Egnater IE4

armindo__dias · #1 04-04-2001, 11:23 AM

I've read some great reviews in H-C about these pre-amps. What's your opionion about this pre-amp? Do any of you owns/played this pre-amp? How does it compare, say, to the Mesa TriAxis? I know that the TriAxis is more versatile, with more amp voicings, but i'm talking in terms of good tube sound. Also, can he do great metal (thrash, death-metal) tones?

jay ratkowski · #2 04-04-2001, 12:08 PM

If you can find a pre-Rocktron one, I'd definately recomend getting one. *I hate Mesa, so I would never compare it to one. *It doesn't have TONS of gain, but I think it has way more than enough. *(I suppose channel 3 has about the amount of gain as a Legacy) *One of these days, I will finally stop being lazy and get some sound clips up. *Working on building my isolation "booth" first.

armindo__dias · #3 04-04-2001, 12:12 PM

What's the big deal about getting one pre-Rocktron? I've heard a lot of comments raving the older ones, but i may only be able to get one post-Rocktron... how the new ones differ from the older ones? Does the older have better tone, more gain?

jay ratkowski · #4 04-04-2001, 01:29 PM

For more details, email Bruce Egnater on this matter, he is always of great willingness to help.

Bascially, Rocktron took Bruce's design... and mass produced it. *You are looking at mass-production vs. hand-made. *Also, the hand-made ones were definately made with higher standards than the Rocktrons... with higher quality parts. *Rocktron is still good... but just not as good. *Like I said, email Bruce, he could tell you lots more. *The IE4's are supposed to be near identical... but I would still hunt for a pre-tron. *

**jemsite** · #5 04-04-2001, 01:35 PM

It is a quality product, worth of a listen if it's within budget.

While what Jay says is true, i'd love to do a blind-study A/B comparison where they are compared. I question if in fact you can tell the difference, and if so, IS the old one the one that sounds better (engineering issues aside). I know Bruce has in the past hawked 'old models' and might still sell them directly.

With any amp you need to TEST DRIVE. You could mail order some boutique amp and have it sound worse than the $600 at a local shop collecting dust... glen

**jono** · #6 04-04-2001, 02:13 PM

Well - I've never tried a pre-rocktron IE4 but I adore the new ones I've tried

To re-iterate glen's sentiment, let your own ears decide, (even if it's our ears that tell you that the trip to the store will be worth it

)

davenit · #7 04-04-2001, 04:11 PM

I have an old red face unit. Pre-Rock. I won't get rid of it but it is not my pre-amp of choice. Channel 3 and 4 almost have identical gain. Plenty of head room but not nearly enough gain for my taste.

I am still waiting for the elusive VHT GP-3 to come out and I am always looking for a soldano x88 or 99 at a reasonable price.

I got a great deal on the Egnater. I would not pay the kind of price tags people are looking to get for Bruces original.

His new line of preamps are better IMO. Especially the new modules that he created for severe high gain.

Good god does his website stink... I wonder if he needs a designer.........

Dave

jay ratkowski · #8 04-04-2001, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Quote: from davenit on 2:11 pm on April 4, 2001
I have an old red face unit. Pre-Rock. I won't get rid of it but it is not my pre-amp of choice. Channel 3 and 4 almost have identical gain. Plenty of head room but not nearly enough gain for my taste.

REALLY?! *I have an old silver-face. *Channel 3 sounds very much like a hot-rodded vintage marshall... 4 sounds pretty over-the-top, but could use more gain just for when you're feeling crazy.