Hamptone Tube Pre Dilemma

ljt · 16th June 2006

Scott's pre's are very well respected and sound great. But I have a dilemma to question you about. If you had the chance to pickup a (1997) Hamton Silverbox II for $1199 used, or a new HVTP2 with the upgraded step attenuators at roughly the same price new, which would you choose? My goals is to create warm, defined vox and acoustic instrument tracks with my DAW.

Here's what Fletcher says about the Silverbox II: "I don't think I've used that particular unit... but the Hamptone 'Silverbox' I used once was absolutely phenomenal sounding!!!" http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=24396

Here's a link to the Silverbox at the Hamptone web site: http://www.hamptone.com/mic-pre's.htm

Thanks for your input!!

Jeff

C/G · 16th June 2006

Someone is selling a nice used Hamptone HVTP2 with stepped attenuators on the classifieds right now for $850. I just saved you $300.

ljt · 16th June 2006

Hah! Money is a factor, indeed. However, what about the comparison to the the Silverbox II? Jensen transformers, only 30 ever made. Seems compelling to me.

Jeff

C/G · 16th June 2006

Give Hampton a call and I'm sure they will tell you everything you need to know. My suspicion is the older Silverbox is what he offered as a complete unit before he sold kits, and the HVTP2 can be bought from him already made as well. I could be wrong but a phone call could clear everything up.

ljt · 16th June 2006

I did give Scott a call. He's at the TapeOp DIY conference in Tuscon teaching a class. I'll talk with him (hopefully) before I make a final decision in the next day or two.

Thanks,

Jeff

ajfarber · 16th June 2006

I'm thinking of buying the HVTP2 so go ahead and get the silverbox.

ljt · 16th June 2006

Wow! That was quick!! Looks like I'll just have to *suffer* with the Silverbox IIthumbsup

ajfarber · 16th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljt

Wow! That was quick!! Looks like I'll just have to *suffer* with the Silverbox IIthumbsup

I have to figure out how to but the thing without the wife finding out. If someone bought it first it would actually make my life easier.

All seriousness aside, any Hamptone is as good as a Fearn or Pendulum and at half the price, probably the best value in pro audio.

ljt · 16th June 2006

Hah! I won't touch the wife situation

, but I have lost sleep over what to buy. I have the Pendulum SPS-1 preamp that I use with my handmade Olson Guitar (one advantage of living in Minnesota, I guess). The Pendulum stuff is awesome, but Scott has really tapped into a critical niche with putting together 'workman like' kits that make the high-end mic pres available to mere mortals. I really like Greg Galteri at Pendulum and think he runs a solid shop. I just don't have the cash to be a full-fledged member in his club when it comes to mic pres. I will likely turn to Scott when it comes time to compress and see if he's making progress on him tube mic kits.

Oh, it just occured to me that I may have a way for you to appeal to your wife! Perhaps you can tell your wife that you've been divinely inspired to write some wonderful LOVE SONGS, and she is the main theme in them. Write out a couple, sing them to her, and explain that the power of your love will be most accurately channeled through *JUST* the right tube driven preamp!

JT

16th June 2006	#1
ljt Gear Head Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 73 Thread Starter	Hamptone Tube Pre Dilemma Scott's pre's are very well respected and sound great. But I have a dilemma to question you about. If you had the chance to pickup a (1997) Hamton Silverbox II for $1199 used, or a new HVTP2 with the upgraded step attenuators at roughly the same price new, which would you choose? My goals is to create warm, defined vox and acoustic instrument tracks with my DAW. Here's what Fletcher says about the Silverbox II: "I don't think I've used that particular unit... but the Hamptone 'Silverbox' I used once was absolutely phenomenal sounding!!!" http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=24396 Here's a link to the Silverbox at the Hamptone web site: http://www.hamptone.com/mic-pre's.htm Thanks for your input!! Jeff

16th June 2006	#2
C/G Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,829	Someone is selling a nice used Hamptone HVTP2 with stepped attenuators on the classifieds right now for $850. I just saved you $300. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------

16th June 2006	#3
ljt Gear Head Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 73 Thread Starter	Yes but... Hah! Money is a factor, indeed. However, what about the comparison to the the Silverbox II? Jensen transformers, only 30 ever made. Seems compelling to me. Jeff

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16th June 2006	#6
ajfarber Lives for gear Join Date: May 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 699	I'm thinking of buying the HVTP2 so go ahead and get the silverbox.

16th June 2006	#9
ljt Gear Head Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 73 Thread Starter	Hah! I won't touch the wife situation , but I have lost sleep over what to buy. I have the Pendulum SPS-1 preamp that I use with my handmade Olson Guitar (one advantage of living in Minnesota, I guess). The Pendulum stuff is awesome, but Scott has really tapped into a critical niche with putting together 'workman like' kits that make the high-end mic pres available to mere mortals. I really like Greg Galteri at Pendulum and think he runs a solid shop. I just don't have the cash to be a full-fledged member in his club when it comes to mic pres. I will likely turn to Scott when it comes time to compress and see if he's making progress on him tube mic kits. Oh, it just occured to me that I may have a way for you to appeal to your wife! Perhaps you can tell your wife that you've been divinely inspired to write some wonderful LOVE SONGS, and she is the main theme in them. Write out a couple, sing them to her, and explain that the power of your love will be most accurately channeled through JUST the right tube driven preamp! JT