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i've heard some pretty rave reviews lately. just wondering if anyone here has used them, and for what types of applications. i'm thinking of getting one. they're really affordable.

Me too. One of the Moderators for Tape-Op recomends it for out-performing $500 pre's.

I think I read somewhere that it gets all your mic signals up to line level.

I just spent a couple/few hours on playing around with different preamp tubes in a couple of my amps. The ones I liked the best were JAN 12AX7's, JAN 5751's, and it turned out I had 3 Mullard 12AX7's I didn't even know I had. One was microphonic. the other two got put to use.

The Sovtek 12AX7 and 12AX7WXT+, EH 12AX7, JJ 12AX7, GrooveTubes 12AX7's, and "China" 12AX7's were never the best sounding tube, in the two amps I was setting up. Regardless of sonics, which is what I was listening for, I also tend to believe the hype that the old US and especially UK-made tubes last significantly longer than new-production tubes.

How much gain does a 12AY7 even have? I've heard of using 12AU7's or 12AT7's instead of 12AX7's, but can't recall ever hearing about someone using 12AY7's... Where are you expecting to use it? For the first gain stage, or the PI?

Scott,

B_R is actually asking about a whole mic pre EH is selling under that name--they named it after the operative preamp tube.

I too have heard good things about it on the Tape-Op board, though apparently it's easy to misuse. Also, that enclosure makes me wary--my LPB2ube (awful name) is in the same enclosure, and it's none too sturdy. (Actually I should say both of my LPB2ubes, since I was sent a free one to replace the first one after its chassis went live. They didn't want the first one back, so I fixed it and now have two.)

Maurice wrote:Scott,

B_R is actually asking about a whole mic pre EH is selling under that name--they named it after the operative preamp tube.

D'OH! That's an interesting name choice!

The description sounds good though... phase reverse and phantom power...

Anyone here try one yet?

I've been reading Tape Op and they've referred to the 12ay7 as everything but the second coming of sliced bread. (Or maybe Joel Hamilton DID say that...)

What's up? And why does it look like a goddamned effects pedal?

As Maurice said, I'm very weary of the enclosure.

Seen them on eBay for as little as $125. As it stands, I'd feel better holding on to my cash...

MajorEverettMiller wrote:As Maurice said, I'm very weary of the enclosure.

What went wrong with my LPB2ube was that there was one screw attached to a spacer, which held the PCB up off the bottom of the chassis, apparently without much clearance. When the screw got just loose enough, there was contact. Bad design choice in a pedal that's going to be schlepped from gig to gig.

MajorEverettMiller wrote:Seen them on eBay for as little as $125. As it stands, I'd feel better holding on to my cash...

Now if it's just sitting in the studio, $125 might be a good price for this. At $200 or so list, I'd be reluctant, but at $125 I might consider it.

Maurice wrote:

MajorEverettMiller wrote:Seen them on eBay for as little as $125. As it stands, I'd feel better holding on to my cash...

Now if it's just sitting in the studio, $125 might be a good price for this. At $200 or so list, I'd be reluctant, but at $125 I might consider it.

But I also read on Tape Op (and elsewhere) that they're not really much better than the 2 channel ART MPA Golds (eBay going rate: >$200.) The ARTs look nothing like an effects pedal.

I know I'd be better off saving my money and buying something GOOD. Maybe I'll just go to the track...