Ampeg SVT-DI

As easy as it gets. Its a DI box. You plug into the input with a 1/4" cable. There are push buttons to add or not add the tube sound for the outputs.

This thing is actually quite amazing. If you are looking to get the Ampeg SVT tube bass sound from a DI then this is it. I use a Stuart Spector bass and B.C. Rich Warlock bass. I run them into an Ibanez TS-9 reissue tube screamer then into a Boss pedal tuner then into the SVTDI then into the P.A. mixing board (mackie 1604VLZ). The P.A. speakers we use are JBL SR series tops and Yorkville ES series dual eighteen subs. I typically only use the tube screamer to add a little grind now and then when I feel like it. I run the SVTDI with the tube buttons pushed on. I actually A/B'd (compared) it to my 1990's Ampeg SVT-II pro premier edition head (300 watt tube) with an early 1970's SVT 8x10 cab (and not using the tube screamer pedal) and with a little eqing of the 3 band eq on the mixing board the SVTDI gave me the exact tone of my Ampeg rig with the exception that the PA system doesn't push the air in the same way the 8x10s do. But as far as the tone/sound goes it was dead on with my Ampeg rig. I used to use a SansAmp classic into the PA system and I have tried (bought and soon returned) the SansAmp Bass DI and MXR bass DI and these don't compare to the SVTDI at all. Don't waste your time with these get the SVTDI. When I run my bass rig live I use the SVTDI as a sort of preamp into my bass rig (adds the extra tube remember) and I really like the way it sounds with my bass rig. I can't explain what its adding, I guess the warmth sound people seem to always quote, but you can definitely hear it when you push the button on and off. I liked the SVTDI so much I went and bought another when I found out that Ampeg discontinued them.

It seems to be built like a tank. I have had no issues yet. I haven't dropped it yet either so we'll see.

I emailed ampeg asking if the actual tube was supposed to glow in the DI like the tubes do in a tube amplifier. There is a light in the DI that gives the apperance that the tube glows but the tube itself actually doesn't. I guess the engineers who design the Ampeg products and the Ampeg customer service guys are kind of disconnected from each other when it comes to getting design info stuff. Cause the customer service guy sent me an email reply saying he was going to go home and check his SVTDI to see if the tube in his glowed. He hit me back the next day saying that his didn't glow either. I asked this question during the time when Ampeg was switching to having everything being made overseas so that might have been why he had to find out like this. The second DI that I bought was the same. I will say that it was really cool to see the extent that the customer service guy was willing to go to get the answer to my question.

I play techno metal like Rob Zombie and play punk and thrash. I've been playing since 1986. I would definitely get another if both of mine were stolen. Don't waste your time on anything else if you want the Ampeg type sound.

Plug and play!

Switches: Tube or direct for each output (XLR or 1/4)
Ground lift switch
and dba cut for passive/active basses.

I play a stock Fender JazzBass Geddy Lee, a Squier P-Bass upgraded with vintage style Kent-Armstrong Pick-Up, I play a lot in Drop-D.

Through a 100% transistor Fender BXR-200 head with a matching Fender 2x10+horn Cab, an extra 1x15 Yamaha for big gigs. When going to the PA is required, I use the built-in DI of the BXR rather than the SVT since I use the BXR's chorus.

The improvement with the SVT Pre-amp is subtle but definitely perceptible. Mids are enhanced, hard to explain but sounds wider, like if the sound was coming from a 12 feet wide enclosure (obvious when I use headphones on a cheap squire 15W for silent practice, when tube DI is used, sound is coming from everywhere!). Audiophiles are talking about warmer sound but let???s be honest, it means nothing, who is feeling temperature of a sound???

There is also a very subtle distortion once tube warmed a couple of minutes (E.G. London Calling by the clash, NIN last album ; There is no you... only me)

I'll come back to write about tube replacement when it will be required.

I opened it built like a tank, heat dissipation will not be an issue.
Quality of jacks and switches as well as workmanship is not questionable.

Just a detail; when turned on, amber light is visible trough the grid of the housing (beautiful by the way, with a nice chromed Ampeg), it is not the tube, it is a small colored bulb? Is it for the look or to help keep the tube warm, or simply to know it's on?

No need for a backup since you can play direct, but loose the enhancement.

Not required yet.

I play since 20 years, Alternative rock (they call it Indie now??? who's using a cithar?), never got a tube amp, closer than ever now.

I tried Behringer's Tube Ultragain with the same 12AX7 tube (may be lower quality?). It has a couple knob to adjust it, can be used for mic, bass or other. I recorded two songs with it, the sound guy told me a lot of good things about but the sound improvement, but it was barely perceptible.

Still subtle with the Ampeg but definitely perceptible.

Would buy again unless I could get 100% Tube Ampeg, SWR, Ashdown, Hiwatt or???lucky enough to find a Sunn.

150$ to get closer to a 1500$ rig (with a 600$ existing rig) not bad...

Input, Thru, Balanced Output,Direct/Tube (2), 0db,-6db, GND/LIFT,Power...Thats about it, Super Easy to use

Not much more you can ask for out of a DI box, The 12AX7 Tube adds so much to your sound!!

Its Ampeg, enough said...

Had my B4R Serviced this year after 5 years of playing hard on it....They where great!

I play Funk, Metal, Punk, Hardcore, Surf??...For about 14 years now, I play through the Ampeg B4R, SVT-410He, Bagend 2x15, Ibanez EDB-605..and now thanks to this DI I have the tone I have been looking for all these years..

Very easy to use. Only 4 buttons. 1 db pad, 1 button to select tube or direct, a ground lift button and a tube or direct button for the XLR out. There is an input 1/4" jack, a parallell output 1/4" jack and an XLR out. There is also a power switch to turn the unit on. That's it.

I play direct about 90% of the time becuase I don't like hauling a rig around everywhere and everywhere I play including rehearsals, there is a PA I can tap into. I just take this box with me along with my bass (Fender Jazz w/ EMG active pickups) and plug in. It is very simple straightforward and it sounds great. I used to use a SansAmp DI. The SansAmp is a good unit but if you really want the true tube tone, this box will do a better job of warming up your signal. The box has an actual 12AX7 preamp tube in it. Of course, having active pickups gives me more tonal felxibility. If you have a passive bass, it may be better to also use an EQ if you are playing direct without an amp. The sound is very good. Almost like having an SVT rig through the PA!

This unit is rock solid and I seriously doubt anything would ever need to be done to it except occassionally change the tube (about $15 every other year; if that). The unit also comes with a nice padded carrying case so you can protect your "mini-SVT" rig.

Have not dealt with them. I bought it from AMS and they have been very good to work with in the past.

I play classic rock covers in one band, in the other band I play fusion/progressive rock. I use a fretless sometimes and this unit makes it sound incredible. I have been playing bass for 10 years. Overall I love this box. It is very quiet with little to no hum at all. The tube warms up the tone nicely. If you have solid state equipment, this will warm up your tone and make it sound like you have a tube preamp. The unit is pricey but it is still cheaper than buying a tube preamp from Ampeg or SWR. Also beware, this thing is huge. It is about 12" long x 6" wide and about 3" thick. It also weighs 6 lbs. This is not your typical direct box and you have to be a little more careful with it since it has a tube. Overall, an excellent unit. Would replace it immediately.