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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | I understand the NEW features of the new preamp. How about the basic sound in comparison to the OP Pro or Studio or others? Any opinions for those who've had a chance to A/B in a favorite axe?
BTW I do see some for sale as low as $250: so it's getting cheaper. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Noise floor is noticeably higher on the iDEA. |
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Joined:
December 2009
Posts: 79
Location: So Cal | I can't comment on the "noise floor" as I have a JC-120 amp but, I compared the iDea to an OP Pro Studio on my 12 string. In both cases the EQ controls were set flat to mid position and the options on the Pro were set to minimum. The 1/4" plugs were used as well. The iDea sounds slightly thiner but, overall it seamed fine to me. IMO it has plenty of output and for its' intended purpose and many features I think it is a viable pre-amp if you can get one at a reasonable cost. Keep in mind for around the same price you can buy one of the other models.
Jim E. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Comparing iDea to OP-Pro in 1778T-OF, played thru a Roland Cube Street on JC Clean...
The iDea seemed to have more volume, but it does seem to have less 'body'...
Or 'thinner' like Jim E sez.
But I really had to strain to notice any real difference.
The OP-Pro has the shift button, but the iDea has the 'Play' button.
I believe that this another case of the two Pre-amps being 'Different'
not that one is necessarily better than the other. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4080
Location: Utah | I concur with the 'thinner' character compared to OpPro. This is with EQ set flat. You might well be able to EQ the iDea to sound richer and as nice as an OpPro. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Wow, so the consensus is "thinner".... NOT good. Perhaps it's better to stick with the Studio then? I did notice a REAL improvement when I went from the OP-Pro to the OP-Studio. I'd hate to "backslide"! I DO really like my AD 1769 acoustically, but am finding limitations when I plug it in... |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I did a side-by-side with pretty flat EQ on both pre-amps without changing the settings on the amp.
But by altering the EQ on the iDea, and fiddling with the amp itself you could tailor the sound.
I'm sure that you can get whatever sound you like outta the iDea...
But the reason someone would have the iDea is to record, and to have backing tracks.
This is why I rarely use my iDea... Otherwise I just use the OP-Pro. |
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Joined:
December 2009
Posts: 79
Location: So Cal | I just checked the iDea with the same setup against the VIP pre-amp in the 1680 Adamas. Fixed the noisy level control in the JC-120 while I was at it. The iDea was clean and was less "thin" than the comparison to the OP Pro Studio checked earlier. I think with a little EQ it would be quite good as FlySig suggested. It is quite possible these pre-amps share at least some common electronic design. As a suggestion you might borrow one and give it a try before you take the plunge.
One thing I like about the iDea is you can record a rythm track (with a vocal if you wish via the built in mic) then play it back through the amp then fill in the lead without getting out all the recording equipment. What I'm trying to say here is you can play along with yourself. Sorry, I almost forgot to add the along.
Jim E. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | I see on sale locally this:
"Ovation CELEBRITY OPI-1 iDea Retrofit Preamp"
Is this THE iDea? Or is there another for the Legend and Adamas etc.? |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | That is the iDea.
Listed that way HERE...
But it is listed as an Adamas iDea HERE...
But I guess that it is really only a 'Celebrity' preamp if you put it in a Celebrity. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | There is only one iDEA pre-amp no matter what guitar you put it in. |
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idea preamp question