Hamptone ~ JFET vs. Tube - STILL CAN'T DECIDE!

[mechanicalmastering]

After tons of research I STILL can't decide which one to get. I know that I want something slightly colored yet stackable, it will be paired with a really nice clean pre and used primarily for vocals, guitars, re-amping various samples, elements that would occupy a similar range as a snare drum, (like hand clamps for instance), and anything else that might benefit from a little bit of rounded color. Anyone have links to a shootout or something?
Which one sounds BIGGER?
Which one is more musical?
Thx!

[shedshrine]

Inverseroom said:

...the JFET is right up there with the [Hamptone]tube and the JLM though! It's more saturated and characterful, to my ear.

Mic Pre Shootout! Hamptone vs. JLM Audio vs. Yamaha PM180

[mechanicalmastering]

Mic Pre Shootout! Hamptone vs. JLM Audio vs. Yamaha PM180

Thanks a lot! File 404 not found

[shedshrine]

Darn. I think there may be another thread or two where john compares the two on here, though no mp3 links on those as I recall.

I think either one would supply you color and size. I have the JFET and it certainly can do those things. Huge bass DI!

[KennyLusk]

shedshrine, that GIF you're using as a signature is freaking me out.

[shedshrine]

In a bad way or a good way?

The birds slow down their flight pattern when traffic is higher. That's how I first saw them when I "borrowed" them from other skies.

I just wanted to change things up after having the Tascam 388 fanboy headlines monikor for 6 years running..

[mechanicalmastering]

Inverseroom said:

...the JFET is right up there with the [Hamptone]tube and the JLM though! It's more saturated and characterful, to my ear.

Damn, Inverseroom was kind enough to toss me a link to his track with all JFET, it was AMAZZZZZING!!! (Maybe he'll chime in and post it?) Soooo very incredible and musical, if someone doesn't show me a superior offering from the tube soon, my finger's going to go trigger-happy on the HJFP2 link on Scott's site.

(ahem,,, http://hamptone.com/hjfp2_info.html)

[KennyLusk]

Inverseroom said:

...the JFET is right up there with the [Hamptone]tube and the JLM though! It's more saturated and characterful, to my ear.

Damn, Inverseroom was kind enough to toss me a link to his track with all JFET, it was AMAZZZZZING!!! (Maybe he'll chime in and post it?) Soooo very incredible and musical, if someone doesn't show me a superior offering from the tube soon, my finger's going to go trigger-happy on the HJFP2 link on Scott's site.

(ahem,,, http://hamptone.com/hjfp2_info.html)

I've got 2 of John's CD's (inverseroom) and they're super creative IMO. He's got the JFET and the valve version I think and at least the JFET is used pretty heavily on both records. Cool stuff. You should check out both of his records even if only to listen to the production. Mastered them himself too; impressive.

[mechanicalmastering]

Mastered them himself too

That, is VERY cool.

[mechanicalmastering]

Anyone else care to chime in? I'd really love to hear some samples of the tube pre.

[fedexnman]

PROS : Well the jfet is cheaper CONS: None . The way I look at it you get a 2 channel mic-pre for the cost of a 1 channel name brand neve,api,avalon, etc etc . Both the jfet and tube have transformers in them. I really dont think you could go wrong with either of them.