Eden Navigator preamp???

[1960LesPaul]

1st timer here. Anyone have any experience with the Navigator. I have a chance to get one but wanted some opinions. Right now I have an Ampeg SVT II Pro preamp with Peavey cs800S poweramp running into an Eden 2x10 and Eden 4x10xlt. About 1000 watts bridged @ 4ohms. I am a guitar player who is playing bass and this rig is being borrowed. My bass playing buddy is playing guitar in another band Using one of my guitar rigs lol. But I might have to give it up as his band isn't working out and he may need the bass rig to make some cash.

 

I love the cabs and if I have to buy a rig I want the edens. I think I am going with the Crown XTI 2000 poweramp. 2000 watts bridged @ 4 ohms. Gotta have that headroom lol.

 

I am using a 4stg Peavey Cirrus, a 5stg Cirrus, a Fender Jazz macked out and a Peavey Fury 5. Sometimes a Spector Euro 5stg.

[RSBro]

Are you unhappy with the SVT-II Pre?

 

The Navigator is great, although some of the newer models are more noisy.

 

However, for a semi-user or weekend warrior, it may be a tad much if you're after that "Eden sound". It has more options than you can shake a stick at, and may not need all of it.

Although as a past (and will be!) Eden user, it does have some great tone.

 

Are both of your cabs 8 ohms, I'm assuming?

 

How about just getting an Eden head, and not having to do both? Carrying around both the 2U Nav pre and a power amp is a PITA, big time! I know from experience...

 

It's a great unit though.

[catphish]

Welcome to the board.

 

That pre amp sounds amazing. Punchy, Warm, awesome. It has too much tweakability for my liking, but still I owned one for years, and set everything flat and loved the tone.

 

During that time, I actually owned two different ones. Both ended up having problems that required repairs. I've also had major problems with the CS at US Music, the people who now own Eden.

 

Good luck.

[1960LesPaul]

Are you unhappy with the SVT-II Pre? The Navigator is great, although some of the newer models are more noisy. However, for a semi-user or weekend warrior, it may be a tad much if you're after that "Eden sound". It has more options than you can shake a stick at, and may not need all of it. Although as a past (and will be!) Eden user, it does have some great tone. Are both of your cabs 8 ohms, I'm assuming? How about just getting an Eden head, and not having to do both? Carrying around both the 2U Nav pre and a power amp is a PITA, big time! I know from experience... It's a great unit though.

 

 

I like the Ampeg but I might have to give it up. It's not mine. Yes both cabs are 8ohms. I was shying away from the complete head because I was told that they had reliability problems in the power section but it appears that it affects the preamp as well. What do you all think of the Alembic FX1. A really good friend who is a very well known local guy said I should check out the Demeter stuff.

[RSBro]

It really depends on your tone at this point.

 

Most anything will sound great through those Eden cabs (although I personally would run one power amp channel to each, as you may over-exert your 210 before your 410 reaches it's breaking point), having had a few myself.

 

Do you like the Ampeg tone? What tone are you going for in general? If you like something with a little more fur, the Aguilar DB659 (if you can find one) would be a great match, or some will recommend the SansAmp, which I personally find a tad too "fake" sounding.

 

The Alembic, and both current Demeters will all sound great. Again, it just depends on what tone you're looking for.

[1960LesPaul]

Yes I like the Ampeg just thought I might try something different. I did play on an Aguilar some time ago and liked it. Forgot about those. Not much on the Samsamp.

[RSBro]

Yes I like the Ampeg just thought I might try something different. I did play on an Aguilar some time ago and liked it. Forgot about those. Not much on the Samsamp.

 

See if you can find a used DB659. It probably of all the pre's was my favorite, with the second being the Demeter VTBP-201s.

 

Check out www.basstasters.com if you are looking to get a grasp on what straight preamps, DI's, etc. sound like, uncolored through your power amp and cabs.

[1960LesPaul]

WOW I love the 659. Thanks for the site. I will listen to more tonight. I listened to the Navigator and I gotta say I didn't like it as much as the 659.

[RSBro]

 

WOW I love the 659. Thanks for the site. I will listen to more tonight. I listened to the Navigator and I gotta say I didn't like it as much as the 659.

 

 

The 659 is a great one.

Aguilar unfortunately (IMHO) discontinues some of their best products.

They usually are replaced with good stuff, but not direct substitutes for such, like a preamp.

[1960LesPaul]

I am ashamed to say that I loved the Ampeg SVP BSP for Billy Sheehan

[RSBro]

I am ashamed to say that I loved the Ampeg SVP BSP for Billy Sheehan

 

No need to be!

It's proof even "signature" gear can still rock!

[L-1329]

My Navigator pre had the recurring weak output signal strengh problems that many had. I had it 'fixed' twice, and it still would lose output. It's tone also just never really got along with the 115 cab I had at the time, and I got tired of it and sold it in favor of my current GBE750 head. The Navigator has some very cool, usefull and flexible features, but unfortunately reliability was not one of them.

[1960LesPaul]

I think I have decided on the Aguilar 659 and I am going to replace that 2x10 with a 4x10 as I am already pushing it too hard.

[RSBro]

 

I think I have decided on the Aguilar 659 and I am going to replace that 2x10 with a 4x10 as I am already pushing it too hard.

 

 

That will be a very choice rig right there!

And you'll get maximum efficiency/volume from your rig by adding two of the same cabs @ 8 ohms, and bridging from your power amp.

[Bryan316]

 

1st timer here. Anyone have any experience with the Navigator. I have a chance to get one but wanted some opinions. Right now I have an Ampeg SVT II Pro preamp with Peavey cs800S poweramp running into an Eden 2x10 and Eden 4x10xlt. About 1000 watts bridged @ 4ohms. I am a guitar player who is playing bass and this rig is being borrowed. My bass playing buddy is playing guitar in another band Using one of my guitar rigs lol. But I might have to give it up as his band isn't working out and he may need the bass rig to make some cash. I love the cabs and if I have to buy a rig I want the edens. I think I am going with the Crown XTI 2000 poweramp. 2000 watts bridged @ 4 ohms. Gotta have that headroom lol. I am using a 4stg Peavey Cirrus, a 5stg Cirrus, a Fender Jazz macked out and a Peavey Fury 5. Sometimes a Spector Euro 5stg.

 

 

 

 

Which Eden 210?

 

Sell the SVT preamp, sell the Peavey, get an Eden WT800C and shrink the size and weight of your whole rig.

 

DONE.

[Bryan316]

 

I think I have decided on the Aguilar 659 and I am going to replace that 2x10 with a 4x10 as I am already pushing it too hard.

 

 

 

I guess it must be the 210XLT.

 

 

Swap it for the 210XST, get the massive low end extension.

 

Then you'll have the Uber-610.

[RSBro]

Yeah, actually the 210XST or 410XST would be a great compliment!

[1960LesPaul]

 

Which Eden 210? Sell the SVT preamp, sell the Peavey, get an Eden WT800C and shrink the size and weight of your whole rig. DONE.

 

 

That stuff isn't mine to sell. It is an Eden 210 xlt. I think I want another 410 in a xst. How is it that the xst has less porting but more low end than the xlt? Are they the same size. I was offered an Aguilar in what appears to be nice shape for 550.00 but that seems a little high. What is the going rate for these preamps. Cant buy them new anymore.

[RSBro]

 

That stuff isn't mine to sell. It is an Eden 210 xlt. I think I want another 410 in a xst. How is it that the xst has less porting but more low end than the xlt? Are they the same size. I was offered an Aguilar in what appears to be nice shape for 550.00 but that seems a little high. What is the going rate for these preamps. Cant buy them new anymore.

 

 

That pre for $550 is a great deal. I got mine when they were still being made for about $600.

[Bryan316]

 

That stuff isn't mine to sell. It is an Eden 210 xlt. I think I want another 410 in a xst. How is it that the xst has less porting but more low end than the xlt? Are they the same size...

 

 

 

NOT less porting. DEEPER porting.

 

The 210XST may only have one opening at the bottom, but that port extends all the way to the back wall, then 3/4 of the way up the back wall. VERY long port to get that frequency extension. The magic of Eden.

 

So you'd have the 210XST on the floor to give you all your MAD rumble, then the 410XLT up high for displacing your abdomenal organs. You can either run it all bridged and just let each cabinet do the work the way they were designed, which is the prefered method for Eden users doing the XST/XLT combos, or go stereo and use the crossover of the WT800C to drive only the lows to the 210XST and let the 410XLT run full-range.

 

Me, I'd just go bridged, and let the cabs do all their magic.

 

What ohms rating is your 410XLT?

[1960LesPaul]

 

NOT less porting. DEEPER porting. The 210XST may only have one opening at the bottom, but that port extends all the way to the back wall, then 3/4 of the way up the back wall. VERY long port to get that frequency extension. The magic of Eden. So you'd have the 210XST on the floor to give you all your MAD rumble, then the 410XLT up high for displacing your abdomenal organs. You can either run it all bridged and just let each cabinet do the work the way they were designed, which is the prefered method for Eden users doing the XST/XLT combos, or go stereo and use the crossover of the WT800C to drive only the lows to the 210XST and let the 410XLT run full-range. Me, I'd just go bridged, and let the cabs do all their magic. What ohms rating is your 410XLT?

 

 

8 for both. On a side note what is everyone's opinion of the GK 1001 II head. If I sound scatter brained it's because I am lol.

[Bryan316]

Well first of all, I guess my suggestion would be perfect, but better than average. I say that, because if you bridged the amp into both cabs, you'd want to see each driver getting an equal amount of wattage. But that would require a 410XLT at 4 ohms and a 210XST at 8 ohms, so each driver gets the same wattage.

 

But, the 210XST's drivers are stronger, thirstier drivers. So even if you went stereo, and pumped one channel into a 210XST 4 ohm, and the 410XLT 8 ohm on the other channel, you could get CRAZY low end from the 210XST and a relatively safe volume from the 410XLT.

 

So, since you want to get the most bang for the buck, you'd want two 8-ohm cabinets together for a 4-ohm load, then bridge the amp into it, So yes, getting a 410XST at 8 ohms, you'd have FEROCIOUS power! 1100 watts is going to leave permanent injuries to everyone's faces in the front row!

 

Go with the 410XST 8-ohm. I've already heard this cab with a WT800A bridged into it, it's a scary SCARY earthquake machine.