Sansamp PSA 1 vs PSA 1.1 (hardware)

[JB872]

I searched around and couldn't find a definite answer. Is there a big difference between the new and old versions?

[JB872]

Don't mean to be impatient, but I have to move on this quick. Has anyone here owned both units or done a shootout with the new and old versions to see if they sound the same? And would I be making a mistake picking up the PSA 1.1 rather than a PSA 1.

[Chas3]

When I was researching this, I found numerous comments suggesting that the early model is superior. Of course, there seems to be a general bias in audio favoring older models of anything. Nevertheless I bought a used PSA-1.

[Igotsoul4u]

This may or may not be obvious, but the difference is that one has to travel into the box. The PSA-1 hardware must enter a mic pre and a converter and both will put their flavor into the mix for better or worse. I own both and the software version gets used far more often for the simple fact that its way more convenient and sounds just as good with the right processing.

[JB872]

Originally Posted by Chas3

When I was researching this, I found numerous comments suggesting that the early model is superior. Of course, there seems to be a general bias in audio favoring older models of anything. Nevertheless I bought a used PSA-1.

I read a few posts like this myself, but I was unable to find out why the PSA 1 was superiour to the PSA 1.1. Are they both built the same way with exactly the same parts?

[electricsound]

The Tech21 website cryptically says

"Our popular SansAmp PSA-1 underwent an internal redesign to accommodate the use of improved, more efficient and cost effective parts in order to preserve its original price. "

The newer version has a handful of extra features.. but as I have never used the 1.1 I don't know how they compare.

[TheNewUnknown]

I wondered the same thing, couldn't find any answers and bought the psa 1 and never regretted it
Not sure about the new ones, but the old ones sound great!! Just thought I'd share

[jbjoubaud]

Here's a bump for this old thread.
Anyone made the comparison yet, or just used both ?

By the way it would be used for shit tracks/ghost tracks (to create the song's stucture and feed something to the drummer) and to give something to the musician when we track clean DI tracks to reamp later.
Should I rather get a line 6 pod for this, cause heard the sansam isn't that great when used without an amp and cab ?

(The other use would be to put drums through it)

[slaves666]

I would track bass with my Sansamp PSA-1 before a POD...... True that guitars only sound good when ran through an amp, but I have plenty of amps for that.

From what I know, the older one is better. Don't forget about the bass driver pedal and RBI preamp, both are amazing.

[jbjoubaud]

thanks slave666.
This idea is make to make track that sound fairly good for the musician to play with, but those will be deleted when the reamping process is over... Since a used sansamp is a worth about tree times the price of a used POD (and about 10 times a behringer v-amp), I still hesitate...

[slaves666]

I've used my PSA-1 on many records......it's a killer box. For cost purposes, get the pedal for scratch tracks.

[jbjoubaud]

cool, I'm gonna check those out then. are they "good" for bass as well as for guits ?

[Chas3]

For bass, try the new VST Bass pedal.

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by Igotsoul4u

This may or may not be obvious, but the difference is that one has to travel into the box. The PSA-1 hardware must enter a mic pre and a converter and both will put their flavor into the mix for better or worse. I own both and the software version gets used far more often for the simple fact that its way more convenient and sounds just as good with the right processing.

I think you're talking about hardware vs. plug-in whereas the question was about original hardware box vs. 'new' reissue.

BTW, you don't need a micpreamp for the PSA-1, it IS a preamp. I use it very often for bass and though it might go thru a compressor, it won't benefit from an additional preamp IMO. But I also use and like both the hardware and the software version.

As for the question at hand: I would go for the original PSA-1 because it's a killer box.

[TLTD]

I know this is an old thread but on their PSA-1 page they use the same exact samples so I think it's best to get the old one and save some cash if they don't think it's goo enough to re-record the songs. Either that, or they are so much alike it doesn't matter which one lol.