I'm in preamp buying mode & I'm looking at an Aggie 659,a Demeter VTBP201S, an Ampeg SVP PRO & an Eden WP100. I'm going to run this into a Crown Microtech 1200 to a Bergantino HT112. The bands i'm in play everything from Elvis Presley to The Stones to Puddle of Mud to David Bowie to Clapton to AC/DC. Any help would be appreciated.
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Which Preamp?
- Thread starter Lowfader
- Start date
I used to own the SVP Pro, currently own the Eden Nav and an Aguilar DB680. I would recommend the 680 over the others. Ampeg had distortion problems after a couple of years, even after I replaced the tubes. With the Nav I had a hard time cutting through in a band but at home the thing sounds wonderfull. I find it difficult to part with it. The DB680 is the goods - tube warmth and punch combined with hi-fi, highly eg'd tone. Everything you want is in there! No problems cutting thru in the band. I feel like I occupy a different sonic space from the drummer and I still cut thru with warmth. The whole room is awash with bass! I bought mine used and haven't regretted the purchase. If you find one used you should grab it.
I've never tried the 680. I presently use the preamp of an Ampeg SVT 3 PRO. I'd like to clean it up a little bit. I have a Yamaha PB1 that I've taken out on gigs but i miss the tubes. The problem is there's no 1 place to go around here to try all these pre's unless i can find a preamp farm somewhere.
The 659 has been discontinued, but there are plenty of used ones out there. Of that list, I've only played thru the Eden but didn't have any problems cutting thru. It's a good sounding preamp and much different than the Ampeg sound (I'm currently using an SVT4 and had an original SVT years ago). The Eden might be a really good one to look at.
I'm actually waiting on a PB1 which will be the backup preamp for a rack system I'm working on, main pre will be tubes and I don't feel comfortable not having a backup - so not a bad idea to hang onto yours.
I'm actually waiting on a PB1 which will be the backup preamp for a rack system I'm working on, main pre will be tubes and I don't feel comfortable not having a backup - so not a bad idea to hang onto yours.
Have you thought much about an Alembic f1-x.
Out of what you mentioned though I'd go for the demeter.
Out of what you mentioned though I'd go for the demeter.
- Apr 3, 2003
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Of the preamps you mention, I would say that the Navigator is the tonal chameleon of the group, and that may be just what you need. Yes, I love the DB 659 (and the 680), and the 201s (and the HBP-1), but the Eden is not blown away by any of these, IME/IMHO, and is probably the most flexbile. I have not gigged with an Ampeg pre, BTW.
Tom.
Tom.
I called a Guitar Center about an hour from here last night. Me: Hello, can i have the bass department? Bass department: Hello, this is so & so. Me: Do you have any bass preamps? Him: Do we have any what? Me: Rackmount Bass preamps. Him: Hmmmmm, let me check,Hmmmmm, computer keys clicking, nope, i don't see any. We got them little sans amp boxes. Me: Okay thank you, i'll check back in a few weeks to see if you have any used ones. Goodbye.--- I'm having a hard time finding a music store that has any bass preamps. I have a question about the Demeter 1.5 space pre's. Did all of them have the Jensen transformer? I know there's the 201,the201DB & the 201DBL, which is B+ voltage & effects loop, but how do you know if there's a Jensen transformer?
Audition the SansAmp BDDI at GC. That'll give you a good idea of what the SansAmp RBI rackmount pre sounds like. The only tonal difference is that the RBI has a mid control (800Hz).
I do recommend the RBI: it can do clean as well as dirty, has versatile patching options, and costs less than the other preamps mentioned here (except the Yammie?)
More info here:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
rockstarbassist
Inactive
I've owned the Navigator and Demeter, and currently use the Aggy 659.
It to me is by far the best-sounding (and simplest!!) choice. Would I trade up for a 680 if I could??
Of course.
The Demeter was 2nd, followed by the Eden which I had noise problems with. My Aggy is dead-quiet and even though the EQ is simple, it really is pretty powerful. I love it!
It to me is by far the best-sounding (and simplest!!) choice. Would I trade up for a 680 if I could??
Of course. The Demeter was 2nd, followed by the Eden which I had noise problems with. My Aggy is dead-quiet and even though the EQ is simple, it really is pretty powerful. I love it!
I have heard that only the VERY newest VTBP-201s have the Jensen DI out. Apparently the HBP-1 has had it for a while.
The Aguilar was very clean and crisp, but sounded a little to sterile for my tastes. To others, it has the perfect sound . . .
The Aguilar was very clean and crisp, but sounded a little to sterile for my tastes. To others, it has the perfect sound . . .
All that classic rock sound,you need the svp pro very versitle,thick and juicy tone,just the way you want it.
I bought an Eden Navigator this past year and have put over 100 gigs on it so far. I played with a pretty loud rock & blues band with a killer guitarist fronting the group.
Running through a Crown K1 and an SWR 4x10 I had absolutely no problem cutting through the mix in any room -- and that is with the EQ nearly flat! All I did was boost the lows slightly in some venues, and had maybe 20-30% on the Enhance and Tube knobs engaged.
For me, the best features are the EQ, compressor and the recording DI out -- which has its own level control to the board. I send the signal pre EQ, post Compressor. Sound men frickin' love it.
I also owned an Aguilar DB 680. I must agree, the sound was remarkable, but I sold it and ended up with the Nav because I was in between gigs & rigs and thought I wasn't going to need it anymore... No regrets though.
FYI -- both preamps seem to match extremely well with the Crown. Some others I tried like the Sans Amp and Bass Pod didn't seem to have enough power to drive the Crown properly. Just my opinion...
Running through a Crown K1 and an SWR 4x10 I had absolutely no problem cutting through the mix in any room -- and that is with the EQ nearly flat! All I did was boost the lows slightly in some venues, and had maybe 20-30% on the Enhance and Tube knobs engaged.
For me, the best features are the EQ, compressor and the recording DI out -- which has its own level control to the board. I send the signal pre EQ, post Compressor. Sound men frickin' love it.
I also owned an Aguilar DB 680. I must agree, the sound was remarkable, but I sold it and ended up with the Nav because I was in between gigs & rigs and thought I wasn't going to need it anymore... No regrets though.
FYI -- both preamps seem to match extremely well with the Crown. Some others I tried like the Sans Amp and Bass Pod didn't seem to have enough power to drive the Crown properly. Just my opinion...
You can always try [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. I realize it is coming through your computer speakers, but you can still get an idea on the tone of many preamps.
-Mike
Owned all except the SVP pro. I'm ranking this from clean to gritty
1. Demeter- very clean and neutral. Doesn't add alot to your sound
2. Eden- clean, but warmer than the demeter.
3. aggie 659-similar to the alembic, but more hifi grittier, and a meaty lowend
4. alembic- "darker than the aggie, and not as hifi.
I own the aggie 680 and think it is one of the best all around preamps. Very clean and articulate, but also warm and still maintains a hifi sound.
1. Demeter- very clean and neutral. Doesn't add alot to your sound
2. Eden- clean, but warmer than the demeter.
3. aggie 659-similar to the alembic, but more hifi grittier, and a meaty lowend
4. alembic- "darker than the aggie, and not as hifi.
I own the aggie 680 and think it is one of the best all around preamps. Very clean and articulate, but also warm and still maintains a hifi sound.
