Anyone using tube preamps on solid state poweramps?

[GÜMERSINDO]

Hey folks, for quite some time my rig (I´m just another bedroom warrior) has been a modeler through an Orange 100w solid state power amp and a 2x12 cab but lately I´m getting tired of this setup and I´m thinking abut try a Victory Kraken pedal (the preamp version) or a rack format tube preamp through the poweramp.

I know there are many hybrid amplifiers type Valvestate or Randalls, but my concern is about having "flat response" power amp taylored for modelling may lack some depth and sag when I plug just a preamp before making it sound dull and dry. I´m trying to mimic the sound and feel of tube amplifiers but within usable volumes when I play at home.

Do you have previous experience with hybrid setups? Which preamp would you recommed me in that case?
Thanks in advance.

 

[SalsaWood]

You'll want a tube preamp for that, you're correct. All of them will be colorful to your sound, good or bad to taste, but depending on your signal chain won't feel like one. If you have latency I'd address that first or else it still won't actually feel like an amp, it will feel like a computer.

I have a Revv Generator with this ability into an especially near zero latency recording rig, it feels like playing the (tube) amp through my monitors instead of a cab. Except for the IRs needing more work than turning a few knobs, that is. It's superior to a solid state modeller at what it does, but a solid state modeler can do more.

 

[Kosthrash]

Friedman IR-X

 

[budda]

Is it the pedal baby? Thats class AB im pretty sure and meant to colour the sound a little bit like a tube power amp would.

Probably not a bad option to get something with quality power amp modelling vs a total overhaul - unless you want to overhaul

 

[GÜMERSINDO]

Is it the pedal baby? Thats class AB im pretty sure and meant to colour the sound a little bit like a tube power amp would.

Probably not a bad option to get something with quality power amp modelling vs a total overhaul - unless you want to overhaul

Yes, Pedal Baby 100W, it has a post EQ feature, but I´m not sure If it will add enough color and tube character to the preamp.

At this point I´m not keen to invest in expensive modelling stuff as It gets outdated within a few years, in that case I will buy a full tube amp and a loadbox/ attenuator.

 

[GÜMERSINDO]

Friedman IR-X

I´m between this or Kraken, or maybe look in the used market for an Engl rack preamp.

 

[budda]

Yes, Pedal Baby 100W, it has a post EQ feature, but I´m not sure If it will add enough color and tube character to the preamp.

At this point I´m not keen to invest in expensive modelling stuff as It gets outdated within a few years, in that case I will buy a full tube amp and a loadbox/ attenuator.

And tube amps arent outdated?

Buy a fractal unit, be done.

 

[GÜMERSINDO]

And tube amps arent outdated?

Buy a fractal unit, be done.

Haha, 2203 or Block Letters not only keep value, are increasing over the years.

Honestly, for way less money than a fractal unit or Neural I could buy a 5150 80w head+Torpedo Captor and I couldn´t be happier... but my inquire is if anyone had success pairing a tube preamp with a SS Power section.

 

[TedEH]

I used to use a tube pre + SS power amp for bass. I know it's not the same, but for what it's worth, I ended up swapping out that rig for digital because despite tubes in the preamp, it still felt stiff.

 

[budda]

Haha, 2203 or Block Letters not only keep value, are increasing over the years.

Honestly, for way less money than a fractal unit or Neural I could buy a 5150 80w head+Torpedo Captor and I couldn´t be happier... but my inquire is if anyone had success pairing a tube preamp with a SS Power section.

Eh dont confuse asking with selling prices. Those amps have only rose with inflation. Other used gear has seen the same rise in price.

I own a 5150, 1975 superlead and axe3. The axe is the thing i wouldnt sell. Ymmv.

The ss power section is the thing giving you an issue if the device feeding it doesnt have power amp shaping options.

 

[GÜMERSINDO]

I used to use a tube pre + SS power amp for bass. I know it's not the same, but for what it's worth, I ended up swapping out that rig for digital because despite tubes in the preamp, it still felt stiff.

That´s my main worry... it was a an hybrid amplifier or just pieces of gear assembled?

 

[GÜMERSINDO]

Eh dont confuse asking with selling prices. Those amps have only rose with inflation. Other used gear has seen the same rise in price.

I own a 5150, 1975 superlead and axe3. The axe is the thing i wouldnt sell. Ymmv.

The ss power section is the thing giving you an issue if the device feeding it doesnt have power amp shaping options.

You´re right, we´re living weird times, maybe in a few years sellers will be demanding shitloads of money for a POD bean or any cheapo practice amp type Vypyr....

Of course, any modeller has the power amp emulation feature that a simple preamp lacks, that´s why I´m not 100% committed to buy a preamp for that purpose.

 

[budda]

Im saying not all modellers are created equal, hence the fractal suggestion.

 

[TedEH]

it was a an hybrid amplifier or just pieces of gear assembled?

Assembled. It was an SVT-IIP and Crown XLS paired together. It didn't sound bad by any stretch, but it did not "feel" tube-y. I ended up doing what budda suggested. Went with fractal.

 

[Kosthrash]

You may also try a 5150 Iconic head (with your cab).

 

[GÜMERSINDO]

You may also try a 5150 Iconic head (with your cab).

I don´t rule out this option, given the price, is tempting. My only worry if I can tame the volume because is gonna be played only in my house, I don´t have a reherasal place at the moment.

 

[The Monster With .]

I have an Orange pedal baby 100 that sounds great with preamps run into it, ss or tube. Interestingly, I have an AMT solid state R2, as well as their tube R/S (both rectifier derived preamps), and I prefer the solid state R2.

 

[Drew]

I used to use a tube pre + SS power amp for bass. I know it's not the same, but for what it's worth, I ended up swapping out that rig for digital because despite tubes in the preamp, it still felt stiff.

To be honest, I've always thought a solid state preamp into a tube poweramp made more sense. When people think of the "tube sound" and start talking about things like "sag" and "give" and "depth" and the "feel" of a tube amp, I think a lot more of that is going to be coming out of the power amp than the preamp, partiuclarly for high gain sounds.

A solid state preamp coupled with something like a Mesa 20/20 would be pretty interesting, I'd think. Marshall even did this briefly, I don't remember the exact model I'm thinking of but google suggests the Artist series.

 

[Kosthrash]

To be honest, I've always thought a solid state preamp into a tube poweramp made more sense. When people think of the "tube sound" and start talking about things like "sag" and "give" and "depth" and the "feel" of a tube amp, I think a lot more of that is going to be coming out of the power amp than the preamp, partiuclarly for high gain sounds.

A solid state preamp coupled with something like a Mesa 20/20 would be pretty interesting, I'd think. Marshall even did this briefly, I don't remember the exact model I'm thinking of but google suggests the Artist series.

I think this was the case with the Peavey Vypyr Tube 60 (solid state transtube preamp into 6L6 poweramp), I wonder why this amazing amp is discontinued...

 

[Drew]

I think this was the case with the Peavey Vypyr Tube 60 (solid state transtube preamp into 6L6 poweramp), I wonder why this amazing amp is discontinued...

For some reason - maybe the prevalence of distortion pedals promising a "tube-like feel" and sometimes even using a single tube as part of an otherwise solid state gain stage? - this is what customers think they want, a tube preamp, and if it's mated with a solid state power amp that's both cheaper and "more bedroom friendly."

If I had any interest at all in building another rig, I might try to do a rack with some sort of solid state pre and a 20/20, but as it is I have a Mark-V and a Roadster and all I ever play through is the Mark...