Recto Pre w/weak gain

[binnerscot]

I bought it used, I didn't get to try before I bought it. 99% of the time its tubes, I swapped all the 6 with known good tubes and it still sounds like a 60's Marshall for gain. I know it isn't anything else in the path (even went direct from either input out to power amp), the Fish pre is happy as can be in the same rig.

Are there any common ailments that would cause this? Thanks.

 

[elvis]

Mesa preamps usually have quite large output impedance on the FX sends and main outs. If you are driving a low-impedance input in an effect unit, record channel or power amp input with it, it will sound weak and dull. A buffer will improve this problem.

 

[binnerscot]

Mesa preamps usually have quite large output impedance on the FX sends and main outs. If you are driving a low-impedance input in an effect unit, record channel or power amp input with it, it will sound weak and dull. A buffer will improve this problem.

I am sure that is not the issue. The rack is GCX, Bogner Fish, G-Major, and Peavey Classic 120/120. How about this for a description, my the Brit channel/setting with the gain at 5 on my Road King has more gain than this Recto Pre on Modern with the gain maxed! I am not talking about a subtle tonal difference between a Recto head or other pre.

 

[elvis]

Maybe yes, maybe no. The input impedance of the G Major is only 13k, which is super low. Try running the pre directly into the power amp to at least rule it out.

 

[binnerscot]

Maybe yes, maybe no. The input impedance of the G Major is only 13k, which is super low. Try running the pre directly into the power amp to at least rule it out.

I know it isn't anything else in the path (even went direct from either input out to power amp)...

Yeah, I quoted myself. This isn't a newb question regarding how to hook it up, I have been doing this for 20 years (though this is my first Recto Pre). I was just curious if anyone else has run into this type of problem before. There is no noise that would typical of a tube problem, and even swapped with known good tubes.

 

[elvis]

Sorry - I missed that you had tried that.

Why is it relevant how long you've been doing this? We all have problems, and we're all still learning.

 

[binnerscot]

It is only relevant to avoid the typical suggestions for someone that may be unfamiliar with the gear or certain ways of setting it up.

The guy I bought it from is being very good about letting me return it. I have a new one in shipping already, so this situation is resolved, but I am still curious as to what was up with the old one.

Its like the input stages were toast. There was appropriate output, just no cascading gain? The clean didn't dirty up when the gain maxed, the Brit mode didn't develop any edge to it at any gain setting. I have never run into any amp or preamp that had those symptoms. The lead channels sounded like a slightly weaker "pushed" mode on a Dual Rec.

 

[binnerscot]

I bought a brand new one and it works as expected. I did change out V1 with an EHX vs the JJ (I'll change out the rest down the road).

It sounds like it should. It feels comfy with the gain at 3:00 on the channel 2 vintage. Seems to be just a little lower in gain than my Road King II which I usually have the gain at about 2:00 (but I think I ran my gain at about 3:00 on my old Dual Rec also). The gain is just a bit more raw feeling and sounding than the Road King. The presence is just a touch harsher.....pretty much the same differences I noted between my old DR and the Road King. So it the Recto Pre is true to form.

I don't use the Modern as I think I would really need to run it through the Mesa 2:100 and Modern engaged on the power for to it have the impact that heads do. It sounds like Modern, but is lower in volume than Raw and Vintage....by design.

The clean channel is very good, though the mode changes are not as drastic as with the Road King. Going from clean to Brit is quite a different gain structure on the Road King where the Recto pre is more subtle between clean and Brit.

If you dime the gain for Brit on the Road King it seems close to a fat, mid gain JCM800, dimed gain on Recto Pre Brit is not as over driven, maybe closer to a hot tweed but does have more bite.

...and thank you Mesa for the ground lift on the Recto Pre. I have this connected via an actual "Y" cable with with the Bogner Fish (and GCX) to A/B between the pre-amps. There was just a bit of buzz when grounded. Lift, and all is dead silent.