Anyone using tube preamps on solid state poweramps?

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TedEH

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sometimes even using a single tube
I'm picturing those pedals that would stick a tube in them, but they just lit up and weren't actually in the signal path. I can't remember which ones they were, but I'm reasonable certain they're out there.
 

TheBlackBard

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It's been my experience that a SS preamp into a tube poweramp yields the best results if you're going for a hybrid set-up, IF you still want a warmer feel. Some might want that stiffness if they're playing styles that require a tighter attack.

Not the same principle exactly but there are few tones I've heard more brutal than a Master Effects Misanthrope into the clean channel of my Orange Rockerverb Mark III 100 coming out of a Mesa 4x12, and for an added kick in the ass, my PRS is in Drop D flat with a D-Sonic in the bridge. Just God. Damn.
 

lost_horizon

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Solid state -> tube amp = sevenstring.org sound
(dist pedal) (5150)

I'm picturing those pedals that would stick a tube in them, but they just lit up and weren't actually in the signal path. I can't remember which ones they were, but I'm reasonable certain they're out there.

Blackstar HT-Dual actually makes a good preamp in the effects loop even. Super versatile as well. Has a built in Boost/OD.

I have done HT-Dual into a Torpedo Cab M into a PA and got good results. Then you can just use headphones when practicing.
 

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GÜMERSINDO

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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.
Cool, did you run another tube preamp beside the AMT into the poweramp?
 

Choop

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Maybe I missed it, but which modeler are you using? If it's a capable one I'd recommend maybe getting a Fryette Power Station, or any potential cheap rackable tube power amp if that's a possibility.

My setup lately has been a Fractal Axe II XL+ into a Fryette 2/50/2 -- it feels and sounds real good. I think something like an HX Stomp would be great through a tube power amp, too.
 

GÜMERSINDO

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Maybe I missed it, but which modeler are you using? If it's a capable one I'd recommend maybe getting a Fryette Power Station, or any potential cheap rackable tube power amp if that's a possibility.

My setup lately has been a Fractal Axe II XL+ into a Fryette 2/50/2 -- it feels and sounds real good. I think something like an HX Stomp would be great through a tube power amp, too.
POD Go. Sounds great through powered monitors with the latest cab update. The Power Station is above my budget, but if I´m not mistaken is tube powered, no?
 

Drew

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I'm picturing those pedals that would stick a tube in them, but they just lit up and weren't actually in the signal path. I can't remember which ones they were, but I'm reasonable certain they're out there.
A lot of the ones where it did - or even hybrid amps, for that matter - reside in the signal path, it was just a single tube, and more often than not only a single stage in a cascading gain stage that was otherwise mostly solid state. You don't get Valvestate-levels of gain out of one 12AX7.
 

TedEH

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A lot of the ones where it did - or even hybrid amps, for that matter - reside in the signal path
I've read in some places that it would have minimal impact if at all. I couldn't find it, but I could have sworn I saw a teardown someone did of a pedal that had a tube in it, where it was literally just wired up as a lightbulb. It was entirely placebo. Maybe the in-the-signal path ones are too. I dunno.
 

Choop

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POD Go. Sounds great through powered monitors with the latest cab update. The Power Station is above my budget, but if I´m not mistaken is tube powered, no?

Yeah it is tube powered. It's actually a really versatile tool for recording tube amps, too, but you could use it strictly as a power amp.
 

vidobali

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Hybrid setups can be a great compromise between tube warmth and solid-state practicality. The Victory Kraken pedal sounds promising for that tube amp vibe without the bulk.
 

Drew

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I've read in some places that it would have minimal impact if at all. I couldn't find it, but I could have sworn I saw a teardown someone did of a pedal that had a tube in it, where it was literally just wired up as a lightbulb. It was entirely placebo. Maybe the in-the-signal path ones are too. I dunno.
I mean, a single gain stage in a high gain circuit - and I guess the high gain channels of my Mark V have four gain stages, which is probably a good benchmark - isn't going to do all that much more than look pretty, anyway. Definitely could be a few where the tube is 100% cosmetic, too.
 

Kosthrash

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IIRC a single 12AX7 can provide 2 gain stages, not that it'd make a big difference within a mostly ss circuit...

The hybrid (& inexpensive) Joyo Zombie ii however does sound awesome!
 

Emperoff

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

I've read in some places that it would have minimal impact if at all. I couldn't find it, but I could have sworn I saw a teardown someone did of a pedal that had a tube in it, where it was literally just wired up as a lightbulb. It was entirely placebo. Maybe the in-the-signal path ones are too. I dunno.
The giveaway for tube pedals is power draw. If they're drawing less than 500mA chances are you're being scammed.

I used to have a humming microphonic tube that I used for checking that kind of stuff. If the pedal didn't hum like mad, the tube wasn't doing shit :lol:
 
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Drew

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IIRC a single 12AX7 can provide 2 gain stages, not that it'd make a big difference within a mostly ss circuit...

The hybrid (& inexpensive) Joyo Zombie ii however does sound awesome!
True, I was sort of assuming that one side would be the phase inverter and another a single gain stage, but there's no reason to assume that, I suppose.

Still, a single 12ax7 is still going to give you about as much gain as your typical clean channel even if you run both sides - you can push it into light breakup but no one would confuse it with even a JCM800.
 
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