Soldano SLO vs. X99 preamp

[amp maniac]

So I´ve had an SLO for over 10 years and it is one of the best lead amps out there. I´m currently using it slaved as a preamp only with its signal going through a stereo rack into two cabs. I´ve been thinking about adding an X99 preamp to have more different tones available (and storable). There´s not many of them around, but for those who have or played one: how do they stack up against the SLO? It´s supposed to be the preamp section of the SLO, but Soldano says that about the whole range of their products and they do NOT sound identical. So can I get THE SLO tone out of an X99 plus a VHT/Fryette poweramp? The Soldano poweramp would probably the best fit but those are even rarer than the X99 I suppose. Also, what happens if one of the motorized controls break down?

 

[Little B]

Not sure on the x 99..I own a x88 though..Ive also owned a fully modded slo..I can tell you that the my x88 has an insane amount of gain on tap- way more than a head..and all 3 channels are full of killer tone and totally useable.I remember a ways back that Mark Knopler ran slo heads-pre out to tc 2290's for a while.Of course the 99 will give you many tone options- I would either run it into the power section of the slo, or the soldano power amp or a really good tube power amp..I ran my x88 into a vht 2 90 2 for years,then got the the vht 2150 and whoa-never looked back.

 

[supersonic]

I've gigged and owned 3 SLOs' and 2 X99s'. The SLO has more thump is more open fatter and aggressive. The X99 is more smooth polite and a little more polished or processed. I ran my X99s' with both a Soldano SM100 power amp and a VHT 2150, I preferred the VHT. Both the SLO and X99 are excellent, comes down to personal choice. I have never had a break down with a Soldano amp, my advice is to grab an X99 if you can find one.