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Why are standalone preamplifiers a dying breed?

What do you think about standalone bass preamps

  • I wish there were more options for standalone bass pre's

    Votes: 89 28.3%

  • I think there are plenty of options for standalone bass pre's

    Votes: 70 22.2%

  • I get everything I need from integrated heads

    Votes: 91 28.9%

  • I used to use bass pre's, now I used studio channels

    Votes: 12 3.8%

  • I went fishing once. I like ice cream. Durr Hurrrrr....

    Votes: 53 16.8%
  • Total voters
    315
#81
I use separate pre/power because I 'm broke and would rather spend money on booze than gear. Once I had a nice power amp with a nice warranty all had to do was keep looking for the right preamp. For less than $400 I have all the headroom I need. Now it's just all up to the speakers I bring and if we decide to be drunk and loud one night and I don't bring enough speakers than the 'watts' isn't going to fix that. I just won't be loud enough!

I wish companies like Eden would make a SIMPLE and AFFORDABLE preamp with bass, sweepable mids and highs, volume of course. I don't need "bass thruster" or presence or drive or .... just a nice clean sound. If I want more, then I dig in more. If I still want more I buy a stomp box. I love the tone of a Eden Nav, but so expensive to just "set it and forget it." I mentioned in another thread, how about one with just one switch for Ampeg tone and modern high fi tone? All compressors and maximizers etc built in and set to auto. I'm not a knob tweeker as I find plenty of versatility in my fingers, but do use the pre on my bass to adjust for room weirdness occasionally.

Don't forget about the Phil Jones preamp. Don't know if it's 1ru or not, but it sure sounds nice. Also a lot of companies have gone the way of pedal pre's as well. If I am using a power amp I figure might as well have it all in a rack, but just me. I think everybody is hitting the micro fad though. Again just too much money for me.
 
#84
KJung said:
I think that if the PA amp market ever put out a one space rack amp that put out decent power bridged into 4ohms without melting, and without being 20" deep, it would really re-invigorate the bass pre market.

If, for example, Acoustic Image came out with their Clarus+ power module in a rack mountable unit the size of the markbass F1, there would be a lot of cats that would go for a nice one rack space pre like the Pope, and a power amp like that, in a lightweight 2 space rack that would way 20 pounds or so total.

IMO!
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The powersoft (Invalid Link Removed) digam L fits that description. 1 unit high and 14" deep.
 
#90
I have a couple of prototype preamp designs on my bench in various configurations. If I thought there was a decent market, I might pursue commercial development but I suspect that it would only ever be a limited production, part time kind of thing. I'm leaning more towards "channel strip" type affairs than the typical bass preamp.

And there are some serious misconceptions about how power amps and speakers actually work in this thread. :hiding:
 
#91
KJung said:
I think that if the PA amp market ever put out a one space rack amp that put out decent power bridged into 4ohms without melting, and without being 20" deep, it would really re-invigorate the bass pre market.

If, for example, Acoustic Image came out with their Clarus+ power module in a rack mountable unit the size of the markbass F1, there would be a lot of cats that would go for a nice one rack space pre like the Pope, and a power amp like that, in a lightweight 2 space rack that would way 20 pounds or so total.

IMO!
Click to expand...

They are not all that cheap just yet but Power soft is making some really high powered single space power amps. One of their models is actually a 4 channel amp. When these things become more affordable I can't imagine how that will help the typical band reducing 3 or 4 power amps and 4 rack spaces down to 8 channels in 2 spaces...


Invalid Link Removed
 
#92
peterpalmieri said:
They are not all that cheap just yet but Power soft is making some really high powered single space power amps. One of their models is actually a 4 channel amp. When these things become more affordable I can't imagine how that will help the typical band reducing 3 or 4 power amps and 4 rack spaces down to 8 channels in 2 spaces...


Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

+1 TecAmp uses the Powersoft class D modules in some of their Puma heads, and they sound and perform wonderfully.

Again, for my needs, with 5 pound integrated heads like the Markbass F1 or TecAmp Puma, I have zero interest in ever going 'rack size' again. However, I can see the interest in those who need the big watts and/or have a studio type preamp that they like.
 
#93
I have been using one of these for the past year or so.
oneq_2.jpg

Killer pre, I would highly recommend checking one out if you get a chance.
 
#94
Interesting topic, I've never been a Pre/power guy personally and I have no reason to criticize others who choose this path. I think it's been said a few times for one person to question another on what is needed in terms of volume never really works.

I can say however that I do own a number of power amps all Crown that I use to run at home and also a few others that I use as a band PA (all Crown XTIs). I also have owned a bunch of Studio mic Pres that I use for home recording and for occassional studio use (Summit, Millennia, Focusrite and some others).

I give that information because I have played with different pairings for the fun of it. Volume aside because I personally have no need to run the full capabilities of an XTI4000, a Millennia TD1 paired with a Crown XTI4000 sounds pretty darn nice but not any better then my Glockenklang, Epifani, Mesa or Euphonic Audio amps sounded and we're talking about carrying around a 4 space rack, for a touring bass player that might not be a big deal but for a guy playing local clubs and going up and down stairs it makes no sense.

I guess what I'm trying to say is I have the opportunity at any time to play a Millennia TD1 and Crown XTI4000 and I just don't see any advantage sonically.

Being where we are with technology it would be foolish to not include recording channel strips in this discussion and when you do the world of preamps is wide open...
 
#95
To people posting about Hevos, Powersoft, etc. the main reason they are not "recognized" or "known" more in these forums is because those brands are not available in the US. Sure, they can be imported individually at great expense, but most people don't have that kind of budget for an amp that is not already "proven" or "well known".
 
#96
bongomania said:
To people posting about Hevos, Powersoft, etc. the main reason they are not "recognized" or "known" more in these forums is because those brands are not available in the US. Sure, they can be imported individually at great expense, but most people don't have that kind of budget for an amp that is not already "proven" or "well known".
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Powersoft is actually available in the US through Full Compass. It is however pretty pricy!
 
#99
MIJ-VI said:
Vis stöttan. :p
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Vem? Jag? :D

Mark Reccord said:
I have a couple of prototype preamp designs on my bench in various configurations. If I thought there was a decent market, I might pursue commercial development but I suspect that it would only ever be a limited production, part time kind of thing.
Click to expand...

Let me know when you need a field tester!!!! :ninja:

Mark Reccord said:
And there are some serious misconceptions about how power amps and speakers actually work in this thread. :hiding:
Click to expand...

Stop stirring the pot Mark!!!! :spit:
 

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