Summit Audio - TD 100

The Summit Audio Tube Direct is a no frills preamp/direct box made for warming up DI tracks. It is also a great tube preamp. Summit audio is perticulariy well known for their distinct tube character and beautiful transparent sound. And let me tell you, this box rocks.

Upon first plugging in this box, the first thing you notice is the high quality pots and switches on the front panel, all mounted firmly to it's rugged steel chassis. It's got a VERY sturdy overall feel to it.

The unit is SILENT and when used with my bass in active mode, is very quiet. It colors the tone of your instrument beautifully. Very warm, articulate and open, but has a kind of "glassy" sounding warm sizzle with a great 3d texture that I haven't experienced with any other tube gear. I suspect this unit would really shine when re-tubed with some high end NOS tubes like Telefunkens, Mullards, or Brimars.



Technical specs are available here, other than that...

Front Panel-



Rear Panel-



Under the Hood-





Very impressive construction, and even more impressive in the tone department. I have owned other tube preamps (Demeter hbp-1 and vtbp 201s) that have tone sections with eq, but what this box lacks in versatility, it's makes up in simplicity and quality of tone.