The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[jacoby75]

I like that the "tubeness" goes through the 1/4" thru so I'd get that sound with my SS amp. That's not the case with the REDDI for example.

Yeah, that was a big selling point for me as well. You can run a great signal to FOH, and it will also warm up whatever stage amp you're using. Best of both worlds.

 

[SteveC]

This is a convincing demo

 

[jacoby75]

Come on!! We gotta get outta the Stone Age.

Yes. I almost posted that one. ALMOST. But ain't nothing like the original. Though in this particular situation . . . not to get off topic . . . I really loved JJ Abrams' treatment of the material and what he did with the whole Khan mythology.

 

[jacoby75]

This is a convincing demo

Yep. This is a good demo. And very accurate, as far as I'm concerned. Even as a passive DI, my passive jazz sounded pretty good. But kick it into tube mode, and it's awesome.

 

[scubaduba]

I put a sound sample of the Khan here: Tube Preamp/DI Sound Samples — Noble, Oracle, P-15, Super Stack, Squeezebox, Particle Accelerator...

 

[chadhargis]

Take it from your uncle Rick, kids. Don't bother spending a bunch of money on pedals, compressors, preamps, etc., only to skimp and buy a mediocre direct box.

Yep! I was shocked at the difference the RNDI made for just being a DI.

 

[RoketRdr]

Yes. I almost posted that one. ALMOST. But ain't nothing like the original. Though in this particular situation . . . not to get off topic . . . I really loved JJ Abrams' treatment of the material and what he did with the whole Khan mythology.

I agree with ya. Those of us who grew up on the original films and TV shows will never forget what they brought to us as kids but I also like some of the new twists and spins on the modern day recreations. Notice I said SOME. OK...back on topic.

 

[Littlewing6283]

Testing this out today

 

[Rocksolid]

Testing this out today

Mind Blown

 

[chadhargis]

Testing this out today

That's a whole lotta tubes!

 

[Hypercaffium]

I'm really impressed by the Orange Bass Butler. I somehow skipped it for a while because of the separate DI outputs and size mostly, and I must say I was wrong. I tested mine at rehearsals and in the studio, in different music contexts, and it's really effective.

 

[jacoby75]

Yep! I was shocked at the difference the RNDI made for just being a DI.

That one was always on the radar, but I hesitated in getting an active DI. I did not want to be dependent upon phantom power, with which I have had issues in the past, and which I don't have at home for practicing purposes, so I would not have been able to test it out apart from buying an additional phantom power supplier. But I wish I had done something like this sooner. The Khan has its own power cord, so it's less of an issue. Though now I have two cords to plug in when I play, which is a nuisance I hoped to avoid. But it's totally worth it. It also works as a great-sounding passive DI if I don't feel like plugging it in at home.

 

[MascisMan]

Testing this out today

All the things!

 

[uwrossl]

I have really found a couple of sweet spots this weekend with the Oracle. I also did some A/Bing with the JJ and Genalex tubes. What I have found first and foremost that I prefer the high gain of the JJ. Not knowing much about tubes other than that I liked them I now realize that the high gain gives you more head room and helps drive the next stage of your chain better. I'm going to get a high gain version of the Genalex to do a better comparison because I do like the warmth of it. I think the high gain may help bring a little more clarity with it as well and I'm looking for as much clean tube gain as I can get.

 

[MascisMan]

I have really found a couple of sweet spots this weekend with the Oracle. I also did some A/Bing with the JJ and Genalex tubes. What I have found first and foremost that I prefer the high gain of the JJ. Not knowing much about tubes other than that I liked them I now realize that the high gain gives you more head room and helps drive the next stage of your chain better. I'm going to get a high gain version of the Genalex to do a better comparison because I do like the warmth of it. I think the high gain may help bring a little more clarity with it as well and I'm looking for as much clean tube gain as I can get.

Look forward to hearing your review of the Genalex HG

 

[kevk]

........Even as a passive DI, my passive jazz sounded pretty good. But kick it into tube mode, and it's awesome.

Have you a/b'd Khan passive mode to other passive DI's? If so, your thoughts?

 

[jacoby75]

Have you a/b'd Khan passive mode to other passive DI's? If so, your thoughts?

I would need to do some more A/B-ing later to give you a real definitive answer with adequate description of the differences.

But here's what I gathered from trying it briefly yesterday: The only passive DI I have at the moment is the Radial SB-2. It has served me well for months, for what I knew. It's solid, reliable, and sounds good in my headphone setup. It's passive and there is significant volume cut, because it's passive, which enables me to use it with my Rolls PM50, which farts out with hotter signals and with the Khan in active mode. There is some high end roll off with the SB, which is expected, but not drastic.

It's hard to go back and forth between the SB and the Khan multiple times, because it involves several setup changes. But the first time I tried the Khan, I knew it was in a different league. (And rightfully so, considering the SB is $70 and the Khan is $700.) The Khan in passive mode is a bit warmer, a lot clearer, and tighter sounding. (For lack of a better description). I feel like I am hearing the full range of my signal, including all of the bits that I didn't know were missing with the SB. Especially when I plugged my passive jazz straight into both of them. My jazz bass seemed to sound more distinctively like a jazz bass. It's character came through better, when the full-range signal was allowed through. And it brings more nuances out of my different preamps. I'm able to hear more distinctions between them. Like, each preamp sounds more like itself, and therefore more different from the others, when comparing an SVT preamp to a Fender-esque preamp, for example. Most importantly, it sounds so good it makes me want to play more.

 

[chadhargis]

I got an email back from Effectrode regarding the microphonics on my LA-2A. They believe it's a bad tube. I pulled the tubes out. One looked like a vintage tube and the other two were new JJ tubes. I have a set of Mullards on teh way that will be here tomorrow or the next day.

I think the bad tube is seriously hampering the performance of the pedal so I'll reserve judgement on it until I get the new, freshly matched and tested tubes in it.

 

[alecvbass]

I'm really impressed by the Orange Bass Butler. I somehow skipped it for a while because of the separate DI outputs and size mostly, and I must say I was wrong. I tested mine at rehearsals and in the studio, in different music contexts, and it's really effective.

I was also looking at the Orange Bass Butler because I really can't get along with the Darkglass pedals that I have.

Judging by the demos and reviews so far its IMO the best sounding all in one distortion preamp DI in its price range. I'm playing to have my (future) Noble/OC-2/Cali76 on a pedalboard and carry the OBB as a backup or in case I need distortion in that particular gig/session. I also have a metal band where I'll use it way more often.

Can't wait for the pandemic to end and start playing again!

 

[Real Soon]

Ladies and gentlemen, and also you lot, I've decided I'm in the market for a dedicated DI. My Vintage Ultra works well, but I'm evolving and have found myself using a Linden EQ and Particle Accelerator as my preferred tone control (pending getting some power routing sorted out).

I don't think I have Khan money, but might have RNDI money, esp if I put the Darkglass Vintage Ultra on the block.

My primary use would be at home for recording into a Black Lion B173 for direct, while using a mic of choice into Focusrite Clarett pre for cabinet. Many times I go direct only due to style of music. Having it available for live thru-signal is a great perk since my amp, a BB800, is line out and occasionally intimidates sound guys.

Think the RNDI is a good choice for a budget in that range? Anything a better fit in your opinion? I know there's some in-depth DI reviews a few pages back; I'll go dig in once my phone gets some charge time.