TC Electronic Minis vs Rocktron Intellifex

[Blackmore]

An original black Intellifex is on its way to me for use in my IIC+'s loop. Since purchasing this particular amp, I've been using a HOF mini & a Flashback mini in the loop, and have little complaint.

In terms of sheer tone, is the Intellifex going to be a down/sidegrade?

 

[Dave L]

The Intellifex is very good at chorus and flanging and does delays pretty well. I wouldn´t use it for reverb, though, and if you want delay and reverb at the same time you´re limited to configurations that have max 420 ms delay time. So yeah, people tend to use it for the modulation FX.

You´re in luck that it has analog dry mix, however, since most rack units from that time would be tone suckers if stuck in a serial loop instead of in a proper parallel set-up or aux loop.

 

[Racerxrated]

Not sure what kind of loop is in my Jubilee but obviously its antiquated being from '87. I use an Intellifex and it sounded average...but then I picked up 2 balanced TSR cables and total transparency. Crazy but true...maybe tsr cables will improve the loop in your 2C with the intellifex. I know when I had a MKIII and I used regular cables the loop was a tone sucker. I have a 2C/C+ coming so I'll find out myself. I'm not sure about the comparison between the 2 units...but using those cables transformed my use of the unit. I thought everything had to be balanced for TSR cables to make a difference? A pair of these cables were cheap, like 12 bucks...lol

 

[Dave L]

There almost has to have been something else going on, I don´t know how using balanced TRS cabling between unbalanced TS ins and outs would make a difference since nothing would connect to the conductor for the inverted signal on the ring. Maybe just an upgrade in the overall quality of the cables? Interesting, in any case!

 

[srommes]

One thing to keep in mind with the Intellifex is that you need to set the mixer to "pre" before the Hush and not use the Hush. This will keep your signal path pure analog and will not degrade your tone.

 

[SFW]

There almost has to have been something else going on, I don´t know how using balanced TRS cabling between unbalanced TS ins and outs would make a difference since nothing would connect to the conductor for the inverted signal on the ring. Maybe just an upgrade in the overall quality of the cables? Interesting, in any case!

I've done the same thing with my 5153 and TC G-Major 2. It does make a difference. And yes, I had quality cables before I switched to TRS cables.

 

[Dave L]

Is that so? Never heard that before, but I suppose you learn something every day

 

[Racerxrated]

There almost has to have been something else going on, I don´t know how using balanced TRS cabling between unbalanced TS ins and outs would make a difference since nothing would connect to the conductor for the inverted signal on the ring. Maybe just an upgrade in the overall quality of the cables? Interesting, in any case!

I've done the same thing with my 5153 and TC G-Major 2. It does make a difference. And yes, I had quality cables before I switched to TRS cables.

It was your post that made me look into this. $12 later I have a transparent loop in a 1987 Marshall. Looking forward to trying it in a 1983 Mesa. No idea why or how, but I'll take it!

 

[Blackmore]

Well my Intellifex evidently suffers from a volume drop issue, so it's going back. It's a very cool device, but frankly, the TC pedals sound a little bit better in a hifi sense (although I'm not sure if I prefer the sound).

More importantly, the TRS cables made a huge difference. Absolutely huge. Definitely recommend.