Feature:
Its a simple 1 channel preamp, how many features does it need? What you do get is important though.
Quality:
Been my first stage preamp, directly after my bass and before my Tech21 SansAmp, for over two years now. It goes with me on the road, I just toss it in back of the rack with the cables. Works every time I pull it out.
Great for being able to adjust the level of different basses, even switching to an upright, so I can use one rack with all the rest of my gear without having to change a hundred knobs to get the right sound. As long as the meter on this is peaking at 0, I know my effects will sound like I want them.
Don't listen to the retard who says the tube isn't hooked up. It is, just only operational on the models with the "warmth band" next to it. On neutral its just a transparent buffer/level converter. Don't believe me? Take it apart and pull the tube, set the model on "valve". Any idiot holding the manual could tell you this :)
Value:
Cheap and it works!
Sound:
Swap the tube, it makes a huge difference. I put in a electro-harmonix 12AX7EH, really improved the sound and reduced hum quite a bit. Going back to the stock tube would reduce my rating from an 9 to a 7. I'm going to scrap the stock opamps and go with something a bit more cleaner. If that works like it did on my 3630 compressor, I would have to change my sound rating to an 11.
The limiter really ruins the sound and keeps me from even thinking of anything higher than an 9. In fact I'd be really ticked if I couldn't turn it off. Avoid any setting with the limiter engaged. It just brings in the mud, wipes out any clarity at all levels. (You should know that this is just about par for any kind of limiter, IMHO, just not normally this bad at really low levels.)
Ease of Use:
Once again, single channel, gain and level knobs, easy... Just watch out, you're not using the tube on any modeling setting that doesn't have the "warmth band" beside it.
Support:
The best support is the kind you never had to use!
Overall:
Great size, just wish it had a power switch and mute switch. Neither of which is a deal breaker and if I needed that bad enough there is enough room to install one myself. Quick side note: I currently use the "20dB pad" button as some kind of mute when I switch instruments, this works well enough that I have not added a pure mute switch.
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