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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

#5,221
jacoby75 said:
I really want to try several of the Sushibox pedals. But the current draw(s) would melt my MXR ISO-Brick.
Click to expand...

Sushi is switching over to all 12AX7s instead of the 6N21B mini tubes, which also lowers the power requirements. The single tube X pedals only need 350mA at 9-12V, and the ISO Brick has two outputs for 450mA. So you should be good, should you want to try one? I think the only difference in 9V vs 12V is that it would take a little longer to warm up at 9V? (I think I remember discussion about it on the Sushi thread.) You'd want to double check of course, but Sushi (and others) in the Sushi Box thread are pretty responsive. Could be worth a look.

5sg.
 
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#5,222
fivestringgecko said:
Sushi is switching over to all 12AX7s instead of the 6N21B mini tubes, which also lowers the power requirements. The single tube X pedals only need 350mA at 9-12V, and the ISO Brick has two outputs for 450mA. So you should be good, should you want to try one? I think the only difference in 9V vs 12V is that it would take a little longer to warm up at 9V? (I think I remember discussion about it on the Sushi thread.) You'd want to double check of course, but Sushi (and others) in the Sushi Box thread are pretty responsive. Could be worth a look.

5sg.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I don't want to derail the thread, but I was looking at the Slampegg, for example.

From the website:
"It takes a 9-12V input, and can accept center negative or center positive inputs. It uses internal regulators to supply 200V to the plates, giving it the richness you expect from a full high-voltage preamp.

CURRENT DRAW NOTE: Like many Sushi Box pedals, this one uses a tube, which means current draw is a bit higher than a standard pedal. While we haven't profiled X Series yet, you can expect current draw requirements to be ~350mA @ 12v."

So I was thinking about the IsoBrick's outputs that are adjustable to 12v, which are only 250mA. But if it could run at 9v as well, and the mA wouldn't exceed 450, then that would work. But typically with stuff like this (at least in the case of some Broughton stuff), when a pedal can accept higher voltages, I tend to like it better at the higher voltages. It might still be worth a shot, though.
 
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#5,224
jacoby75 said:
But typically with stuff like this (at least in the case of some Broughton stuff), when a pedal can accept higher voltages, I tend to like it better at the higher voltages. It might still be worth a shot, though.
Click to expand...

I would imagine you'd need to know how wide the gap is between "like it" and "like it better." I'm not reading a "dislike" in there ;)
 
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#5,226
Bassworship1 said:
Or you could finally find what works for you after years of buying and trying preamps, basses, and compressors. Luckily after years I've found the best setup I've ever had. Love the wealth of knowledge this board and members provides.
View attachment 4217670
Click to expand...
I swapped out my v1 Messenger for the v3, but I'm putting the v1 back on the board, I prefer having the Boost option.
 
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#5,227
I have been liking the Mesa heads that I got recently. I have been considering picking up one of the subway DI/preamp's as well for some situations. I kind of also would like to be able to use the voicing control on the front end of the amplifiers that don't have it.

i'm a bit torn between the standard preamp and the plus. They're both on the big side although it looks like the plus is even bigger. The knobs don't look quite as sturdy but I haven't been able to take a look at either one of them in person. I'm wondering if I'm going to miss the bright switch, the high pass adjustable control, and the Adjustable mids or not if I get the standard version. It would be an easier choice if there was a significant price difference but $50 is not that much. I do really like the clean no nonsense front end of the standard version though. For an amplifier I chose the plus but for a DI/standalone preamp I'm not sure I'm going to care as much about the extra features in the situations that I would use it.
 
#5,228
IvanMike said:
I have been liking the Mesa heads that I got recently. I have been considering picking up one of the subway DI/preamp's as well for some situations. I kind of also would like to be able to use the voicing control on the front end of the amplifiers that don't have it.

i'm a bit torn between the standard preamp and the plus. They're both on the big side although it looks like the plus is even bigger. The knobs don't look quite as sturdy but I haven't been able to take a look at either one of them in person. I'm wondering if I'm going to miss the bright switch, the high pass adjustable control, and the Adjustable mids or not if I get the standard version. It would be an easier choice if there was a significant price difference but $50 is not that much. I do really like the clean no nonsense front end of the standard version though. For an amplifier I chose the plus but for a DI/standalone preamp I'm not sure I'm going to care as much about the extra features in the situations that I would use it.
Click to expand...

Hi Pass on it's own is probably worth the $50 extra.

Adjustable mids are pretty nice too.
 
#5,229
gh0st42 said:
Hi Pass on it's own is probably worth the $50 extra.

Adjustable mids are pretty nice too.
Click to expand...
The adjustable mids are nice but I do like the frequency points that they chose for the hard wired ones. I don't mind the fixed high pass filter that's in the standard unit. It's nice to be able to adjust it but it's not necessarily a dealbreaker for me. It's funny, I think I might miss the bright switch the most.
 
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#5,231
benjobass said:
I've heard people mention in other threads, about other pedals that have bright switches...flipping the bright switch and dialing back the treble unearthed good tones. I'd like that try that approach with the DI+ myself.
Click to expand...

This is often an excellent choice.
 
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#5,232
benjobass said:
I've heard people mention in other threads, about other pedals that have bright switches...flipping the bright switch and dialing back the treble unearthed good tones. I'd like that try that approach with the DI+ myself.
Click to expand...
I've never been a fan of bright switches. Ever. With two exceptions. Both Broughton pedals. 1) The Silver Deluxe sounds better and more "tubey" with the bright switch engaged, in my opinion. 2) The SVPre. Someone on the Broughton thread recently suggested doing just that. Flipping the bright switch and dialing down the treble. With the bright engaged and treble rolled back to about 9:00, it's amazing. I'd turn the highs up to about 10:00 if I want that slightly glassier sound. Now it's got me flipping all my switches to see what I'm missing.
 
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#5,234
fivestringgecko said:
You know, I realize it would be purely based on personal taste of course, but @scubaduba ... I'd love to see your list of preamps, in order of preference!

Just throwing that out there. :D

5sg.
Click to expand...

I've had many people ask me the same question in other threads and via PM. Maybe it is time to share a little more.

First, here's a list of preamps I have personally owned and gigged (that I can remember) in no particular order.... I know I'm forgetting some:

GK PLEX
XOTIC RC Booster
Hao Bassliner
Xotic Tri-Logic (v1, v2 and v3)
Meridian Trinity
ISP Beta
Various Tech 21 boxes
MXR M81
MXR Bass preamp
Marleaux Bass Preamp
Suncoast (3 different ones, can't remember the models)
Lehle Sonic Spark
Nordstrand Starlifter
Sushi Slampegg
Sushi Particle Accelerator
Trickfish Minnow
Trickfish Trilobite
Grace Alix
Noble
DSM Simplifier
Jule Monique
Jule Simone
Mozztronics DI-2
Mozztronics Bass Preamp (the 1st gen without the integrated XLR. I'd really like to try the version with XLR.)
Broughton SSDI
Broughton P-15
Broughton Superstack
Broughton Messenger
SFX Diplomat (custom order)
Arkham Oracle
Khan
Ampeg SVTDI
Groove Tubes The Brick
Sonic Farm 2DI4
Tonecraft 363
REDDI
Useful Arts BF-1
Fatboy
Eclair Evil Twin
Shaw Audio Tube Injection
Zod ID DI
Markbass Vintage Preamp
Two Notes Le Bass
Shiftline Olympic
Mesa Subway
3Leaf Enabler
Ziebek Submarine
Ziebek Submarine Designer (mine was the surrogate for what became the Southampton Ictineo)
Southhampton Ictineo
Etc......

So I don't know about ranking them in order of preference. But I can say that out of this list here are the ones I have chosen to regularly gig for one reason or another, in no particular order:
Jule Simone
Sonic Farm 2DI4
Mozztronics DI-2
REDDI

A new addition that I just acquired that I think will make it into my top 5 is the Lightstone Emperor.

An easy runner up would be the Arkham Oracle. If the Useful Arts BF-1 had a ground/lift function it would be a real contender for me. I miss my Grace Alix... and the Shaw Tube Injection.

Whew. Honestly, if money were no object I'd have a lot of these in my arsenal. And you are right, so much of this is preference. Your mileage may vary and probably will.
 
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#5,235
:wideyed:

@scubaduba - That's one heck of an impressive list!

Lots of impressive stuff on there, so it says something about the ones you're gigging. Thanks for the info brother... Your experience/samples have been pretty helpful in narrowing the choices on my list of preamps I want to take a look at when gig money starts coming in again. (Starting to see some gigs pop in June, thankfully). I'm starting to think that the Mozz should be added to my list, and your feedback has eliminated a couple others as well.

Glad to see this thread hasn't been talked out yet!

5sg.
 
#5,236
scubaduba said:
I've had many people ask me the same question in other threads and via PM. Maybe it is time to share a little more.

First, here's a list of preamps I have personally owned and gigged (that I can remember) in no particular order.... I know I'm forgetting some:

GK PLEX
XOTIC RC Booster
Hao Bassliner
Xotic Tri-Logic (v1, v2 and v3)
Meridian Trinity
ISP Beta
Various Tech 21 boxes
MXR M81
MXR Bass preamp
Marleaux Bass Preamp
Suncoast (3 different ones, can't remember the models)
Lehle Sonic Spark
Nordstrand Starlifter
Sushi Slampegg
Sushi Particle Accelerator
Trickfish Minnow
Trickfish Trilobite
Grace Alix
Noble
DSM Simplifier
Jule Monique
Jule Simone
Mozztronics DI-2
Mozztronics Bass Preamp (the 1st gen without the integrated XLR. I'd really like to try the version with XLR.)
Broughton SSDI
Broughton P-15
Broughton Superstack
Broughton Messenger
SFX Diplomat (custom order)
Arkham Oracle
Khan
Ampeg SVTDI
Groove Tubes The Brick
Sonic Farm 2DI4
Tonecraft 363
REDDI
Useful Arts BF-1
Fatboy
Eclair Evil Twin
Shaw Audio Tube Injection
Zod ID DI
Markbass Vintage Preamp
Two Notes Le Bass
Shiftline Olympic
Mesa Subway
3Leaf Enabler
Ziebek Submarine
Ziebek Submarine Designer (mine was the surrogate for what became the Southampton Ictineo)
Southhampton Ictineo
Etc......

So I don't know about ranking them in order of preference. But I can say that out of this list here are the ones I have chosen to regularly gig for one reason or another, in no particular order:
Jule Simone
Sonic Farm 2DI4
Mozztronics DI-2
REDDI

A new addition that I just acquired that I think will make it into my top 5 is the Lightstone Emperor.

An easy runner up would be the Arkham Oracle. If the Useful Arts BF-1 had a ground/lift function it would be a real contender for me. I miss my Grace Alix... and the Shaw Tube Injection.

Whew. Honestly, if money were no object I'd have a lot of these in my arsenal. And you are right, so much of this is preference. Your mileage may vary and probably will.
Click to expand...
Awesome list of pres, though missing my favorite the Meatsmoke. Then again I haven't tried Simone or Sonic Farm...
 
#5,237
scubaduba said:
I've had many people ask me the same question in other threads and via PM. Maybe it is time to share a little more.

First, here's a list of preamps I have personally owned and gigged (that I can remember) in no particular order.... I know I'm forgetting some:

GK PLEX
XOTIC RC Booster
Hao Bassliner
Xotic Tri-Logic (v1, v2 and v3)
Meridian Trinity
ISP Beta
Various Tech 21 boxes
MXR M81
MXR Bass preamp
Marleaux Bass Preamp
Suncoast (3 different ones, can't remember the models)
Lehle Sonic Spark
Nordstrand Starlifter
Sushi Slampegg
Sushi Particle Accelerator
Trickfish Minnow
Trickfish Trilobite
Grace Alix
Noble
DSM Simplifier
Jule Monique
Jule Simone
Mozztronics DI-2
Mozztronics Bass Preamp (the 1st gen without the integrated XLR. I'd really like to try the version with XLR.)
Broughton SSDI
Broughton P-15
Broughton Superstack
Broughton Messenger
SFX Diplomat (custom order)
Arkham Oracle
Khan
Ampeg SVTDI
Groove Tubes The Brick
Sonic Farm 2DI4
Tonecraft 363
REDDI
Useful Arts BF-1
Fatboy
Eclair Evil Twin
Shaw Audio Tube Injection
Zod ID DI
Markbass Vintage Preamp
Two Notes Le Bass
Shiftline Olympic
Mesa Subway
3Leaf Enabler
Ziebek Submarine
Ziebek Submarine Designer (mine was the surrogate for what became the Southampton Ictineo)
Southhampton Ictineo
Etc......

So I don't know about ranking them in order of preference. But I can say that out of this list here are the ones I have chosen to regularly gig for one reason or another, in no particular order:
Jule Simone
Sonic Farm 2DI4
Mozztronics DI-2
REDDI

A new addition that I just acquired that I think will make it into my top 5 is the Lightstone Emperor.

An easy runner up would be the Arkham Oracle. If the Useful Arts BF-1 had a ground/lift function it would be a real contender for me. I miss my Grace Alix... and the Shaw Tube Injection.

Whew. Honestly, if money were no object I'd have a lot of these in my arsenal. And you are right, so much of this is preference. Your mileage may vary and probably will.
Click to expand...


Awesome list!

Now do compressors. Go!
 
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