Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison
- Thread starter chadhargis
- Start date
Has anyone compared a Mesa Subway DI against an Olympic MkIII or MkIIIS? Curious your thoughts...
Very clean and transparent. I have one but don't use it much as I don't often need it's main features.
My Basswitch Classic Boost fits my requirement for more vintage character in a smaller package (still clean though).
I have a few DI's including the Avalon U5 and V5, REDDI, Noble and Phatboy. Curious about the BAE DMP and Shaw TI. The Shaw samples sound impressive.
Having had the chance to A/B the Noble and the Shaw, I can tell you that they are both amazing, but the Shaw has a few extra options the Noble doesn't have. It was really, really close, but in my situation I was able to sell my Noble for more than I paid for it and end up with money in my pocket after buying the Shaw. Hard to beat that.
I've tried to love the Sans Amp Bass Driver DI a couple times, but always thought it was too scooped and clanky.
Then I heard about the new version with a mid control, listened to some online demos, and gave it another shot.
The Bass Driver v2 is a huge step forward, IMO.
I goofed around with all of their "recommended settings" and what I liked best was just putting all knobs at noon.
Then I heard about the new version with a mid control, listened to some online demos, and gave it another shot.
The Bass Driver v2 is a huge step forward, IMO.
I goofed around with all of their "recommended settings" and what I liked best was just putting all knobs at noon.
I've owned the PARA DRIVER DI, BASS DRIVER DI, and the VT BASS DI but have sold them all. the SLO is in a different league in my opinion.
I've really liked the clips I've heard of the YYZ pedal, but it wouldn't suit my purpose without XLR and phantom power (fingers crossed for a YYZed DI)
I have both. They’re very different sounding with different features. Different footprint to start. The tube O/D on The Olympic is really great sounding and you can’t get this with the MESA. The Olympic also has the speaker emulator which is nice and not on MESA.
The MESA is an amazing sounding pre and a tremendous value considering all it does.
Loads of great pre amps on the market.
I’m old school and IMHO the Alembic F1-X is still king.
Thanks 57! I currently have the Mesa Subway (not the +) and have been enjoying it. I've always lusted after the Olympic though!
Shift-Line is on my board for rehearsal tonight!
Rough measurements with my ruler are 7"x7"x3"
She's a big girl. But looking inside you'll find out why. There is, of course, the tube...but there is also two separate Creation Audio Labs transformerless DIs.
I'm really spoiled by it. I visit music stores and play basses through all types of amps, then I come home and play through my Shaw and it's just like butter. The only thing that makes me smile as much is the Shaw bass amp that has basically the same preamp in, only it's got a class D amp built in.
The Mesa is real nice. The SLO is real, real nicer. 
Would love to see the inside of the Shaw
Hit up Kevin, he’d probably send you a pic. It’s all hand wired.
