upgraded Smash vs. Beepre

[denti alligator]

How does the fully upgraded Smash (with SmashQuiet and SmashUp) compare to the Beepre? Price-wise it's still a couple hundred short of the Beepre, but with upgrades it's easier to pay piece by piece instead of all at once. Are microphonics similarly a problem?

I'm using a SEX right now, and would want to switch out my Quickie that I have in front of the SEX. Extra gain/drive, plus the third input appeals to me. Eventually I'll be upgrading to the Paramounts, so that would be work well, too.

[Paul Birkeland]

The stock BeePre has quite a bit more technology built into it compared to the stock Smash.  With both preamps fully upgraded, they have a similar level of technology, but the BeePre will sound better, perform better (lower output impedance, lower distortion, etc), and offers higher quality parts and more chassis space. 

Having said that, the fully upgraded Smash is no slouch, it's considerably easier to build in its stock form, uses tubes that are far more affordable, and allows you to better hear the sonic changes that occur with the C4S upgrades and shunt regulated power supply. 

-PB