Dirty Little Secret Mk.1 vs JCM800 Preamp... Thoughts?

[squirrels]

I built a DLS Mk.1 and while I really like it (especially at 18 volts), I was wondering how the rawk mode compared to the JCM Preamp or even the BSIAB2? I think the Mk.1 has a decent amount of gain and my Klon clone boosts it nicely but how close to a JCM does it get? I’m playing through a Vix AC10. Thanks.

[GrooveChampion]

My question is how hard is it to bias the Jfets

[Muadzin]

I've built both, and while its been a while since I last played either of them I really liked the DLS on rawk mode. It was my go to hi gain sound for years. Well, not metal hi gain of course. It was on my board for at least four years straight. I must have built dozens of other medium to high gain pedals in that time and none managed to kick it off. Until I built a Stone Grey distortion. The DLS probably sounds even better with a boost in front of it, as Catalinbread designed it to be as a foundation overdrive, one that could be stacked, just like an amp.

GrooveChampion wrote

My question is how hard is it to bias the Jfets

None at all, it's a mu-amp setup, so its not like most JFET drives, which are either a pain in the ass to bias, or require matched transistors.

[GrooveChampion]

OK man I seriously need an explanation regarding the second part.

[squirrels]

Thanks for the reply Muadzan. I was thinking of just sticking with the DLS because I like the simplicity as well. The more I’m playing it, the more I’m liking it. It sounds fantastic with my Klon clone boosting it. It sounds great with a Javaboost as well. Like you said, not metal but it’s definitely close. Rock mode works great with my 69 clone in front too.