molan Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Thinking about adding an active circuit to my DJ and a lot of US users recommend the Audere. Just wondered whether anyone had one fitted and/or had been able to test one against a J-Retro? The Audere retails at $149 in the US so quite a good price really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 [quote name='molan' post='318711' date='Oct 30 2008, 10:55 PM']Thinking about adding an active circuit to my DJ and a lot of US users recommend the Audere. Just wondered whether anyone had one fitted and/or had been able to test one against a J-Retro? The Audere retails at $149 in the US so quite a good price really.[/quote] Personal preference really. I think the East is better personally but thousands would disagree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISDABASS Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 [quote name='EBS_freak' post='318712' date='Oct 30 2008, 10:57 PM']Personal preference really. I think the East is better personally but thousands would disagree.[/quote] i'd say the j-retro by a mile!!!!! ive had both preamps, the audere was just noisy to the point where i picked up russian radio and it was pretty odd sounding too! the j-retro on the other hand was very pleasant, musical and it had loads of different sound options! each of them very usable. thats just my experience (i'd still probably get a sadowsky on board pre though if i were you ) by the way im looking forward to getting that trace off you mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deksawyer Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 I've compared them back to back and the Audere did it for me. Much more variation in tone - the z switch is pretty damn good. Similar build quality, no noise problems with either. Both are good but the East lacked extremes of tonal variation, in other words was a bit too polite (for me at least, I can still understand why it is highly regarded). The Audere has variation in spades. Both used with Bartolini 9J1's. I regret selling mine - I have an AC Guitars EQ 02 and although I've only played with it for an hour or so, I'm a bit dissapointed in that as well. But I'm prepared to put a bit more time into that to see if it is suitable for my needs. Time will tell! D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 (edited) No experience of East but i loved the Audere i had, very quiet even with a set of dark star single coils. The z mode switch is the killer feature, i set mine up so in low z mode it had more gain towards the neck pickup, instant reggae heaven! To be honest if i built a bass i would be wary of buying the east in case i wanted another Audere! Why not be daring and have a look at the ACG filter based pre? Edited October 31, 2008 by steve-norris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 (edited) [quote name='deksawyer' post='318772' date='Oct 31 2008, 01:45 AM']I regret selling mine - I have an AC Guitars EQ 02 and although I've only played with it for an hour or so, I'm a bit dissapointed in that as well. But I'm prepared to put a bit more time into that to see if it is suitable for my needs. Time will tell![/quote] Bit surprised by that dude. I spent a while at Alan's last weekend messing around with his EQ01 on a variety of basses and I was extremely impressed. The variety of sounds on offer might be a little daunting, however I'd rather have too many than just a couple. I'd hang in there with it Dek, it'll probably take a little longer to familiarise yourself but I guarantee it'll be worth the effort. Just my 2p. Cheers, Eude EDITED: as I can't read properly... Edited October 31, 2008 by eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayFW Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 If you buy a J Retro not only will you get a fantastic sounding pre but you will also get the absolute best in customer service should you need it. John sent me the parts to fit my J Retro into my Lakland DJ4 for free - The man is a star and deserves your business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plumbob Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 (edited) [quote name='rayfw' post='318934' date='Oct 31 2008, 11:56 AM']If you buy a J Retro not only will you get a fantastic sounding pre but you will also get the absolute best in customer service should you need it. John sent me the parts to fit my J Retro into my Lakland DJ4 for free - The man is a star and deserves your business.[/quote] Yeh 2nd that John is a top bloke , got him to fit one of his Marcus Retro's to my Miller bass , the other month , and love it , almost a Swiss Army Knife of tone's ! Just noticed you are in Henley on thames , John is probably less than an hour from you by the way. Edited October 31, 2008 by plumbob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deksawyer Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 [quote name='rayfw' post='318934' date='Oct 31 2008, 11:56 AM']If you buy a J Retro not only will you get a fantastic sounding pre but you will also get the absolute best in customer service should you need it. John sent me the parts to fit my J Retro into my Lakland DJ4 for free - The man is a star and deserves your business.[/quote] Yes, I'd agree with that as well. John was kind enough to loan me a J-Retro for a few weeks last year which I was very grateful for. We chatted for ages on the phone and he seems to be a great guy! [quote name='eude']Bit surprised by that dude. I spent a while at Alan's last weekend messing around with his EQ01 on a variety of basses and I was extremely impressed. The variety of sounds on offer might be a little daunting, however I'd rather have too many than just a couple.[/quote] Well, I'm a Wal user and the tones available, as you probably know, are pretty much endless. As I said, I've not had a chance to fully play with the EQ 02 since I sold my amp/cabs a few weeks ago and my new TecAmp stuff hasn't arrived, so I'm probably jumping the gun a bit by saying I'm not impressed so I'll glady retract that statement - I'll leave judgement for when I do actually use it more. The EQ 01 is a different beast and I'd prefer one, but I'd have to buy one of Alans basses (apart from financing one, is not a problem I can assure you - I'd love a left handed 4 string "Lazarus"!!) D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnylager Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 EBS if you can get one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Not tried the Audere, but have tried the J-Retro, ACG Filter, and Sadowsky pre-amps. In the end it's all down to what you want sound-wise and any recommendation we give is meaningless and less you like the same sound as the recommender. For me it's ACG Filter all the way. The J-Retro's good but doesn't really do anything a decent amp can, and the Sadowsky basses sounded better in passive mode than with the pre-amp engaged. All personal taste YMMV etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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