BAD SLO-Rack as Power Amp

[Rackman]

I'm currently running a X88-IR into a much older SM-100R for a power amp:

I'm wondering whether instead of running into the SM-100R I might be better off with a BAD SLO-Rack. Same size, presumably similar weight. I wouldn't mind gaining the deep switch - not sure if I'd use it or not. The two additional preamp channels would also be appealing.

For anyone who's run a preamp - especially the X-88IR - into the BAD SLO loop return, how does it sound?

Also, is there some recommended way to integrate the X-88IR with a SLO just using the X88-IR's MIDI capability rather than a 3rd party switcher? It seems like the SLO's loop switch could bring it in/out, but then I would have no way to run FX on the SLO's channels. The X88-IR has a loop, but I'm not seeing any reference to it being switchable.

Maybe this is just a bad idea, but I'm curious what people have tried.

 

[Dave L]

I would not consider making that switch, unless you really, really want to loop in those extra channels. And even then I would probably get another X88IR first. The SM100 is unbelievably rare and is the original SLO power section straight up, much-vaunted Deyoungs and all. I have not played the new Soldanos and can´t comment on them, but I think you would be hard-pressed to find concrete evidence that the power section of the new SLO sounds markedly better than the old one - which should be the primary question here. The SM presumably is at least 30 years old by now, though, so I suppose it might be up for recaps and such eventually.

With that said, the new SLOs should at least work better with external preamps than the old ones did, since they moved the loop so the return doesn´t feed thru the tonestack.

 

[Jack Luminous]

Please let me know if you plan to get rid of the SM-100 ! I will make an offer.

 

[cardinal]

I've no idea, but I love your rack and like the way you think haha. More is more!

 

[Rackman]

Please let me know if you plan to get rid of the SM-100 ! I will make an offer.

I'm not currently planning to sell but if I do I will put it on the classifieds here and send you a PM.

I would not consider making that switch, unless you really, really want to loop in those extra channels. And even then I would probably get another X88IR first. The SM100 is unbelievably rare and is the original SLO power section straight up, much-vaunted Deyoungs and all. I have not played the new Soldanos and can´t comment on them, but I think you would be hard-pressed to find concrete evidence that the power section of the new SLO sounds markedly better than the old one - which should be the primary question here. The SM presumably is at least 30 years old by now, though, so I suppose it might be up for recaps and such eventually.

With that said, the new SLOs should at least work better with external preamps than the old ones did, since they moved the loop so the return doesn´t feed thru the tonestack.

Yeah I'm aware it's the OG power section. And it sounds quite good. I'm sure it will eventually need a cap job but it doesn't sound like it yet. Part of this though is I'm not eager to haul unique gear around to gigs. I'm surprised they didn't re-issue the SM-100R once they A) had a preamp and B) had a rack SLO chassis as it would presumably be a very easy board to make and everything else is already available.

 

[Jack Luminous]

I'm not currently planning to sell but if I do I will put it on the classifieds here and send you a PM.

Thanks !

 

[alund]

I’ve been meaning to connect my X99 and my Myasnikov X88 to my Soldano SM 100R and my SLO100 return and do an a/b as you are thinking. Only because some say a dedicated amp/head has something that the isolated pre- and poweramp lose tonally- would be nice to know. Recently, I have been learning a new recording system (UA) and now I have a sick family member so I’ve been neglecting some projects.
Anyway…. I personally would have the preamp (X88 output) go into an fx unit of choice (eventide), then out of it to the return input of fx loop on the SLO of choice (rack/head/poweramp). I can think of some ways to control them with midi BUT I would start with the tonal character first, then figure out how to control them later. I would also have no fx initially to start and just a/b the head vs pre/power vs pre/head power. They could sound identical or so close that it doesn’t make much difference.

Couple things to think about;

2 signals out of that eventide, one dry and one wet, or both dry when fiddling with tones.

Two places to add fx- between the pre and power and in the actual fx loop of the pre. Might be same though. Don’t know if the eventide as you have shown would be different in the X88 loop or between the pre and poweramp.

I personally could fiddle with this setup for hours.

I think I would have my dry core tone as the X88 with some sort of Soldano power with no fx and then the second signal (wet) from the X88 to the eventide (plate/micropitch) then into my Powerstation (line level) and have the fx loop from the Powerstation (PS100) as an additional group of fx (verb/delay or whatever) during solo.

 

[Dave L]

I'm not currently planning to sell but if I do I will put it on the classifieds here and send you a PM.

Yeah I'm aware it's the OG power section. And it sounds quite good. I'm sure it will eventually need a cap job but it doesn't sound like it yet. Part of this though is I'm not eager to haul unique gear around to gigs. I'm surprised they didn't re-issue the SM-100R once they A) had a preamp and B) had a rack SLO chassis as it would presumably be a very easy board to make and everything else is already available.

Yeah, not schlepping vintage gear around is also a very valid point. And well, they barely made the SM100 to begin with, Mike always said there wasn´t much point since the VHT 2150 (and I guess the 2/90/2 later) was out there already and huge and expensive mono power amps probably is a tough sell in any weather. I suppose rack doesn´t always mean stereo, at least not these days, but I have to think that a bigger manufacturing company like BAD isn´t fond of doing the set-up for making smaller niche runs.

 

[Rackman]

I had a 2150 for a while and never got it to sound good. I honestly wonder if something was subtly wrong with mine because a lot of players I respect have gotten excellent results from them. I have a Fryette LXII I like as well.

I've always done my rigs in mono - I've never been a big chorus or split pitch shifting user, and the guitar has always just sounded like a point source instrument to me.