PreSonus NSB 16.8From real comments

Verdict distilled from 24 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment43%
PROS 43%
CONS 57%

Rank based on 24 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You need to expand a StudioLive Series III console with extra networked inputs
  • You want to daisy-chain multiple stage boxes and EarMix units over AVB
  • You value a simple, solid rack-mount design for touring or fixed installs

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a dedicated main LR output separate from the 16 assignable outs
  • You can't tolerate reports of static, overheating dropouts, or component failures
  • You dislike fiddly hardware like mismatched torx/Phillips screws and XLR latches that can loosen

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
PreSonus NSB 16.8
Flexible AVB networking and expansionExpands input capacity for growing setupsPraised in professional live useConfusing output routing and setupComponent failures, static, and overheating reportsSync and firmware connection issues
PreSonus NSB 16.8
Flexible AVB networking and expansion
Expands input capacity for growing setups
Praised in professional live use
Confusing output routing and setup
Component failures, static, and overheating reports
Sync and firmware connection issues

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Routing and setup can trip up new users. Commenters describe struggling to route mixer outputs to the stage box, losing all routing after a power cycle, being unable to route headphone monitor mixes, and not finding a dedicated main LR output when all 16 outs are used for monitors and in-ears. Others hit sync issues where the expected blue link light never comes on after firmware updates, suggesting the setup process isn't always intuitive even for experienced operators.

Reliability and hardware quality draw mixed feedback. Some users report serious issues: a suspected blown internal component after tightening a rack screw, static on specific channels with no visible burnt parts, and online reports of intermittent dropouts blamed on overheating requiring a cooling fan. Separately, several commenters mention Amphenol XLR connector latches falling out during live use, though one notes a latchless replacement part exists as a fix.

In the field, users describe it as a dependable networking workhorse. One venue engineer calls it 'a beast' after regular use, and another runs a 32R, 32SC, and 32.16 combo happily for most shows. Multiple users ask about daisy-chaining two or more NSB units and EarMix systems over AVB without a switch, and about running it alongside consoles like the 64S or 16r, indicating it's valued as a flexible, expandable piece of a larger AVB network.

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