- but I think that I'll be using seperate components for quite a well. I like head room, and I find that most self-contained heads just don't have the wattage I'm looking for. Anyways, I'm currently using a BBE B-max (the solid state version) in my rack. I'm very happy with it, and plan on using it for quite a while. Unlike most bells and whistles, which are usually useless, the two "extras" on the preamp - a basic compressor and what BBE is best known for, a Sonic Maximizer - are great. I find that the Sonic Maximizer really helps me dial in a tone that sounds good to my ears. The EQ section takes a little getting use to: there is no "flat" setting on the parametric. The bass and treble controls are boosts and the treble is a cut. That's not to say you can't get a flat setting with the unit, but it's not as easy as turning everything to 12 o'clock. There is a dedicated para-mids also. I usually don't touch the basic parametric EQ from gig to gig, but instead tweak to the room with the para-mids section and Sonic Maximizer. As I said in another thread, I usually add presence with my cabinet's horn, rather than EQ it in with the preamp. My bass has a lot of brightness in its natural timbre, and EQing in what the cab colors out may make things sound too bright front of house.
The unit is very hifi and quick sounding. Compared to the SansAmp RBI (which is in the same price-range), it's more modern-sounding. The SansAmp is more SVT-like, and the BBE is more SWR-like. Of course, the SansAmp can add a lot of dirt and grit to your sound, which the BBE can't. The SansAmp is also a bit more versatile. I've been thinking of maybe getting the pedal version of the SansAmp to run in front of the BBE. I've also considered getting the rack-mounted RBI version, and using a switching system to go between the two preamps. I normally wouldn't use the dirty sound, but there are a few songs I wouldn't mind having it for.
There are a few features that I wish the BBE had. The first is I wish it had an XLR out for the power amp. It's not a big gripe, but it was a little bit of a pain to balance the impedance from the preamp's 1/4 inch output to my Crown's XLR inputs. Also, the volume control works for both the balanced and unbalanced outputs. Again, this isn't a big gripe, but I wish that both outputs had their own dedicated level controls. I may want a lot of volume up on stage, but then the soundman may be getting pummeled by an extremly hot signal back at the desk. I usually control my stage volume with the power amp's gain, but I still think that two level controls would be a good idea. Lastly, the unit's DI is post-EQ, no if, ands, or buts. I think that a pre-eq/post-eq button would be a very good idea. Some sound guys understandly want to work with a flat uncolored signal. Why use a DI box if you don't have to?
I'll probaly eventually upgrade. I think that I'd like to either go with an SWR Interstellar Overdrive (or Grand Prix, since they can be had on Ebay so cheap) or a Demeter. I definatly think I want something with a tube in it to warm up the sound. Still to this day, my favorite preamp that I ever played through is an Alembic F-1X. Those things are just so creamy sounding. They're fat but still defined. I don't know why Alembic would ever discontinue them.
Anways, I've rambled enough (I don't know what to do with all this time on my hands since I'm on spring break), so guitar players and bass players, what are your favorite preamps? What preamps are you using? What power amps are you using with them?
