Best Rackmount Preamp/Rackmount Poweramp Combos (no digital)

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lolzgreg

lolzgreg

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Hey everyone,

I'm thinking about moving my live rig into a rack-only format for convenience. I really don't like setting up a bunch of cables, and my amp head/roadcase takes up more space than most.

Please feel free to list your favorite valve driven, rackmount preamps and favorite tube poweramps. Clips would be a plus :D

Thanks for your help.

Greg :rock:
 
VHT Power Amp or Mesa Boogie 2:90 Power Amp

Affordable preamp: Soldano SP77 or ENGL E530
 
Triaxis > 2:90

or

Triaxis > Marshall 9100 Dual Monobloc
 
VTH 90/90
Randall RT252
Mono block

Peavey rockmaster
Soldano sp 77
Kasha Rockmod I or II
 
I bought a JMP-1 a few months ago and I really like it. I only paid $400 for it. Best bang for the buck i.mo.
 
Peavey Rockmaster preamp (1 space)
Peavey 50/50 power amp. (2 space)
 
I say you snag that Titan Preamp that is around on here and sevenstring.org
 
Don't know enough about preamps to offer any advice but I see 2 people suggesting the Soldano SP77 and have wondered about these myself and routinely see them on Ebay for 600-800 dollars. Are these pretty good units paired with the right power amp?
 
Ada MP1 -these can sound very good if you get one that's working well- I got one about 2 years ago that has " noise mods" and it's clear and quiet- not buzzy fizzy like many demos I've heard- I use it for Plexi and Marshall type medium gain tones, may actually be good enough for serious recording- I'll find out late in 2012.

The Mako Mak 4 is one you should check out. Extremely versatile from demos I've heard.

Also if Fortin is making them- guessing those will be very good based on demos of his Heads.

There is also the Kasha Rockmod 3 a full three channel 5 tube Preamp for only about $795. or a little less new- which is a great deal- but there are very few demos on it.
 
I have and recommend:

ADA MP-2 (I was a big user of ADA back in the day, never had the Classic, but I had several MP-1s, and used an MQ-1 (GEQ) with the MP-1). MP-2 is more of pain in the ass to tweak, but has better tones, and more options. Check out adadepot for the specs.

Marshall JMP-1

I've had my Triaxis for about two weeks now, so far this is my fav. Just connected it into a 3U rack with my G-System...plan to start dialing this in tonight!

Engl E530 (in-bound, should arrive Monday, but I'm out of town next week) - haven't tried this yet. If I need more, Engl E570 or E580.

Also used to own a Randall M4 - I highly recommend this unit!

Have not tried Mako or Bogner Fish, Rocktron Pirhana, etc.
 
I'm going to be going after a "racktifier" sometime soon.
 
lolzgreg":1mlfkrjn said:
Hey everyone,

I'm thinking about moving my live rig into a rack-only format for convenience. I really don't like setting up a bunch of cables, and my amp head/roadcase takes up more space than most.

Please feel free to list your favorite valve driven, rackmount preamps and favorite tube poweramps. Clips would be a plus :D

Thanks for your help.

Greg :rock:
Click to expand...


Greg, since everyone has been mentioning the Rockmaster, I have one that you can try at the casa dell ]v[etal ;)

I love the Boogie Quad preamp, Engl 530 and of course the Rockmaster. Even though not neede.....They all al sound insane with a TS in front :D

oh and O know its not a rackmount but don't overlook your boys Baron amps Snott watt. You could always slave that into a poweramp and put the mini head on top \m/ \m /
 
sjk":2ctysrjb said:
Don't know enough about preamps to offer any advice but I see 2 people suggesting the Soldano SP77 and have wondered about these myself and routinely see them on Ebay for 600-800 dollars. Are these pretty good units paired with the right power amp?
Click to expand...

The SP77 has a great Clean channel, but the gan channel is lacking! Would have to be modified to get into modern rock territory. I wanted to like it, but it just didn't sound that great. I ran it thru my VHT 2-50-2.
 
Pre's- I've had good experience with ADA MP-1, Mesa Triaxis, and the Mak4

Power- Fryette 2502 is the only one I have first hand knowledge of and it kills.

The low end is very tight and focused on the fryette power amps. For preamps I'd have to recommend the mak4. It does take up a bunch of real estate, 4 spaces, but it kills and it's nice to have knobs to turn unless you like digital menus and programing :thumbsdown:
 
Its hard to beat the Rockmaster for the money. It can be paired with any power amp and get great tones.
 
Peters Hydra + Chimera
preamp_sm.jpg


+

Mesa 2:100
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My main rig for years was a Mesa/Boogie Studio preamp, ADA microtube 100 power amp. That was a great combo.

I loved this set up but I went with a MKIV combo for a little more ease of transportation and set up.

5-29-05_0550.jpg
 
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