Reviewer Steve Schneck
Manufacturer Alembic
Model F-1X Preamp
Price Paid $500

Dimensions 1 rack space
EQ Volume; passive treble, mid, & bass; bright switch; deep switch
Other DI out, variable frequency crossover
This is an extraodinary, simple tube preamp. The sound is clean, loud and "pure". The harshness of my graphite axes disappear when playing through this pre. The unEQ'd sound is very round, and sounds like an old Fender tube amp (which I believe is by design).

Although I've always been impressed with the sound (it's blown away any preamp I've every A/B'd it against), the EQ just hasn't given me enough flexibility in a live situation. The tone is "warm" and clear, but doesn't cut real well through a rock band mix(too bassy, not enough midrange). My solution was to purchase a used Rane parametric and make minor EQ adjustments. This made a WORLD of difference. Now I truely couldn't be happier with the sound.

This is a preamp that I believe lives up to all of the hype.

Construction 100%
Clarity 100%
Tone 100%
Value 95%
Overall 100%
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