EMPIRE | Tube Bass Preamp & DI

One tube heart, two ways out. EMPIRE is a high-voltage tube bass preamp and transformer DI built for working bassists — a 12AU7 gain stage running at true 250V, split into two independent outputs: transformer-balanced XLR for the console, 12AT7-driven 1/4″ for your amp. Jensen-lineage iron and stage punch, from a single pedal.

Two outputs. Two personalities. One tube heart.

Think of EMPIRE as two preamps sharing a single heart. A high-voltage 12AU7 gain stage and a Fender-voiced tone stack set the character — warm, harmonically rich, mix-ready — running at a true 250V plate voltage for the headroom and effortless compression only high-voltage physics can deliver. From there, the signal forks into two independent outputs, each with its own voice and its own level:

• XLR DI — out through the iron. The signal passes into a high-nickel-core transformer for a transparent, electrically isolated studio DI: full, weighty, and ready to sit in a mix straight off the stage.
• 1/4″ Amp Out — out through the glass. A dedicated 12AT7 output stage drives your rig at a lower, stiffer output impedance — tighter, punchier, and more controlled, built to hold its grip through a long cable and a loud room.

Same heart, two ways out — one tuned for the console, one for the stage. Each output carries its own level control, so you can set the DI once for front-of-house and ride your amp volume independently.

Internal Empire Status Indicators provide visual confirmation that the unit is powered and the tubes are live and ready to track.

A familiar EQ, refined

The EQ is built around a classic Fender-style tone stack, long respected for its musical curves and forgiving sweet spot. We’ve refined the Bass control for a tighter, more focused response that sits cleanly in a modern mix, paired with a dedicated Sub switch that tightens the low end on booming stages — not a cut, but a voiced shape that keeps the floor intact while reining in the bloom.

Hand-built in Montreal

EMPIRE ships with its own dedicated regulated 18V supply — no hunting for a non-standard adapter — and is housed in a rugged, custom-finished aluminum chassis with recessed tube protection. Every unit is individually assembled and tested in Montreal, Quebec.

Features

• Dual-Output Architecture: One 12AU7 voice, two independent outputs — a transformer-balanced XLR DI and a 12AT7-driven 1/4″ amp out.
• Studio-Grade Topology: True 250V high-voltage tube circuit — 12AU7 gain stage into a 12AT7 output stage.
• Studio Iron: High-nickel-core transformer-balanced XLR DI for transparent, electrically isolated low end.
• Punchy Amp Output: Low-impedance 12AT7 1/4″ output stage tuned for the stage.
• Independent Output Levels: Set your DI and amp output separately.
• Pro-Grade Power: 18V input engine for maximum headroom and silence.
• Included Supply: Dedicated regulated 18V supply in the box — no non-standard adapter to source.
• Refined Control: Classic Fender-style tone stack with improved low-end focus.
• Sub Control: Voiced low-end switch — tightens the sub bloom without cutting the floor.
• Ground Lift: On the XLR DI for hum-free stages.
• Custom Chassis: Heavy-duty, custom-finished aluminum enclosure with recessed tube protection.
• Hand-Built: Assembled in small batches in Montreal, Quebec.

EMPIRE delivers that unmistakable tube feel — warm, present, and expressive — with the connectivity and power management the modern working pro actually needs.

Limited run · 2026 production.