The Tone King Imperial Tube Preamp is a valve-powered preamp pedal that puts the company's Imperial amplifier into a stompbox. It is a two-channel stereo preamp with built-in tremolo and reverb, voiced after the namesake amp, and its circuit is claimed to feature the exact same preamp and phase inverter topology as the Imperial MK II amplifier12. Guitar World describes it as a valve-powered preamp pedal about the same size as a Strymon BigSky2.
The two channels, called Rhythm and Lead, are footswitchable and optimized for those two roles1. Gearnews reported in December 2025 that, in its view, "they sound alarmingly similar to the great MKII amp they are modeled after"3.
Two channels, reverb and tremolo
The Rhythm channel has a cleaner tone with EQ controls for Bass and Treble. The Lead channel takes a different EQ configuration, with a Tone knob and a Mid-Bite control that sets how much solos cut through the mix1. Both channels also carry Tone King's signature Attenuator control and a Volume out knob1.
Guitar World's review lists the Lead channel controls as Attenuation, a 3-way cab sim selector, Mid-Bite, Tone and Volume2. The reverb and tremolo are foot-switchable, and the unit includes a stereo effects loop so you can run other pedals into it2.
"It packs in three 12AX7 valves, with two independent channels and foot-switchable reverb and tremolo."
One thing a player comparing it with the amp should know: to fit the reverb and tremolo into the pedal, those effects are digital, while the preamp itself is tube-powered2.
The controls
| Control | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Bass, Treble | Rhythm channel | EQ for the cleaner channel1 |
| Tone | Lead channel | Tone shaping on the higher-gain channel1 |
| Mid-Bite | Lead channel | Sets how much solos cut through the mix1 |
| Attenuator | Both channels | Tone King's signature control1 |
| Volume out | Both channels | Sets output level1 |
| 3-way cab sim switch | Channels | Extra coloring options, not present on the amp1 |
The cab sim switch is worth noting for anyone planning to record or go straight to a desk: Delicious Audio points out it is the one feature the original amp does not have1.
Power and connections
Guitar World lists the connectivity as eight quarter-inch sockets: Input, To Amp In, From Amp Send, To Amp Return, headphone out, FX loop Send, and FX loop left and right Return, plus two XLR sockets for balanced out left and right with a Ground Lift switch, a MIDI input, a USB input and the power socket2.
- Inputs and amp connections: Input, To Amp In, From Amp Send, To Amp Return2
- Effects loop: FX loop Send, FX loop left and right Return, stereo2
- Outputs: Headphone out, 2x XLR balanced out left and right with Ground Lift12
- Control connections: MIDI input, USB input for the proprietary editing app designed by Synergy12
- Presets: Supported1
The two published power figures disagree. Guitar World gives 12V DC at 800mA2, while Gearnews reported in December 2025 that the pedal draws 1A at 9 volts3. Either way, this is a high current draw for a pedal, so plan your power supply accordingly rather than assuming a standard 9V, low-current output will run it.
Price
Guitar World lists the pedal at $599 USD, with UK and EU prices of £599 and €6992. Gearnews reported $589.00 USD, also given as £535.00 and 629.00€, in December 20253. The two published US figures differ by $10, so both are given here.
What reviewers said
Guitar World gave the pedal a five-star usability rating, finding no learning curve and that it simply works2. Gearnews' Julian Schmauch's verdict on its amp likeness was quoted above: the channels sound alarmingly similar to the MKII amp they are modeled after3.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
That Pedal Show
Pete Thorn
News
Questions
What tubes does the Tone King Imperial Tube Preamp use?
It uses three 12AX7 tubes. The circuit is voiced after Tone King's namesake amp, the Imperial, and Guitar World reports it is claimed to feature the exact same preamp and phase inverter topology as the Imperial MK II amplifier.
Does the Tone King Imperial Tube Preamp have MIDI?
Yes. It has a MIDI input, and it supports presets. There is also a USB input for linking to the proprietary editing app, which Guitar World says was designed by Synergy, the modular amp company.
Does the Tone King Imperial Tube Preamp have XLR outputs?
Yes. It has two XLR sockets, a balanced out for left and right, each with a Ground Lift switch. That makes it usable as a stereo recording or direct interface source alongside its amp connections.
Can the Tone King Imperial Tube Preamp be used with headphones?
Yes. It has a dedicated headphone output among its quarter-inch sockets, so you can practice silently while still running the valve preamp, reverb and tremolo circuits.
How much does the Tone King Imperial Tube Preamp cost?
Guitar World lists it at $599 USD, also given as £599 in the UK and €699 in the EU. Gearnews reported a price of $589.00 USD in December 2025, so the two published figures differ slightly.
Does the Tone King Imperial Tube Preamp have a cab simulator?
Yes. It has a 3-way cab sim switch for extra coloring options, something Delicious Audio notes is not present on the original Imperial amp. It sits alongside the Attenuator and Volume controls on the channels.
Sources (3)
- Tone King Imperial Tube Preamp Pedal, Delicious Audio, 2026-02-19
- Tone King Imperial Tri Tube Preamp review, Guitar World, 2025-07-02
- The 5 Best Effects Pedals of 2025: From Perfect Beginner Tool to Premium Boutique Effect, gearnews.com, 2025-12-15
