id like to buy a micpreamp for my spb1 a takstar sm-1a.
which one would you prefer?
aphex 107or
art tube mp v3
i only want to record vocals and thus seek for a micpre that brings me a clean,transparant sound with low selfnoise.which of these is better in quality?without considering price.
Full Version: aphex 107 vs art tube mp studio v3!!
Aphex's rep is a lot better. I haven't used either unit.
I'd look at the M-Audio DMP3, the Aphex 107, the Symetrix 302 or the Rane MS 1b. Check http://www.froogle.com for the best price. I know the cheapest price on the DMP3 is at http://www.digitalproaudio.com The Aphex units can be picked up at a big savings on eBay. The Symetrix usually pops up on the boards from time to time.
I'd look at the M-Audio DMP3, the Aphex 107, the Symetrix 302 or the Rane MS 1b. Check http://www.froogle.com for the best price. I know the cheapest price on the DMP3 is at http://www.digitalproaudio.com The Aphex units can be picked up at a big savings on eBay. The Symetrix usually pops up on the boards from time to time.
i am going to take this opportunity to vent:
this friday at 10:48 pm ebay sent me a warning that there was a gaines audio product on auction. a two channel mic pre with a buy it now for $99.
got the email this morning (dont check email on weekends!) and it was already gone.
well damn.
anyway, if you can somehow get one of these preamps (you will have to search high and low) i have to say they are the BEST value in preamps bar none.
first of all for $50 a channel you get a ludenthal input transformer that COST $50! so right there, you could part out a single bit of the preamp and make all your money back.
second of all, it is a great sounding pre, it uses a 3 stage opamp system per channel with a nice chip doing the bulk of the work. it can hold the line against my earthworks pre which is something like $800 per channel.
it has 72db of clean clear gain, with just a hint of meat to it.
this friday at 10:48 pm ebay sent me a warning that there was a gaines audio product on auction. a two channel mic pre with a buy it now for $99.
got the email this morning (dont check email on weekends!) and it was already gone.
well damn.
anyway, if you can somehow get one of these preamps (you will have to search high and low) i have to say they are the BEST value in preamps bar none.
first of all for $50 a channel you get a ludenthal input transformer that COST $50! so right there, you could part out a single bit of the preamp and make all your money back.
second of all, it is a great sounding pre, it uses a 3 stage opamp system per channel with a nice chip doing the bulk of the work. it can hold the line against my earthworks pre which is something like $800 per channel.
it has 72db of clean clear gain, with just a hint of meat to it.
I just picked up a M-Audio Duo from Guitar Center for $150 total.
Figured it would be a good way to eventually learn about computer recording as it comes bundled with multi-track software (Ableton Live 2), and some other goodies. Also for sale at www.audiomidi.com IIRC.
Wonder if it's the same pre's as the DMP3?
Might check sometime, although it's at least the same ones on the DMP2.
Figured it would be a good way to eventually learn about computer recording as it comes bundled with multi-track software (Ableton Live 2), and some other goodies. Also for sale at www.audiomidi.com IIRC.
Wonder if it's the same pre's as the DMP3?
Might check sometime, although it's at least the same ones on the DMP2.
Should have added my DBX 760X has been up for sale at e-bay.
If it's still available and you buy it, remind me of your post here and I'll discount
the shipping a bit.
It's not quite up to the sonic level of any of the alternatives offered on previous posts though frankly. Unless you send it to Jim Williams at www.audioupgrades.com to hotrod it. Then it will reputedly outperform most dual pre's under $1000. IIRC the mod runs $175 per channel now.
The DBX 760X has a nicer circuit outlay and a better box when gutted, compared to the Symetrix SX202, which Jim also does the same mod to.
The Symetrix SX202 is a very nice pre unmodded BTW.
An unmodded 760X is comparable to the Aphex 107 (I owned/used), and either of those better than the ART (less "grit"). Be aware that as the Aphex uses a TOOB as part of the amplification process, it can't be dialed out.
If you go to www.soundonsound.com/reviews and put in key words like "760X", "ART", "Aphex 107", etc., you can read some further reviews too.
If it's still available and you buy it, remind me of your post here and I'll discount
the shipping a bit.
It's not quite up to the sonic level of any of the alternatives offered on previous posts though frankly. Unless you send it to Jim Williams at www.audioupgrades.com to hotrod it. Then it will reputedly outperform most dual pre's under $1000. IIRC the mod runs $175 per channel now.
The DBX 760X has a nicer circuit outlay and a better box when gutted, compared to the Symetrix SX202, which Jim also does the same mod to.
The Symetrix SX202 is a very nice pre unmodded BTW.
An unmodded 760X is comparable to the Aphex 107 (I owned/used), and either of those better than the ART (less "grit"). Be aware that as the Aphex uses a TOOB as part of the amplification process, it can't be dialed out.
If you go to www.soundonsound.com/reviews and put in key words like "760X", "ART", "Aphex 107", etc., you can read some further reviews too.
You can mod the 107 reportedly to take the tube out of the path entirely and forever which supposedly makes it better.
I don't know about the M-Audio Duo. I have used the MobilePre USB which had acceptable pres for dynamics (something not typical of cheaper gear IMO) and crappy pres for condensers. Chris, I would like to know what you think of that unit with condensers.
I don't know about the M-Audio Duo. I have used the MobilePre USB which had acceptable pres for dynamics (something not typical of cheaper gear IMO) and crappy pres for condensers. Chris, I would like to know what you think of that unit with condensers.
I don't know for a fact, but I do not think M-Audio's other pres are the same as the DMP3--doesn't mean they aren't good , though.
I do know the DMP3 is good on both dynamics and condensers, provides nice imaging, and the highs are clear and smooth without sounding brittle, unlike a lot of other budget pres.
I do know the DMP3 is good on both dynamics and condensers, provides nice imaging, and the highs are clear and smooth without sounding brittle, unlike a lot of other budget pres.
True Steve.
You can remove the toob on the 107 and I discussed this with Jim Williams before.
Unfortunately, the gain it helps provide is around 15 dB IIRC.
So would be fine with most condensers, but may not be for applications involving dynamic microphones, especially on quiet sources.
Would have tried my B1, however, it just got sold on ebay.
The room acoustics at home are poor, so it's back to only using dynamics for at least some time. If and when any are wanted, planning to get one or two of
Ethan's MiniTraps to help get things under better control at home.
Shell is probably right, based on some research I just did, thinking these are the same pre's as in the DMP2 (not DMP3). Still they're reputed to be nice sounding.
As my preferred recording option right now is 4 track minidisc (gasp!),
and also likely to be using the Ableton program later on,
"which pre" has become much less of a concern.
Between the prosumer A/D of the MD unit, and staying in the box with a computer
program, why worry?
You can remove the toob on the 107 and I discussed this with Jim Williams before.
Unfortunately, the gain it helps provide is around 15 dB IIRC.
So would be fine with most condensers, but may not be for applications involving dynamic microphones, especially on quiet sources.
Would have tried my B1, however, it just got sold on ebay.
The room acoustics at home are poor, so it's back to only using dynamics for at least some time. If and when any are wanted, planning to get one or two of
Ethan's MiniTraps to help get things under better control at home.
Shell is probably right, based on some research I just did, thinking these are the same pre's as in the DMP2 (not DMP3). Still they're reputed to be nice sounding.
As my preferred recording option right now is 4 track minidisc (gasp!),
and also likely to be using the Ableton program later on,
"which pre" has become much less of a concern.
Between the prosumer A/D of the MD unit, and staying in the box with a computer
program, why worry?
Yeah the M-Audio Duo has the same pre as the DMP2.
Found this out in the review on the Safe Sound P1(!), by Kane Williams.
As expected, while the Duo sounds "good", the P1's pre is rated noticibly superior to it per the above review.
Found this out in the review on the Safe Sound P1(!), by Kane Williams.
As expected, while the Duo sounds "good", the P1's pre is rated noticibly superior to it per the above review.
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