Preamp?

[King Guitar]

If you want VOX type Cleans you can get a VOX or a Matcheless or Divided by 13.

I also run both a Soldano SLO100 half stack and a Motorized X99 Soldano/Caswell Preamp and the both sound great but I would say the head is a bit more robust and rich but the motorized pots are slick and work great live.

I also have a Diezel Herbert rig and that is THE METAL amp as far as I am concerned. A universe of sounds with my Diezel head and my small Rack.

My big NASA rack is being built now (waiting on Bogner FIsh, ENGL E570 & ISP Decimator Stereo) and and if Peter comes out with a preamp I will put one in the big rig.

Brad in RI

 

[visualrocker69]

Why settle on the ENGL 570? Get the 580!

 

[borkincz]

If you want VOX type Cleans you can get a VOX or a Matcheless or Divided by 13.

I also run both a Soldano SLO100 half stack and a Motorized X99 Soldano/Caswell Preamp and the both sound great but I would say the head is a bit more robust and rich but the motorized pots are slick and work great live.

I also have a Diezel Herbert rig and that is THE METAL amp as far as I am concerned. A universe of sounds with my Diezel head and my small Rack.

My big NASA rack is being built now (waiting on Bogner FIsh, ENGL E570 & ISP Decimator Stereo) and and if Peter comes out with a preamp I will put one in the big rig.

Brad in RI

Hi, how much have you payed for Soldano X99, I can buy one now for 3000 dollars and I think, it costed this when it was brand new. Have you any comparision this preamp possibilites to VH4 head? Isn´t it needles to look for this preamp, whenever VH4 sholud do the same work for me or the combination of them both could be good?
Thanks, I have no chance to try it out before buying the preamp, it is so far from me, I can only order it..

 

[supersonic]

The X99 and VH4 are quite different. The X99 is more classic rock, punchier, cleaner overdrive. The VH4 is more new age, big bottom end, 3D.

 

[JohnRageOn]

The X99 and VH4 are quite different. The X99 is more classic rock, punchier, cleaner overdrive. The VH4 is more new age, big bottom end, 3D.

The funny thing is that I've put an X99 on the return of VH4 and the result was a similar Diezel voicing.
Their preamp designs are not so different.

 

[duesentrieb]

The X99 and VH4 are quite different. The X99 is more classic rock, punchier, cleaner overdrive. The VH4 is more new age, big bottom end, 3D.

The funny thing is that I've put an X99 on the return of VH4 and the result was a similar Diezel voicing.
Their preamp designs are not so different.

They are, John.

 

[JohnRageOn]

The X99 and VH4 are quite different. The X99 is more classic rock, punchier, cleaner overdrive. The VH4 is more new age, big bottom end, 3D.

The funny thing is that I've put an X99 on the return of VH4 and the result was a similar Diezel voicing.
Their preamp designs are not so different.

They are, John.

Whatever the doctor says!

But believe me, ask Alex too, when we did this experiment we were so confused it sounded so close.
It must be VH4's OT, it is detrimental to the sound.

 

[duesentrieb]

Yup.

 

[supersonic]

The X99 and VH4 are quite different. The X99 is more classic rock, punchier, cleaner overdrive. The VH4 is more new age, big bottom end, 3D.

The funny thing is that I've put an X99 on the return of VH4 and the result was a similar Diezel voicing.
Their preamp designs are not so different.

I've done the same with my Herbert. The X99 lacks the overall brutality of the Herbert pre. I can get the X99 close but I need to bump up the depth on the Herbert a couple of notches. Both sound fantastic, the X99 has more bite and less oomph. The X99 sounds better through the Herbert than any other power stage I've tried.

 

[visualrocker69]

Even VHT?

 

[supersonic]

Even VHT?

I used to use a VHT 2150 with a X99 around '92-'95, it sounded pretty damn good. I haven't used that combo for many years, so it's hard to compare. Lately I've been using a Soldano power amp (SM 100) which doesn't have a depth knob. A friend has a 2150 so I realy should compare it with the Herbert. The Herbert power stage makes the X99 sound huge.

 

[visualrocker69]

Even VHT?

I used to use a VHT 2150 with a X99 around '92-'95, it sounded pretty damn good. I haven't used that combo for many years, so it's hard to compare. Lately I've been using a Soldano power amp (SM 100) which doesn't have a depth knob. A friend has a 2150 so I realy should compare it with the Herbert. The Herbert power stage makes the X99 sound huge.

I think I read somewhere that Michael Soldano himself swears by VHT power amps for his preamps.

Also, wasn't the power section of the XTC 100B modeled after the VHT Classic chrome power amp?

 

[supersonic]

Even VHT?

I used to use a VHT 2150 with a X99 around '92-'95, it sounded pretty damn good. I haven't used that combo for many years, so it's hard to compare. Lately I've been using a Soldano power amp (SM 100) which doesn't have a depth knob. A friend has a 2150 so I realy should compare it with the Herbert. The Herbert power stage makes the X99 sound huge.

I think I read somewhere that Michael Soldano himself swears by VHT power amps for his preamps.

Also, wasn't the power section of the XTC 100B modeled after the VHT Classic chrome power amp?

I own a 100b and the X99 doesn't sound too good through its' power stage!

 

[JohnRageOn]

I've owned a VHT 2/50/2 for several years and have tried various preamp/power amp combinations.
VHT is an amazing power amp.
The X99 is the only preamp I liked on the power stage of VH4 better than the VHT.
It complements it.

 

[supersonic]

I've owned a VHT 2/50/2 for several years and have tried various preamp/power amp combinations.
VHT is an amazing power amp.
The X99 is the only preamp I liked on the power stage of VH4 better than the VHT.
It complements it.

Looks like we agree one one thing. Diezel make an exceptional power stage!

 

[photios]

I had a 2150, 2/90/2 and 2/50/2 for my X99 and I didnt care for any of them...guess I'm just not a VHT guy. I also had an SM100R and it was really good...basically the X99 + SM100R is a SLO-100 and that combo did sound and feel very similar to my SLO. But the best combo for me is the X99 + ENGL 850/100...that combination is deadly. Now that said, I've not tried my X99 with a Diezel...I've never had a Diezel of any kind...but I will definitely get one when a preamp and power amp come out...fingers crossed that will be coming soon.

 

[JohnRageOn]

I've owned a VHT 2/50/2 for several years and have tried various preamp/power amp combinations.
VHT is an amazing power amp.
The X99 is the only preamp I liked on the power stage of VH4 better than the VHT.
It complements it.

Looks like we agree one one thing. Diezel make an exceptional power stage!

So Peter should consider making a power amp too

 

[JohnRageOn]

...basically the X99 + SM100R is a SLO-100 and that combo did sound and feel very similar to my SLO.

X88R + SM100R were supposed to be similar to an SLO. I haven't played with an X88R though, and many people believe that it sounded better than the X99.
VHT's are the best power amps IMHO ATM. They're clear and have a tight bottom end.

 

[bbp]

Motorized pots ?

How about digital control on analog ones? Changes should be quicker if the motor doesn't have to turn it for the sound to change.

 

[stefvorcide]

Motorized pots ?

How about digital control on analog ones? Changes should be quicker if the motor doesn't have to turn it for the sound to change.

I'd rather choose to hear the knob moving and see 'em, it looks cooler and is more impresisve

Oh and Blue Lights also