From DAVIDO@LYNXFS.COM Mon Jul 08 04:33:00 2002
Subject:Re: Opinions on inexpensive tube pre

It really depends on what sort of sound your after i guess, or rather
the levels of O/D you require. The type of tube seems to be crucial
in this factor, pre amps like the Speakeasy Vintage Tube are fitted
with a 12AU7 which is rated at about 20% gain. The Blue Tube has a
12AX7 which is closer to 100%, which basically means that it will O/D
much sooner. The 12AU7 tube IMO is better for organ as it gives a
wider saturation band, so it can sound warm and yet retain clarity. A
12AX7 pre amp will be more difficult to find that sweet-spot. I've
recently added a Speakeasy to my CX3->Pro3T rig and it has made a
huge difference. The Pro3T has a 12AX7 pre amp also so you have to
wind the pre-gain right back or it'll get muddy real quick. However,
the Speakeasy really brings this config. alive, stacks more volume
and the sound cuts through the mix. Plus it rounds off the shrillness
of the CX3 and introduces a bit of growl without getting all thick
and muddy. I've only briefly tested the Speakeasy without the Pro3T
direct into a Roland KC300, and this had slightly less dramatic
results, at least at living room volume but this unit only really
comes in to it's own when you get loud. Tried it out with the Pro3T
at a band rehearsal however and even the guitar player commented on
how good it sounded...

Dave

--- In CloneWheel@y..., "jaffa314" wrote:
> I recommend one of the ALEMBIC pres. The F2-B is a replica of the
old
> fender blackface in a rack, it has 2 channels and sounds beautiful!
> the F1-x is the mono version.
>
> Also, summit audio has a tube DI box thats supposed to be good.
>
> David