Sarno Black Box vs IK Z-Tone

[Brian Lenherr]

Hey there. Has anyone tried the IK Multimedia Z-Tone? How does it compare to the Sarno Black Box.

Noticed it scrolling around the other night and it just sparked my curiosity. Especially since it’s 1/3 the price.

[Gary Newcomb]

Very intriguing! Love it that it has an input gain knob that you can decrease -8db

[Tucker Jackson]

The Black Box is tube-based. The Z-tone is solid state.

If we're going to compare the Z-tone to a Sarno preamp, it is more comparable to the solid state Freeloader than the Black Box... but one with a lot more features.

[Brian Lenherr]

But wouldn’t the JFET switch add some color like a tube does? So you can have the solid state option or the tube (like) option?

[Bruce Derr]

The Freeloader uses a JFET as well.

The Z-Tone has a balanced output, but that seems a bit useless for PSG, since you wouldn't normally want to send your signal to a PA before it goes through your volume pedal.

I don't see any features on the Z-Tone that improve significantly on the Freeloader for PSG, and the Freeloader's smaller clip-on enclosure is a big advantage over the Z-Tone. My opinion.

They include amp modeling software, so I suppose that might appeal to some.

[Lee Baucum]

The Freeloader uses a JFET as well.

I did not know that…and I’ve been praising FreeLoaders for years!

[Dave Grafe]

Apples and Orangutans

[Brian Lenherr]

Can you elaborate on that, Dave?

[Fred]

Can you elaborate on that, Dave?

I'm not Dave, but the Freeloader is "just" a variable input impedance buffer that only minimally colors the tone in a way that many find pleasant and is never bypassed. The Z-Tone is a preamp and DI with various tone shaping options including boost and distortion.

What it has in common with the Freeloader and the Black Box is the variable input impedance which functions a sort of tone control.

[Brian Lenherr]

Excellent! Thanks Fred! That’s really helpful and I greatly appreciate it!

[Dave Grafe]

Thanks Fred