Soldano X88-IR

[PurpleRack]

Here’s something you might wanna play with the higher the channel volumes the more the fake power amp compresses.

Today my fave was yellow with gain and channel volume at 3 oclock

My fave for the day as well.

 

[hunter]

Hey all

Does anybody have a sense of the full USB capabilities of the Soldano X-88IR?

Some of the other Synergy-based products seem able to stream audio and record via USB (e.g., the Tone King Tri Tube preamp). That would make the Soldano rack unit the ultimate practice/jam tool for my use case.

The unit already digitizes the signal path for the balanced and headphone outs to implement the power amp sim so hopefully this USB audio streaming is something that can be implemented in the future. Would love to hear your thoughts.

I find the overdrive (red) channel a little flubby and that the gain is not all that usable in that mode past noon. However I’m really enjoying the clean channel modes and the purple crunch channel with a boost in front.

So far I’m really happy with this unit and hope I can get the red/overdrive channel modded more to my liking. That and USB audio.

I had the flub experience too, now I realised two things:
1. The channel out volume impacts the virtual power stage/sag from the emulated 6L6/120W power amp. I stay at about 1/3 now.
2. That Soldano reacts sensitive to the type of cable. With my go-to Mogami 2526 that I never questioned before, it can be flubby, changing to a lower capacitance/shorter cable or bypassing the fx board changes it quite a bit IMO.

Plus you can always use Purple and crank the gain or add a booster, if you want a tighter attack.

 

[hunter]

One other thing: Boosts.

The Schaffer Replica Classic is noisy, but hell it makes that Purple Mode feel like a gigantic Wall Of Sound and adds such a yummy, crispy smack to Amber Mode!

What are you guys liking for a boost on the X88?

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

One other thing: Boosts.

The Schaffer Replica Classic is noisy, but hell it makes that Purple Mode feel like a gigantic Wall Of Sound and adds such a yummy, crispy smack to Amber Mode!

What are you guys liking for a boost on the X88?

Emma Reezafrartzitz

 

[hunter]

Emma Reezafrartzitz

Does it fit in my 3U rack back lid?

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

Does it fit in my 3U rack back lid?
View attachment 51576View attachment 51577

Too wide for whats left

 

[Tritium3H]

Folks…I am really torn between the X88-IR, and the Astro-20.

I was so close to pulling the trigger on the X88, but in past couple of dayshave been reading up on user reviews and YouTube demos of the Astro 20.

Now, I am slightly leaning towards the Astro, as it seems it might be a bit more versatile in having very differentiated Clean/Crunch/Overdrive/Face-Melting gain levels.

From my research, it appears to also feature a digital power amp simulation (like the X88-IR), in the digital backend, including the IR processing. This is REALLY important to me, as i plan on using this new amp either direct/DI (via XLR connected to powered FRFR) or with traditional guitar cabinet.

So, I guess my question goes out to the X88 owners…did any of you also try the Astro 20, and what were your thoughts?

 

[Southpaw-DD]

If I were you, I would go with the X88-IR if your main use case is direct and/or recording. I owned the Astro 20 twice and kept getting frustrated with the digital parts of it - the MIDI is not as flexible as the X88-IR and the XLR output was very hot going into my Axe FX III for post effects and acting as the audio interface. I have not tried the X88-IR but may give it a shot later on. I'd love to see Soldano/BAD get some software updates out for both products.

 

[Tritium3H]

If I were you, I would go with the X88-IR if your main use case is direct and/or recording. I owned the Astro 20 twice and kept getting frustrated with the digital parts of it - the MIDI is not as flexible as the X88-IR and the XLR output was very hot going into my Axe FX III for post effects and acting as the audio interface. I have not tried the X88-IR but may give it a shot later on. I'd love to see Soldano/BAD get some software updates out for both products.

Thanks for your feedback, Southpaw. Much appreciated.

 

[Southpaw-DD]

Also, the Astro 20 doesn't compare to the pushed clean setting on the X88-IR. There really isn't an edge of breakup type tone in the Astro - the blue galaxy needs to be gained up a bit to still sound full. On the flip side, I don't think the X88-IR crunch setting can get lower gain like the Astro's blue galaxy (unless you mod the X88-IR with a resistor internally).

 

[Eagle]

I have had the two side by side and am happy to have picked the X88ir . The Astro is just not as versatile. The gain controls and eq are everything you could ask for in the 88 . The altered setting on the clean is great with single coils and effectively fills the gaps between clean and the higher gain in crunch. I’ve owned pretty much all of the tube preamps over the years and it’s by far the best imo. I could use it alone dry all day and still be smiling.
The Astro is my favourite little amp though.

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

Folks…I am really torn between the X88-IR, and the Astro-20.

I was so close to pulling the trigger on the X88, but in past couple of dayshave been reading up on user reviews and YouTube demos of the Astro 20.

Now, I am slightly leaning towards the Astro, as it seems it might be a bit more versatile in having very differentiated Clean/Crunch/Overdrive/Face-Melting gain levels.

From my research, it appears to also feature a digital power amp simulation (like the X88-IR), in the digital backend, including the IR processing. This is REALLY important to me, as i plan on using this new amp either direct/DI (via XLR connected to powered FRFR) or with traditional guitar cabinet.

So, I guess my question goes out to the X88 owners…did any of you also try the Astro 20, and what were your thoughts?

For what it's worth the only power section I loved were OG SLOs with DeYoung trannies, I still could live with Onetics since I know em well enough from my THD days since they were the only ones ever used.

In other words when I got my X88ir it was not even a consideration to get any of the current heads.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I own neither but X88>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Astro 20 all day long. 6v6s might be a tad better than el84s but still not enough oomph imo. I will say the price difference would give me pause; so if that's a concern....understand completely.