If you could buy any tube preamp, what would it be???

[ryjan]

MP-1 - very easy to use, but not enough gain, preset glitches, and used to be hard to get serviced.

I've listened to an MP-1 with the 3TM, 3 tube mod, and this thing ROCKS! More gain then you'll ever need.. But like you've mentioned, support is all on your own. Those who sell the 3TM can install and perhaps service if you send it back if probs came up.

I say stock ADA mp-1. If you need more gain, you probably need to practice more. I can't imagine maxing out the gain on this thing.

+1 All of the MP-1s ive played never needed to have the gain over 75% for even Randy Rhodes tone. Tube amps have smooth gain that shows the nuance of your technique instead of hiding behind a crappy metal zone pedal.

 

[scottcrud]

I'm about to jump back into the rack world. I'm getting a 2:90 power amp and a Studio Preamp, but I'm highly considering running a stereo setup, and getting a Engl E530 to run with the Studio Preamp. I'm pretty simple, I only need two channels, a good clean and a killer high gain rhythm channel.

 

[mrcomputer]

TriAxis.

Tons of tone - I run mine with a 20/20 and Thieles. You can put FX in the loop, on the outputs, in the front end or in the final mix - it's up to you. Need more boom? Use a 2:90 instead of the 20/20. Midi switching has been flawless.

jbw

 

[Spoons]

Egnater is in the process of making the E2 which is a 1U modular preamp that will hold two modules. I think that one is gonna have a home in my rack this year after it is released. It should go quite nicely with my Triaxis and Rocktron Prophesy II.

What I'd REALLY like to have is one of these 2U dream preamps. It has 216 different tones before you even touch the knobs on the right hand side of the unit. Nine distinctly different modes (based on the Egnater Modules), two gains for each mode, four EQ's for each mode, three different tube choices for each mode. Awesome and easy to use!

Click HERE for full size photo.

Here is a LINK to the discussion on the Egnater forum.

 

[again with this]

Either VHT/Fryette GP3 or Engl 580.

 

[infrared72]

One of the Egnater modular preamps, a Bogner Fish, Soldano 77 or 99, CAE, and a Demeter. I saw a rare Matchless preamp not long ago, and a Mesa Studio preamp would be great as well.

-PT

 

[Mr_You]

I had a non-phat mod Triaxis and 50/50.

It will do what you want and is relatively simple to use when compared to the endless tweaking of other gear. I really only used the green and red modes/channels.

The 50/50 gets the job done, but I would go for a 395 or 2:100 ran in mono for some SERIOUS tone.

The problem for me with these quality rackmount poweramps and their racks is they can get so heavy and cumbersome, you might find it easier to use/transport two heads+cabinets instead. My 4U small shallow effects rack with a power distributor, a future G-System and my Nova System and a 100W head+cabinet is all I need. I could easily add another head+cabinet to the equation for different tones and its still manageable. A quality amp switcher is a consideration if I don't want to use different cabinets/speakers.