Eden Navigator Preamp

I bought this preamp for the killer tone and versatile DI routing options. The other main consideration was having an onboard compressor. I use the Recording DI output to send a regulated level to the sound board...post compressor...and pre-EQ. It has improved the band sound dramatically.

Tone for days. The EQ is extremely powerful. Just one small click in either direction and you have a substantial amount of adjustment. My settings are mostly flat...with some attenuation depending on the room I'm in. I don't plan on using the crossover...

I'm playing a 5 string Yamaha TRB tuned down a half step. The low end, especially on the B string, can get carried away. By using the compressor plus some low end boost on the EQ, I'm able to achieve a super solid low end that doesn't rumble too much off the stage.

The main output can add some noise and hiss -- so it's important to have all of the other settings adjusted properly. It took me a few minutes right out of the box -- but I easily got everything adjusted properly with a minimal amount of noise. This thing is hot!

It also sounds killer with my Barbera and Fishman Full Circle - equipped upright. I normally use a smaller rig for acoustic jazz gigs, but the upright into the Navigator and my larger amp rig is a joy to play -- especially on louder concert shows and dance jobs.

This unit is realtively new -- so far so good. I do plan on logging about 200 gigs this year -- so I'll write back if the unit doesn't hold up!

I ended up speaking with the owner right before I purchased the unit. I had some questions regarding the operating levels of the equipment. Eden had all sorts of useful suggestions when setting up the preamp and expressed gratitude for my purchasing the product. I have owned other Eden products before -- and they have been helpful in the past as well.

I've been a pro bass player for twenty years now. In that time I've been through a lot of gear! I currently use the Navigator preamp with a Crown K1 amp (1,000 watts at 8 Ohms) into an SWR Goliath III 4x10 cabinet. With this rig I play mostly Rock and Blues with a regularly working bar and club band. The tone is rock solid, tons of low end and clarity too. Makes my bass sound much more expensive!

I've been wanting one of these for many years now -- so glad I finally made the purchase -- would certainly buy another if stolen. Couldn't live without the compressor!

I was using another awesome preamp -- the Aguilar DB680 tube pre. I was very happy with the sound of it -- but wished it had a compressor. I also became concerned I would have to deal with expensive tube replacement and maintenance, so I decided to go with the Navigator. Cool lights too...

This preamp has many features, including compressor, limiter, semi parametric eq, user controlled di level, tube character, enhance, and more inputs and outputs than I could ever use. I really like the enhace feature, which is foot switchable, along with mute, compressor bypass, and turbo boost. With the enhance, you can go from a nice flat response to a scooped mid, modern tone with the footswitch. I play a musicman sterling, and I love this feature to be able to switch between a funky vintage tone and a modern hi-fi tone.

This preamp fits my style perfectly. I am running it through a carvin 1500 watt power amplifier into an SWR megoliath 8x10 cabinet. What a sweet tone! I am currently in a punk band, but I switch between fast rhythms and funk style bass lines. This thing is perfect for that. It really lets the true character of my musicman shine through. Its true, the turbo boost is a little too much, but everybody can definitely hear me when I am soloing. I really like the fact that the DI level is user controllable. If I don't think the sound guy is giving me enough in the mix, I can just bump it up a little bit myself. I also do a little recording on the side for classical and jazz compositions. I can get whatever tone I want from this preamp.

I think this thing is very reliable. Its american made, has a 2 year warranty. I've only had it a year, but have had absolutely no problems with it.

Don't know, never had any problems.

I've been playing since I was in third grade. Thats about 15 years. I used to play on an SWR 750X, and the power and versatility of this preamp definitely exceeds that of the SWR. I have been trying to perfect my tone for the last couple of years, and I can surely acheive it with this preamp. The only thing I wish was that the turbo boost was not so powerful. Other than that, this preamp suits me perfectly.

Some of the noteable features on this preamp are the excellent compressor, biamp capability, and more routing options that most players will ever use. This preamp easily gets a 10 as I have not come across a preamp with more quality features.

Simply the best sounding preamp I have ever played. Granted, I made a large jump up from my last preamp which was a Peavey MAX preamp. The first time I plugged in onstage, the FOH soundman came up to note that this preamp was one of the best he has heard after many years in the business. The EQ section is incredibly powerful only requiring small adjustments to make a dramatic difference in the sound.

It is worthy to note that playing on the MAX preamp through the same rig, I thought I was going to need 500 more watts and an 18" speaker to get the sound I was looking for. Switching to the Eden solved every problem I had with my sound. The tone is indredibly deep and rich.

Only one problem... As another reviewer mentioned below, the turbo boost is a bit too powerful for real world use. My drummer plays with in ears and anytime I punch in the turbo, I am accused of being "in his head". A little less boost to simply inch the bass forward in the overall FOH mix would be fantastic and very useful.

I've gigged without a backup at least 10 nights a month for the last year with this preamp and have no reason to believe that it will fail. It has yet to skip a beat.

Have had no reason to deal with customer support. No opinion.

Bought in June '04, my Navigator was bought after Eden was bought out by US Music (Randall). I had some concerns about this when purchasing, but they have proven to be unfounded. This has been a great preamp and I would buy it again without a doubt. It is a bit pricey, but is reasonable compared to some of the other boutique preamps out there. Thats when you go to eBay!

I am not going to list all the features that you can easily read off the website, but i'll tell you what I think of them......the compression is nice. It does a good job of letting you crank your power amp. Enhancer is a bit noisy. I perfer a BBE. The EQ section is amazing. If you mess with it long enough, you can dial in any tone imaginable.

Very clean sound. That's why you buy an Eden. Very low noise DI. Great for the studio and any live situation. If you pair this thing with the right amp and set of speakers (i also recomend Eden for that), it is bar none, the most versatile, best sounding bass rig you could possibley have. If you try it and you don't absolutely love it, you probably just don't know how to use it yet. Most people go with the Eden WT800 because it is all in one. For the same price, you can buy a Navigator and a more powerful power amp. The Navigator is the Granddaddy of all bass preamp sound.

I have owned two Navigator's. One had a problem with the DI section buzzing after a power surge semi-fried some rack gear. I sent it in and it was not only fixd, but updated for free. The other one was dropped off a truck by Fedex and dented at the corner. The thing still works like new.

Very good communicators. I talk to them often via email and telephone.

I will never be without one. I use it every day. It navigates me through 160 shows a year and constant studio sessions. Enough said.

I bought it new in '97 and have had no problems with it. I think it's the pre amp section for the wt-800 but I'm not sure. It has more features than most (and I) need, everything from compression to post and pre eq, enhance, tune mute, vol. boost, d.i. out, etc.

I use a Spector NS-5 and a Spector Korean 5, both with EMG highz active pickups. I play a mix of Death and aggresion metal and it works out fine, when we do shows with other Death bands, the guys mostly play Ampeg and the Eden blows away they're sound. They always want to know what it is and want to get it until they hear the price. It can be as clean or dirty as you like with a little tweeking of the knobs. My only complaint is that it has almost too many variables to adjust for. If' you're doing soundcheck, and it doesn't sound just right, it may take a while to get it right.

Never had any problems with it.

I lost the owner's manual while moving and called them up for a new one, they send me a xeroxed copy. They didn't charge me for it, but they could have sent an original.

I've been playing for 15 yrs., it's my primary rig, with a Peavey combo amp for practice at home. If lost or stolen, I'd shop around but would likely end up with another one. I love the sound quality and varity of sounds. I hate that the "turbo boost" is 15 dbs, it's too overpoweing to use live, the soundman just clips it, and the guitar players think it overshadows their stuff, it should be about 8 or so dbs. And it's a tad complex. I compared it with Gallien, SWR, Trace Elliot, Ampeg and Mesa.