

[mostvaliant]

yeah and you have to purchase a $200 plus power supply to power that one Plus a special cable. It will power most normal pedals.

But I will also go on to say, I do agree, it would be easier to have it all in one box.

 

[FunkyYeti]

And I left the compressor thread to join this one so I would forget about the LA-1A...

 

[scubaduba]

If you don't want to use the power supply that comes with the LA-1a take a hard look at the new CIOKS 4. Amazing little (and I mean tiny) power supply that is well under $200. Shoot, you can fine one under $150. 4 ports and each is configurable to 9 volts, 12 volts, 15 volts, or 18 volts. Easy fits under pedalboards, including the Pedaltrain nano. Use the parallel cable and the LA-1a can be powered as well as several others.

Perspective on size:

The fact that the Noble can power other pedals is an awesome attribute. However, the outlets are not isolated and not configurable (which may or may not be important to you based on the types of pedals you use).

 

[scubaduba]

You guys should try the Retrospec Squeezebox in front of the Noble/Oracle/PA etc.

 

[fivestringgecko]

I get it. It feels a bit like putting a Ferrari engine into a gokart. The reality is that if it gets the job done, then so be it.

5sg.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Or you guys could eliminate several pedals and a power supply and get a Noble lol. I like simple and sounds good.

I just personally think the Noble sound better...

yeah and you have to purchase a $200 plus power supply to power that one Plus a special cable. It will power most normal pedals.

I certainly don't mean any offense, and I could be off base of course, but you've been campaigning for a while now about your Noble. It almost seems like you might be trying to justify your purchase to yourself...? I have no doubt that it's a KILLER piece of kit, and I want to stress that there's nothing wrong with you liking your Noble, but it may not automatically be the right answer for everyone. It could be a money thing, or a personal preference thing, or a pedalboard space issue, etc.

Examples: When I eventually pull the trigger on a nice tube preamp, I'm looking for one that lets me get a little dirt on the tone as well, which it sounds like the Noble can't do. Also, some (most?) of us already have good power supplies to power our full boards... I have a Zuma, so I most likely wouldn't use the power supply on the Noble, especially since they're not isolated. I've got a couple pedals that prefer to be on their own isolated lines, and occasionally use a couple 18V pedals. Or like @SteveC said, it won't power the LA-1A!

I view the Noble like a Fodera. Would I use one (and certainly enjoy the heck out of it) if someone handed me the keys for one? Very much so. But is a $10k Fodera "$7,000 worth of better" than my Stambaughs or Kiesels? I would debate that they aren't. I've had four customs in the same room with three of a friend's Foderas, and mine definitely held their own, and for much less.

So for me, the Noble is a huge extravagance that I probably won't ever buy. Unless I win the lottery. Then I'll buy three. And a Fodera. lol

With the USD/CAD exchange rate right now, the Noble is more than double the price of the Oracle.

Even in the U.S. without the CAD exchange rate, the Noble is double the price of the Oracle when buying new.

Hear for yourself: Tube Preamp/DI Sound Samples — Noble, Oracle, P-15, Super Stack, Squeezebox, Particle Accelerator

YESSSSSSSS... I'm totally going to enjoy the comparison. THANK YOU for posting!!!!

5sg.

 

[Bassworship1]

I certainly don't mean any offense, and I could be off base of course, but you've been campaigning for a while now about your Noble. It almost seems like you might be trying to justify your purchase to yourself...? I have no doubt that it's a KILLER piece of kit, and I want to stress that there's nothing wrong with you liking your Noble, but it may not automatically be the right answer for everyone. It could be a money thing, or a personal preference thing, or a pedalboard space issue, etc.

Examples: When I eventually pull the trigger on a nice tube preamp, I'm looking for one that lets me get a little dirt on the tone as well, which it sounds like the Noble can't do. Also, some (most?) of us already have good power supplies to power our full boards... I have a Zuma, so I most likely wouldn't use the power supply on the Noble, especially since they're not isolated. I've got a couple pedals that prefer to be on their own isolated lines, and occasionally use a couple 18V pedals. Or like @SteveC said, it won't power the LA-1A!

I view the Noble like a Fodera. Would I use one (and certainly enjoy the heck out of it) if someone handed me the keys for one? Very much so. But is a $10k Fodera "$7,000 worth of better" than my Stambaughs or Kiesels? I would debate that they aren't. I've had four customs in the same room with three of a friend's Foderas, and mine definitely held their own, and for much less.

So for me, the Noble is a huge extravagance that I probably won't ever buy. Unless I win the lottery. Then I'll buy three. And a Fodera. lol



Even in the U.S. without the CAD exchange rate, the Noble is double the price of the Oracle when buying new.



YESSSSSSSS... I'm totally going to enjoy the comparison. THANK YOU for posting!!!!

5sg.

Seems as though your reading to much into my comments. I could care less what anyone else uses but like
Most on here I have a opinion. I honestly think the Noble is the best piece of gear I've ever used. I don't have to try to justify it by repeating it because the second I plugged into it and heard it through the FOH and IEM I'd never heard such a difference. Again opinions are diverse and that's great as there is so much great gear out there for us bass players.
The only point I was making was by the time you spend $599 for the Oracle and $249 for the RNDI and then pay around $200 for a power supply you have a a great deal in that package that takes up much more real estate than the Noble does. That price new is about as much as the cost of a new Noble.

 

[Valveman]

My latest effort with the LA-1A for church: I'm using the FB-1A Fire Bottle with up to 30dB of gain to saturate the LBA2020 transformer and using the LA-1A to control the output on a Nano+ board. The LA-1A with its Triad Magnetics transformer goes to the FOH. Amp, cab and power supplies already pre-positioned.

 

[uwrossl]

$599 for the Oracle

$550.

Glad you're liking the Noble. It's a great piece of gear. I know you waffled back and forth quite a bit just in the short time I was on this thread between the Starlifter and several other pieces that you bought, sold, bought, resold, so it's good you found one that stuck.

For me...I've used both(Noble) and prefer the sound of the Oracle. $800 for the combo with RNDI. $1099 for the Noble. $300 savings is significant to me and just an added bonus when I get something that sounds every bit as good and better to my ears and has more ability to dial in sounds based on rooms.

Adding on $200 for a power supply to your cost analysis is comical and just padding your position. That would be like adding in the cost for an HPF pedal and some sort of EQ pedal to the Noble to make up for features it doesn't have.

 

[Low Down Brown]

Glad you're liking the Noble. It's a great piece of gear. I know you waffled back and forth quite a bit just in the short time I was on this thread between the Starlifter and several other pieces that you bought, sold, bought, resold, so it's good you found one that stuck.

That reminds me - I still want to get my hands on a Starlifter. Any of you LA-1A folks have one to pair up for some sound clips? I have a feeling the LA-1A/Starlifter combo would delve deep into the realm of audio badassery.

 

[shaggy45]

My latest effort with the LA-1A for church: I'm using the FB-1A Fire Bottle with up to 30dB of gain to saturate the LBA2020 transformer and using the LA-1A to control the output on a Nano+ board. The LA-1A with its Triad Magnetics transformer goes to the FOH. Amp, cab and power supplies already pre-positioned.

View attachment 3898973

I really want to hear how the fire bottle sounds on bass. Anyone have any clips?

 

[Bassworship1]

$550.

Glad you're liking the Noble. It's a great piece of gear. I know you waffled back and forth quite a bit just in the short time I was on this thread between the Starlifter and several other pieces that you bought, sold, bought, resold, so it's good you found one that stuck.

For me...I've used both(Noble) and prefer the sound of the Oracle. $800 for the combo with RNDI. $1099 for the Noble. $300 savings is significant to me and just an added bonus when I get something that sounds every bit as good and better to my ears and has more ability to dial in sounds based on rooms.

Adding on $200 for a power supply to your cost analysis is comical and just padding your position. That would be like adding in the cost for an HPF pedal and some sort of EQ pedal to the Noble to make up for features it doesn't have.

how is it comical to say that the Noble and it's price affords you the ability to power pedals and has a built in DI? Every word of what I said is true. Listen again I'll say it for you since some are picking and choosing what they want to attack. I could care less what you or anyone else uses. Use what makes you happy and I'll do the same lol.

 

[shwashwa]

My latest effort with the LA-1A for church: I'm using the FB-1A Fire Bottle with up to 30dB of gain to saturate the LBA2020 transformer and using the LA-1A to control the output on a Nano+ board. The LA-1A with its Triad Magnetics transformer goes to the FOH. Amp, cab and power supplies already pre-positioned.

View attachment 3898973

how does this rig sound with the 2020 vs. without?