Tone King Imperial Preamp

[jzgtrguy]

Hi has anyone heard of this or is anyone using it?

Here's a link:

I've been using a Fractal Audio digital modeling products for a while, currently using the FM9. It's deep and I get sucked into editing too much so I'm looking for a simpler solution. I don't need 350 amps. I'm only looking for a few sounds. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[cmajor9]

I’ve certainly heard of it, but its just starting to become available here. I have an original Metropolitan combo, so I’ll be interested to compare when I can try one out.

[mrichman]

I have one and it is the best thing I've heard (and used) for direct recording or through a powered speaker for live. Easy to use, no menus to get lost in, feels like a tube amp. Obviously not as flexible as a Fractal.Kemper or Line 6 stuff but for a plug and play tube amp feel it works perfectly ... if you like the Tone King Imperial amp of course, which I do.

[Jimmy Mack]

Does it work if you plug it into a basic amp, a Princeton Reverb? Would I be happy keeping just one tube amp instead of the 3 I love and hate to part with, and letting the Imperial Pre-amp gratify my tonal wishes???
I really miss my 1960 DeArmond which was akin to a Fender Tweed Deluxe, but sold it because it was worth too much cash, but what a sound it had.

[callouscallus]

I think it would work plugged into the front end of a princeton, but there is no way to avoid the fact you are plugging in a preamp to another preamp. The sound will be altered a bit.

[Jimmy Mack]

So can this work better if plugged into a Send/Return efx loop, bypassing the amp's Pre-amp section?

[gitman]

I recently picked up an all-analog "Simplifier DLX" preamp made in Chile of all places and I am VERY happy : whether it's plugged into my BUD (between guitar and amp OR straight into the power amp return) or my active ALTO monitor OR into my (also new) BOSE S1 pro monitor I can easily dial in a fat, warm, absolutely natural and "real-amp-like" sound at any volume level.
The unit has many knobs and switches but the learning curve is nothing in comparison with my Helix stomp and other digital devices. The EQ is effective, I can switch on or off a speaker simulation (complete with a choice of 3 different cabs and varying resonance + mic-placement) and it's got a stereo fx-loop. The built-in reverb sound great, I do not miss anything and for the money it's the best I've found so far. No tubes , no noise/hiss, small and light weight, a great piece of gear and highly recommended.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

So can this work better if plugged into a Send/Return efx loop, bypassing the amp's Pre-amp section?

"Better" is a judgment call. It's designed to be connected to the amp's input as well as the loop I & O. There are 3 jacks on it labeled "to amp in", "from amp send", and "to amp return", and the only way to use it as extra channels for your amp is this 3 cord hookup. The effects loop has to be in series with the signal chain to sound right. If there's any dry signal going through the loop (i.e. wired partially or completely parallel), the pedal will not sound right and should not be used - see the website for further details.

If it's only plugged into the amp's input. It works like any other effects pedal used at the input. It should sound pretty much the same as it does through the loop input with any and all EQ in the amp set flat. There may be some interaction with the preamp circuit in the guitar amp. But the amp's EQ and any other features in the preamp section will affect the TKIP's output. Only you can decide whether it sounds better or worse that way.

It appears to have been designed to work through a guitar amp's speaker. I expected it to be intended primarily for power amps and FRFR speakers, given its IR sims. Using your amp's effects loop does bypass the internal peamp, but you're still using a guitar cab and speaker with its own colorations and limitations. That has to affect the simulations to some degree.

[EastwoodMike]

I recently picked up an all-analog "Simplifier DLX" preamp made in Chile of all places and I am VERY happy : whether it's plugged into my BUD (between guitar and amp OR straight into the power amp return) or my active ALTO monitor OR into my (also new) BOSE S1 pro monitor I can easily dial in a fat, warm, absolutely natural and "real-amp-like" sound at any volume level.
The unit has many knobs and switches but the learning curve is nothing in comparison with my Helix stomp and other digital devices. The EQ is effective, I can switch on or off a speaker simulation (complete with a choice of 3 different cabs and varying resonance + mic-placement) and it's got a stereo fx-loop. The built-in reverb sound great, I do not miss anything and for the money it's the best I've found so far. No tubes , no noise/hiss, small and light weight, a great piece of gear and highly recommended.

Love that guys’s playing!
I have the DSM Simplifier Mk2 which is the smaller version of that one. About the size of a boss pedal, all analogue except the reverb, and needs 150 mA. Despite the jokes about a pedal called simplifier having so many knobs, it is surprisingly easy and intuitive to use.