The AMT SS-11A is a three-channel all-tube preamp pedal from AMT Electronics, part of the company's Studio Series. It runs two 12AX7 tubes (or the Russian 6N2P-EV equivalent) at a genuine high-voltage anode supply of +300 V, rather than the low tube voltages found in many tube pedals, and AMT describes it as fully tube-based1. The three channels are CLEAN, OVERDRIVE and LEAD, each with its own gain and level controls, and the unit is designed to cover what AMT calls "all the classic jazzy, overdrive, and rock sounds of vintage tube amplifiers"1.
AMT positions the SS-11A as a brother to the AMT SS-20 but with a different intent: the SS-20 is the more aggressive "METAL" pedal, while the SS-11 line is aimed at classic tube-driven, saturated guitar tone1. The company says its design motto for the SS-11 was "minimum size with maximum functionality for full tube overdrive with the highest quality components"1. The unit is listed as available now1.
The three channels
Each channel has its own character, as AMT describes it:
| Channel | AMT's description |
|---|---|
| CLEAN | "focuses on crystal clarity clean sound"1 |
| OVERDRIVE | "more open structure of the sound, VERY tubey and saturated sounding, much like that of the classic tube amps of the 70's and 80's"1 |
| LEAD | "thick viscous sound for playing both chunky rhythm parts and singing solos with excellent presence"1 |
AMT calls the Overdrive channel the SS-11's sweet spot, voicing it toward the saturated character of 70s and 80s tube amps1. The overdrive channel itself is a four-stage, dual-tube design running at the full +300 V anode voltage1.
The controls
The SS-11A gives each channel individual gain sensitivity and output level controls, with the clean and crunch/lead channels adjusted separately1. The CLEAN channel carries its own tone shaping:
- Low, Mid and High controls for shaping the sound1
- A TREBLE SHIFT toggle for adjusting the high-end response1
The AMT media center's feature list for the SS-11A also includes a compressor, a noise gate with a global setting, a power amp section with 9 types, and an IR cabsim with one IR shared by both L/R channels per preset2.
Power and outputs
The SS-11A runs on 12V DC with a center-negative plug and draws 600mA (0.6A)1. That draw is substantial for a compact pedal: the SS-20 runs on a 12V DC external adaptor drawing 1.25A3, and the AMT SS-11B is listed at 1250mA4. The SS-11A needs a properly rated 12V supply.
The SS-11A requires 12V DC, center negative, at 600mA1. Power supplies and daisy chains built around low-current outputs will not power it correctly.
The single OUTPUT jack covers two destinations. In GUITAR AMP mode it runs at a standard 0 dB level for feeding a dedicated guitar amplifier. The CAB SIM MIXER out runs at -10 dB with a built-in guitar cabinet simulation, so the preamp can go straight into a mixing desk or interface without an amp or cabinet1. The media center's demo material shows the SS-11A's line output feeding a Laney VC50 power amp directly2.
SS-11A versus SS-11B
The SS-11A is one of two versions of the SS-11. According to AMT, the gain circuitry of the SS-11A's LEAD channel is slightly less aggressive than that of the SS-11B, while the Clean and Crunch channels are the same between the two1. Both are analog preamps with Clean, Low gain and High gain modes56.
The SS-11B adds a parametric pre/post EQ section that the SS-11A does not have574, and it draws more current, at 1250mA per RockBoard's listing4. Both versions are listed as available now16.
In the AMT lineup
The SS-11A sits in AMT's Studio Series alongside the SS-20, a 3-channel tube guitar preamp that uses a single 12AX7 tube and runs on a 12V DC external adaptor drawing 1.25A31. Where the SS-20 is voiced as the aggressive "METAL" option, the SS-11A is the classic-voiced alternative, with the SS-11B as its more aggressive, EQ-equipped sibling1.
AMT's media center has published demo material of the SS-11 in use, including video demonstrations of the preamp2.
Videos
Brett Kingman
Brett Kingman
Pedal Science
Questions
What tubes does the AMT SS-11A use?
It uses two 12AX7 tubes, which can also be the Russian equivalent 6N2P-EV type, in a dual-tube, four-stage overdrive channel design. The tubes run at a high-voltage anode supply of +300 V, which is what gives the preamp its full tube character rather than a low-voltage tube emulation.
What is the difference between the AMT SS-11A and SS-11B?
Both are analog preamps with Clean, Low gain and High gain modes. The SS-11A's LEAD channel gain circuitry is slightly less aggressive than the SS-11B's, while the Clean and Crunch channels are the same. The SS-11B also adds a parametric pre/post EQ section.
Does the AMT SS-11A have a cab sim output?
Yes. The output jack serves two purposes: a GUITAR AMP mode at a standard 0 dB level for connecting to a guitar amplifier, and a CAB SIM MIXER out at -10 dB with a built-in guitar cabinet simulation for going direct. The media center also lists an IR cabsim with one IR shared by both L/R channels per preset.
What power supply does the AMT SS-11A need?
It needs a 12V DC supply with a center-negative plug, drawing 600mA (0.6A). That current draw is substantial for a compact pedal, so it needs its own adequately rated 12V supply rather than a shared low-current daisy chain.
Can the SS-11A go straight into a mixer?
Yes. The CAB SIM MIXER output runs at -10 dB with a guitar cabinet simulation built in, so it can feed a mixing desk or recording interface directly without a guitar amp or speaker cabinet.
Sources (7)
- AMT SS-11A (Studio Series preamp), AMT Electronics, 2026
- AMT SS-11A, AMT Electronics media center
- AMT SS-20 (Studio Series preamp), AMT Electronics, 2026
- SS-11B by AMT Electronics, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- AMT SS-11B, AMT Electronics (media.amtelectronics.com)
- AMT SS-11B (Studio Series preamp), AMT Electronics, 2026
- AMT Electronics: SS-11B with ESP Stef-T7 (Direct to comp.), Media center of AMT Electronics
