preamp question

[shawn]

ive had a mesa triaxis (cool, but not what i like), a marshall JMP-1 (pretty sweet), an ADA mp-1 (sucked), and a jcm 900 head (sucked). *of all these, the jmp-1 is the closest to what im looking for. *i want a rack mountable unit, i am using a vht 2/50/2 power amp. *i want the idea of the jmp-1 with more real tube warmth (consequently, probably more than 2 tubes ). *any suggestions? *i heard a bogner triple giant (on rob balducci's cd), that sounded cool, but they dont make preamps any more that im aware of. *what is everyones favorite preamp?

[strat110]

Shawn, you may think I am nut but try a Sansamp PSA1, it may not have any tubes in it but the sounds are definitely of tube origin!

I have only compared it to a *ADA MP-1 and a Rocktron Chameleon [old model] but I went for the PSA1, its 100% analogue so its warm as hell, even though digital can be. *If you see one try it, I think you will be pleasently suprised!

[Jimi D]

I personally am sold on the oft-maligned Mesa Formula - I dunno, but it SINGS for me :biggrin: - but have you tried a Kitty Hawk Quatro? Beautiful sounding high gain tube preamp that was made in the late '80s - early '90s. They typically sell for < $400 when you find one on sale. Check out the Harmony Central reviews here. Fab bit of kit, really!

[davenit]

Shawn you got the right power amp. I have had a VHT for a while now.

I just went through the same nightmare. What preamp.
I had a Hafler T3 with telefunkens. The thing was great. It blew up after 10 years of service. Had a triple giant (hafler) and sold it. Wish I hadn't. Have an Egnater (pre-rocktron) now. The thing is great. I'm not going to get rid of it but I am still lookiing for the right one.
I am still looking for the elusive Soldano X99 (used).
I finially heard a CAE 3+SE the other day. Damnnnn. Now I know what they mean when they say it sounds like an amp. That thing is nuts. Finding one is nuts to - LOL.

Since you have the VHT power amp you might want to wait until VHT releases the valvulator GP-3 preamp. Look on their web site www. vhtamps.com (I think). It sounds like an incredible piece for a grand.

I am not a boogie man myself. It is hard to get away from all that the triaxis offers. It's just not my cup of tea.

Dave

[shawn]

hey dave,
thanks for all that info. *how does the T3 compare to the Triple Giant's tone? *also, where did you hear the CAE 3+ and can you give me some tonal description and comparison between all these? youre really giving me some great choice ideas. *im with ya on the mesa, its great in theory, but the tone just isnt there.

[J Todd Beachler]

I use a Marshall JMP-1 with the Marshall EL-34 100/100. *Great combo. *Sounds terrific. *The power amp has 8 EL-34 tubes giving you that HUGE, round, tube sound. *It will tear your head off when cranked.

[BatmanNick]

For the more Marshall like character I like the Egnater IE-4.It's a killer preamp and sounds more amp like than alot of others.The Soldano X-99 is very brown sounding and I'd recommend you try that one as well.The VHT Valvulator is out and I've heard that it's the new preamp to beat but I haven't had a chance to try it myself.A friend of mine has the CAE 3+SE and that damn thing is incredible!It sounds more like a Marshall but it has the smoothness of a Boogie.Very impressive to say the least.The CAE is my recommendation followed by the Egnater.Good luck.Later

[jeff l]

The Valvulator is a tube-powered signal buffer designed to restore punchy tube tone when using several effects, cables, etc....

[BatmanNick]

There is the Valvulator V-1 Line Driver/Power Supply and then there's the Valvulator GP-3 rackmounable preamp.The GP-3 is what both myself and davenit were referring to.

[davenit]

Shawn, I loved my T3. It is an incredible metal preamp. The clean channel is horrible. The other 2 are extrememly usable. I am looking for a used one just to have around for recording. The triple giant was a little more versatile. It had a good blues sound to it and the gain was sweet. Once I put telefunkens in the T3 it warmed up real nice. ALSO, to my ear the T3 had more gain than my Egnater. It is very, very gainy. It muds a little but not enough to bother me.

The CAE had outstanding warmth. It had the fullness of a amp. Just an incredible piece of equipment. A little pricey (1600 new and a wait of forever).

Before I buy anything else I am waiting to hear the VHT. A friend has told me it is the nuts. I have to hear it myself. It is modeled after the pitbull and the superlead. I love both of those amps so I am looking forward to hearing it. It sells on ***************.com for 1049. They say it is due out in March.

When all is said and done I plug my Pod into my VHT power amp and the thing screams. I have just started playing with the software. If I can play with certain aspects of it a little more I might just use it as a preamp. This is coming form a guy who never touched a solid state anything in my life. The thing is really amazing.

Dave

[oooo]

Davenit, if you ever get sick of the pre-rocktron egnator pre-amp... drop me an e-mail.

[shawn]

nah, me first, i started the thread *

[davenit]

Sorry guys. These things are too hard to come by. I NEVER sell gear. I always regret it in the long run.

Dave

[Greg RG7]

I will never replace my Sansamp PSA-1 Preamp. *It is my sound. *most tube-like solid state preamp ever. First off, *keep this in mind : *the PSA-1 has been the SAME unit for the last 15 years or so!!! *A few MIDI changes here and there but the GUTS have been the same!! *that says something. *(doesnt Triaxis Update here and there like Version 2.0 or some crap?) *
* *For a Lethal tone no one can touch, a Sansamp PSA-1 with a good Rack EQ unit. *15-30 band is really good to sculpt out your tone a little more. (the sansamp only has "high and low" knobs)

keep Shreddin!! and if you can't, stay home! *P

[alienx]

My baby is my Rocktron Voodu Valve. It has a very good preamp section and Rocktron quality effects. It's the best bang for the buck IMO. I played it a couple of times thru a Mesa Boogie 2:90 and it sounded monstrous. Now, I'm saving for a second hand 2:90.