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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

#3,581
scubaduba said:
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:

View attachment 3898858

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).
Click to expand...

I have the DC-7 and it's awesome. Powers my LA-1A, tuner and Rolls (for my IEM's) and I have room for more - like a nice pre/DI.

I know many people use and like the Noble. I think if I weren't using the LA-1A I'd maybe look harder at the Noble as it could be my power and tube Preamp and DI. As I love and can't I shine not using the LA-1A anytime soon, I'm going to look at other options. Personally I think I can get something for less than $1K+ that will work. I'd also like to power it with my DC-7. Nothing against anyone who uses one at all. I have friends that swear by them. Fortunate, there are plenty of choices at plenty of price points that will all sound awesome.

Now if I could only decide on one to pair with my LA-1A...
 
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#3,582
SteveC said:
yeah, I have the DC-7 and it's awesome. Powers my LA-1A, tuner and Rolls (for my OEM's) and I have room for more - like a nice pre/DI.

I know many people use and like the Noble. I think if I weren't using the LA-1A I'd maybe look harder at the Noble as it could be my power and tube Preamp and DI. As I love and can't I shine not using the LA-1A anytime soon, I'm going to look at other options. Personally I think I can get something for less than $1K+ that will work. I'd also like to power it with my DC-7. Nothing against anyone who uses one at all. I have friends that swear by them. Fortunate, there are plenty of choices at plenty of price points that will all sound awesome.

Now if I could only decide on one to pair with my LA-1A...
Click to expand...


The Oracle and RNDI are less than $1K. You can thank me later :)
 
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#3,585
This makes for a great solution for those running a preamp like the Oracle or Shaw and also a power supply where both require an IEC cable.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G1JMFZQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

61jpYRu7kmL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
 
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#3,586
scubaduba said:
This makes for a great solution for those running a preamp like the Oracle or Shaw and also a power supply where both require an IEC cable.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G1JMFZQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

View attachment 3899230
Click to expand...

That is what I have under my Templeboard. Makes it real convenient with the Temple power module. Im also using a different IEC connector on the Oracle so that it 'exits' to the left rather than straight back.

20200708_120327.jpg


Also picked up one of these off of AliBaba to try. It's a downward IEC. Should work well with the Oracle also:

20200710_143310.jpg
 
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#3,592
SteveC said:
If my DC-7 would power the RNDI I'd maybe consider it. The phantom power thing is a bugger. I like to be self reliant.
Click to expand...

An additional Mackie M48 for $60 can be powered by your DC7 to provide reliable phantom power for the RNDI when phantom power isn't available on the board. Or to power the RNDI while plug into an amplifier through an XLR input, such as seen on the Quilter Bass Block 800. Problem solved. Still under $1K.
 
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#3,593
scubaduba said:
This makes for a great solution for those running a preamp like the Oracle or Shaw and also a power supply where both require an IEC cable.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G1JMFZQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

View attachment 3899230
Click to expand...

I'd like finding these with EU connectors, even if cables length seems a (tiny) bit short.

Read your RNDI/ETDI post, i guess best is having both then ! Me quite liking this slight saturation in the top end and tube warmth you get with the ETDI.
 
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#3,594
SteveC said:
The phantom power thing is a bugger.
Click to expand...

That's definitely my least favorite thing about the RNDI and one of the reasons for considering the retrofit.

That said I have yet to come across a situation where phantom power wouldn't be available. Even my old Focusrite Saffire has phantom power. If I ever came across that situation at a gig etc. I'd just use the DI on my TH700 which sounds great. I rarely if ever run in to ampless gig situations so it's always with me and if you run into a studio situation where phantom isn't available then you should probably find somewhere else to record. :roflmao:

But I agree it's definitely something to consider or at least be aware of when making decisions on gear.
 
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#3,597
I think with us all using Preamps and buffered signals from all sorts of things a good passive DI should should be adequate shouldn't it? Needing phantom power, or power in general for a DI seems a bit OTT to me. Again though, I've never heard the RNDI.

Regarding the Noble Pre (and also the Jule Monique tbh) they just seem ridiculously over priced to me, and I can't justify it. I had the opportunity to buy both these units 2nd hand here in Australia and I turned it down. I can,t imagine there are any components or a crazy amount of extra labor that elevate the price by that much compared to an Oracle and a host of other Preamps.

Stepping down off my soap box now...
 
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#3,598
Pretty comprehensive Di Comparison I just found. Listened with a pretty good set of Cans. The RNDI is different with the bass track solo'd has a softer attack to me, but gets harder to hear in a mix, but it's still different. Interesting to read the comments.

Obviously these are direct in. Most of us here are using plenty of other goodies in the chain before the DI.
The Great Direct Box Comparison with Audio Samples | Sweetwater
 
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#3,600
@uwrossl

I now have the stock JJ ECC83 tube, the Mullard, and the Genalex Gold Lion. Here are my quick thoughts.

To me, the "bitiest" (upper mid/treble response) of the three is the JJ and the warmest/smoothest is the Gold Lion.

The Mullard is kind of in between to me, however, I also noticed a bit of AC hum coming from the Mullard. Not sure if that is a characteristic of the tube or just something going on with my tube specifically. I'm going to email TubeDepot and ask them. The Mullard sounds really good though and the hum is probably lost in a mix, but, I did notice it through IEMs, so YMMV. Hopefully it is just my tube and not a common characteristic.

All three sound fantastic though!

One day I will get separate sound samples of all three tubes in the Oracle going through the S1 (flat and adjusted).

20200710_200411.jpg
 
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