PreSonus TubePre V2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 26 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment63%
PROS 62%
CONS 38%

Rank based on 26 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an affordable way to add tube warmth and drive to vocals, bass or guitar
  • You're willing to swap the stock tube for better saturation
  • You need a simple DI/preamp box to feed a separate audio interface

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You already have a modern interface with clean, capable preamps
  • You need strong gain for quiet mic/guitar signals in live use
  • You expect a genuine tube circuit rather than an FET-assisted tube stage

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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1Mid
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Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
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Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
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Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
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Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
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Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
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Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31Budget
PreSonus TubePre V2
Adds warmth and body to vocals/instrumentsBig upgrade with a better tubeStrong value for the priceSome hear no audible differenceConfusing demo/setup causes mixed resultsStock tube considered weak
PreSonus TubePre V2
Adds warmth and body to vocals/instruments
Big upgrade with a better tube
Strong value for the price
Some hear no audible difference
Confusing demo/setup causes mixed results
Stock tube considered weak

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Tube swapping unlocks the unit's real character. Multiple commenters say the stock tube is mediocre and that replacing it makes a dramatic difference, especially in drive saturation on guitar and bass. One user recommends driving the tube past 12 o'clock only after upgrading it, since the stock tube mostly yields a transparent, uncolored sound at low drive settings rather than true tube warmth.

Opinions split sharply on whether it's audibly better than no preamp. Several listeners praise the added warmth, body and mid-range detail on vocals, guitar, bass and piano, calling it punchy for the price. Others say they heard no difference at all between using it and bypassing it, sometimes blaming demo setup errors like leaving the instrument switch engaged during vocal takes or YouTube's audio compression masking subtle tonal changes.

Reliability and design questions linger for some owners. One user found their unit dead on arrival after storage despite careful packaging, with the tube not glowing and the VU meter pulsing erratically. Others question whether it counts as a genuine tube circuit versus an FET stage simulating tube coloration. Still, some long-term owners report years of trouble-free use with no issues.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?