The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[bucephylus]

Hey @Dawghouse88 , many thanks for your demo efforts.

I listened to a few of the vids, which I could access; and have the following comments:

First, I was unable to access all of your vids. YT apparently requires a subscription.

Second, I was surprised, perhaps stunned, to hear that your passive Jazz Bass inherently had SO Much Bass that you had to cut the Bass tone on many of the vids. My passive Fender J’s are quite the opposite, benefitting from a bit of bass boost to get them in a useful space. YMMV. But, the resulting demos with relative bass cut on the preamps were pretty dramatically different from my direct experience with some of the preamps.

Third, of those I could access, I was most impressed by the SLO; which I have finally decided to be my poison of choice. Don’t think it was confirmation bias.

Fourth, some of the demos sounded best in Bypass mode. Yikes. Not going to name names, so as not to offend; and perhaps that is due to the feed signal characteristics?

Anyhow, just a few FWIW comments.

 

[Dawghouse88]

Hey @Dawghouse88 , many thanks for your demo efforts.

I listened to a few of the vids, which I could access; and have the following comments:

First, I was unable to access all of your vids. YT apparently requires a subscription.

Second, I was surprised, perhaps stunned, to hear that your passive Jazz Bass inherently had SO Much Bass that you had to cut the Bass tone on many of the vids. My passive Fender J’s are quite the opposite, benefitting from a bit of bass boost to get them in a useful space. YMMV. But, the resulting demos with relative bass cut on the preamps were pretty dramatically different from my direct experience with some of the preamps.

Third, of those I could access, I was most impressed by the SLO; which I have finally decided to be my poison of choice. Don’t think it was confirmation bias.

Fourth, some of the demos sounded best in Bypass mode. Yikes. Not going to name names, so as not to offend; and perhaps that is due to the feed signal characteristics?

Anyhow, just a few FWIW comments.

Thanks for the comments. I’m not sure why you’re unable to access all the videos. You might need an account but certainly shouldn’t need a subscription - I haven’t set up a paywall or anything like that, and am not sure this is even a possibility.

It’s worth noting that the Jazz bass that I use is active, not passive - this is stated in the ‘Equipment used’ section after the demos. This was initially at the start of the videos but consensus was that it was better at the end.

As for points three and four, I’m glad you’ve found a preamp you like. It can take time and money, and is really the reason I started this channel; to find my favourite/s. Much like you I haven’t loved every preamp that I have tested.

 

[jcburn]

Thanks for the comments. I’m not sure why you’re unable to access all the videos. You might need an account but certainly shouldn’t need a subscription - I haven’t set up a paywall or anything like that, and am not sure this is even a possibility.

It’s worth noting that the Jazz bass that I use is active, not passive - this is stated in the ‘Equipment used’ section after the demos. This was initially at the start of the videos but consensus was that it was better at the end.

As for points three and four, I’m glad you’ve found a preamp you like. It can take time and money, and is really the reason I started this channel; to find my favourite/s. Much like you I haven’t loved every preamp that I have tested.

Subscribed to your YT channel just today and like the simple format of your demos. Being an Aussie I'm looking forward to the Mozztronics preamps, especially the BP 1001.

 

[TaylorJ]

Three Nobles on Reverb, and for days not hours. Economy must be bad.

Another one listed today.

 

[Killens84]

With the new Khan VTDI revision only being $400, the Noble becomes even harder to justify, IMHO.

 

[TaylorJ]

With the new Khan VTDI revision only being $400, the Noble becomes even harder to justify, IMHO.

Neptunium, oracle, luce… seems like we have a lot of options? Will the new khan be better?

 

[Killens84]

Neptunium, oracle, luce… seems like we have a lot of options? Will the new khan be better?

I just got the new Khan. It’s as good as the previous version, but now with a smaller footprint, 9V power adapter instead of IEC cord, and more pedalboard-friendly I/O jack locations.

There are so many great pre/DI options out there now, and preferences are subjective, but this new Khan VTDI is a huge win. I love the convenience of being able to fit it on a Pedaltrain Nano+ and power everything from a Cioks DC7.

 

[rcmbass]

I just got the new Khan. It’s as good as the previous version, but now with a smaller footprint, 9V power adapter instead of IEC cord, and more pedalboard-friendly I/O jack locations.

There are so many great pre/DI options out there now, and preferences are subjective, but this new Khan VTDI is a huge win. I love the convenience of being able to fit it on a Pedaltrain Nano+ and power everything from a Cioks DC7.
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Love this. Not sure I need this big heavy Walrus Audio Mantle.

 

[TaylorJ]

I just got the new Khan. It’s as good as the previous version, but now with a smaller footprint, 9V power adapter instead of IEC cord, and more pedalboard-friendly I/O jack locations.

There are so many great pre/DI options out there now, and preferences are subjective, but this new Khan VTDI is a huge win. I love the convenience of being able to fit it on a Pedaltrain Nano+ and power everything from a Cioks DC7.
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I agree, lots of great options. I will be curious to see how this compares to the Neptunium which is less expensive and smaller. Although you can only get it used at the moment.

 

[rockinrayduke]

I don't think you speak for anyone but yourself. And don't insinuate otherwise.

Zooberwerx is a highly respected and technically adept member of the community.

Your snarky comment was inaccurate and uncalled for.

Oh, and problematic as well.....

Wondering why this guy hasn’t been bounced.

 

[Dawghouse88]

Subscribed to your YT channel just today and like the simple format of your demos. Being an Aussie I'm looking forward to the Mozztronics preamps, especially the BP 1001.

I somehow missed this comment from June Thank you for subscribing. The Mozztronics preamps are definitely cool and worth checking out. The BP-1001 may be for sale at the moment *hint hint*, heheh.

 

[emjazz]

I just got the new Khan. It’s as good as the previous version, but now with a smaller footprint, 9V power adapter instead of IEC cord, and more pedalboard-friendly I/O jack locations.

There are so many great pre/DI options out there now, and preferences are subjective, but this new Khan VTDI is a huge win. I love the convenience of being able to fit it on a Pedaltrain Nano+ and power everything from a Cioks DC7.
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Side question….Lightspeed works well on bass?

 

[wolffire99]

I just got the new Khan. It’s as good as the previous version, but now with a smaller footprint, 9V power adapter instead of IEC cord, and more pedalboard-friendly I/O jack locations.

There are so many great pre/DI options out there now, and preferences are subjective, but this new Khan VTDI is a huge win. I love the convenience of being able to fit it on a Pedaltrain Nano+ and power everything from a Cioks DC7.
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This board rules

 

[Killens84]

This board rules

Thank you! I absolutely love it.

 

[SteveC]

I’m thinking maybe this…

I currently have the GLXD+ and HXS going into a Pinstripe MISO line/direct box. I was happy with the Empress when I had it before a REDDI. The HXS would be more of a multi effects in this set up. Get the tone from the Khan.

 

[BeeBatty]

Wondering why this guy hasn’t been bounced.

A troll that pops up its head up every four years. Nothing to be concerned with.

 

[Zoot H Rollo]

Mayday holding strong

 

[Zoot H Rollo]

Routing

Mayday 1/4" Out > Ampero II Stage L/R > RME Babyface Pro 3/4

Mayday XLR Out > RME Babyface Pro Mic 1

For bass AND guitar

Phenom!

Cubase Pro 15 running Kontakt orchestral libraries at high buffer

Hardware monitoring bass/guitar tracking (zero latency) through RME TotalMix

 

[GTHintz]

A troll that pops up its head up every four years. Nothing to be concerned with.

It gets lonely under the bridge so once in a while the great troll magically appears from the depths of his mom’s basement and imparts his wisdom on the online masses. We can choose to ignore them or in my case I tend to outright roast them back into hiding for another fortnight.