Sansamp PSA 1

wallopwallop · #1 12-16-2002, 09:56 AM

I've been snapping a few bits and pieces up over recent months as I want to build a rack system. So far I have the following:

Lexicon Reflex
Rocktron Velocity 120
Marshall 2 x 12 cab
ADA midi foot controller

The amp, processor and cabs are all in near mint condition. Foot controller is a little bashed but works perfectlyI have built up the whole system so far for the princely sum of £350. Aside from the rack case, the only missing link now is a pre amp. I have been offered a Sansamp PS1 for a really good price.

Does anybody own one and care to share? I've been to Harmony Central but got the usual "This is ther greatest piece of equipment ever manufactured" bullsh*t! I need some objective opinions here people.

Mr Orange · #2 12-16-2002, 11:10 AM

PSA-1, right? No hands-on experience, but my friend had one but, he sold it when he was broke. He's been regretting that sale ever since. I hear it's very good sounding unit, many people prefer that rackmount unit to PODs and stuff alike. Check it out.

somata · #3 12-16-2002, 12:28 PM

i played one for awhile in sam ash, and it seemed to be a pretty good unit-although i couldn't dial in a heavy distorted sound i really liked--but i was also only playing with it for 20minutes. at another site i frequent, there are several players who use one and love it (one switched from a jmp-1/ mesa 2:95 setup to the psa-1/mosvalve poweramp). the one thing that i know sansamp recommends (and the users at this other site agree with) is to run it through a solid state power amp...apparantly the fet technology doesn't sound as good through a tube poweramp...too much compression i believe. i know that one of the guitarist from the band isis uses one through a mackie pa poweramp, and his sound is devestating...and they are so ridiculously loud.

wallopwallop · #4 12-16-2002, 12:34 PM

Sounding good so far. I'm not too fussed about the lack of heavily distorteds sound as I never play anything past a light crunch these days. My trusty old tube screamer is generally enough to push things over the edge anyways. The Rocktron power amp is apparently one of the most transparent sounding units on the market so I should be OK.

Cheers

Matt

gkelm · #5 12-16-2002, 03:36 PM

I had one for a short while and was impressed. It's very warm and smooth sounding, not harsh at all..maybe a little on the dark side (no pun) vs. bright.
Greg

PS - don't understimate the contribution of a tube power amp to rack tone...my opinion, anyway.

kent · #6 12-16-2002, 05:32 PM

If you need any tone advice, I think you will get a lot of help from the guys at Tech 21 in NYC if you give them a call. They take great pride in their products and I believe they will want you to be happy even if you didn't buy the unit new. I have called them before and they are very helpful.

Kent

wallopwallop · #7 12-17-2002, 05:05 AM

Cool. Thanks for all the input guys. I'll probably be going shopping at the the weekend.

Matt

Carlo · #8 12-17-2002, 06:38 AM

I'm like this close to buying one....let us know how it goes

bakerman · #9 12-17-2002, 10:29 AM

I have one, it's great... I really haven't played through as many amps as a lot of people here, I'm more of a "happy with what I have, don't care what else is out there" person. But I couldn't imagine wanting more gain or a heavier sound than this preamp can deliver. More than I need, but the high point is definitely the more moderate settings you can use... I like to have a distorted rhythm and lead sound, a super clean sound, and then some bluesy semi dirty variations, in one pedalboard bank. Works nice for me.

Jordan

somata · #10 12-17-2002, 12:25 PM

sorry, didn't mean to imply that a great heavy sound wasn't in there, was just mentioning in passing that i couldn't dial one in in the BRIEF time i'm played with it--more of an anecdote really. sorry for any confusion!! let us know if you get one, and what you think of it...i've been thinking about putting together another rack recently too (although i like to think of my millenium as a rack in head form...)

wallopwallop · #11 01-02-2003, 06:11 AM

An update:

I walked in to the shop armed with £160 ($250) and picked up a mint, boxed PSA-1 complete with manual). The pawn shop owner just didn't know what he had on his shelf. It's awesome. I can dial in anything from Dimebag to superclean funk tones and they all sound fantastic. It sounds (9.5/10) like a tube amp and you can even dial in whether you want pre-amp or power amp distortion from the unit itself. Much better than any Line 6 products I have tried and far simpler to use too.

If anyone is thinking about getting one of these units I really recommend giving it a go.