Crazy Tube Circuits Unleashes its Precision Tone Enhancer Boost - the Multi-Mode Super Conductor

We’re seemingly living in an age of incredibly smart tone-enhancers / sweeteners - typified by a new breed of pedals - like the 29 Pedals EUNA and OAMP, and recent Source Audio Zio. And now Crazy Tube Circuits throws its own hat in the ring as such - with the multi-mode Super Conductor - which features 4 different boost / preamp modes, 2 EQ Settings and 2 Voltage Headroom Settings. 

Controls - Boost Level, Mode : RangeMaster / Echoplex / MircroAmp / S.H.O., EQ : Original / Fat, Volts / Headroom : 9V / 18V.

At the core there are four different Booster / Preamps - based on 4 legendary circuits :

• Dallas Rangemaster (Si)
• Echoplex EP-3 Preamp (JFET)
• MXR Micro Amp (Opamp)
• ZVEX S.H.O. (MOSFET)

Here are Christos’ own notes on the Boost types :

• rm : our own silicon interpretation of the 60’s classic germanium treble booster. Using a unique setup of paralleling 2 low gain silicon transistors we’ve managed to produce a sound that will convince even an NOS OC44 enthusiast. Select between original voicing or enhanced lo-mid frequencies for fatter sound.
• ep : JFET preamp – gain stage based on the preamp circuit of a tape echo unit of the early 70’s run on true to the original specs with 24V DC power supply via an internal voltage boost. This tone enhancer is known for its magical coloration and the added focus and detail it gives to your sound. Select between original 70s voicing or enhanced full frequency boost with extra output.
• ma : based on a clean and ’transparent’ volume booster of the late 70s / early 80s. This circuit is a ’reference’ to louder solos. Use it to run long signal chains with its low output impedance or drive your amp harder into natural saturation. Select between original 9V DC power supply or internally boosted 18V DC for increased headroom.
• mf : based on a late 90’s ultra-transparent, high input impedance MOSFET boost. This interpretation doesn’t crackle but still retains the massive clean boost with pristine highs, sonic identity of the circuit it was modelled after. Select between original 9V DC power supply or internally boosted 18V DC for increased headroom.

On the left hand side you have a 2-way Original / Fat EQ Switch, and on the right a 9V / 18V Headroom switch to further extend or temper the output character.

NOTE - that White button modifier operates only on rm and ep circuits, black button modifier operates only on ma and mf circuits.

All in all several different usage modes for which to deploy this pedal.

On a side-by-side comparison this looks a little more useful and more potent overall than the recent Zio - while they’re actually conceptually very similar - and would likely both attract fairly equal amounts of fans.

I have a very slight preference for this Super Conductor unit - while there will undoubtedly be those who prefer the Zio - so for sure very much in the same ballpark.

As mentioned in the intro that this is a fairly new breed of pedals - and we will likely be seeing a lot more of these types. While the Super Conductor seems pretty much perfectly formed already.

Pricing is at the typical boutique level - €189 / $199 and these are available for order right now on the Crazy Tube Circuits Webstore and imminently at leading dealers.

I will likely get this for the collection at some stage - where I might occasionally rotate with one of my essential boosts - this is just a really useful utility to have at your disposal.

Where are all of you with these evolved tone-enhancers - do you have one already or are you thinking of getting one soon?