Why buy an expensive preamp

[Richie]

It's very interesting to see the Neve 1073 listed as one of the least transparent pre's, yet it's generally known as one of the most desirable.

[ecc83]

Richie,

Even though I had better keep my own thoughts on these matters to myself I think you might be confusing "desirable" with accurate.

It is too new to get on "The List" but it would be interesting to see where the Focusrite ISA One fairs. The recent review in SoS gave a distortion level of 0.001% (-80dB, which is as near buggerall as makes no never...) and a frequency response, one assumes flat, with -3dB points at 16Hz and 118kHz ( the latter figure is madness IMHO!). And yet Paul White, the reviewer states, "The isa has a definite character, it comes over as being quite flattering....".

How? Why? And why is nobody with the wherewithall trying to find out?!

For those who do not already know (I didn't) the ISA is based on an old Neve design.

Well, that's ONE of my hobbyhorses exercised for the night!

Dave.

[FrankGIK]

Originally Posted by Richie

It's very interesting to see the Neve 1073 listed as one of the least transparent pre's, yet it's generally known as one of the most desirable.

Probably simply because it's heard the most often. There are probably more copies of the 1073 design than anything else...it's the sound of music for the last 30 years.

Frank

[ecc83]

Just given the other old nag a canter on Class bloody A!

Dave.

[Richie]

Originally Posted by FrankGIK

Probably simply because it's heard the most often. There are probably more copies of the 1073 design than anything else...it's the sound of music for the last 30 years.

Frank

That makes sense, it's the sound we grew up with and the sound we fell in love with, so it's bound to sound desirable. It's certainly top of my shopping list.

[mutilatedlip]

Has anybody got any experience with the Universal Audio 610?

Any comments? Opinions?

[FrankGIK]

Originally Posted by mutilatedlip

Has anybody got any experience with the Universal Audio 610?

Any comments? Opinions?

Like it, but don't *love* it. It didn't get much use...bass, snare, acoustic guitar...the very occasional vocal. I thought it had a kind of irritating, over cooked quality to it. It's better than ART's MPA Gold, but not by much.

Frank

[mutilatedlip]

Originally Posted by FrankGIK

Like it, but don't *love* it. It didn't get much use...bass, snare, acoustic guitar...the very occasional vocal. I thought it had a kind of irritating, over cooked quality to it. It's better than ART's MPA Gold, but not by much.

Frank

Thanks Frank.

I think it's going to have to be the API 2D, Chandler TD2 or a DAV product if I'm feeling particularly thrifty, then. Naturally, after three years of saving.

[FrankGIK]

Originally Posted by mutilatedlip

Thanks Frank.

I think it's going to have to be the API 2D, Chandler TD2 or a DAV product if I'm feeling particularly thrifty, then. Naturally, after three years of saving.

I'd drop the others and pick up the API 2D. It's not even a close contest.

Frank

[TrevCircleStudios]

wow! We disagree on something! I'd take the TG2 any day!

Originally Posted by FrankGIK

I'd drop the others and pick up the API 2D. It's not even a close contest.

Frank

[terminal3]

I'd go Chandler, then API, then DAV in order of preference, however, if you need the inbuilt converter, that's a nice feature on the API. As I'm using a Digital Konnekt x32 as the hub of my studio now I like preamps with their own ADCs, as long as they're decent.

[mutilatedlip]

Originally Posted by terminal3

I'd go Chandler, then API, then DAV in order of preference, however, if you need the inbuilt converter, that's a nice feature on the API. As I'm using a Digital Konnekt x32 as the hub of my studio now I like preamps with their own ADCs, as long as they're decent.

I think it's safe to assume that the API ADCs would be of a high standard, isn't it?

[TrevCircleStudios]

Haven't heard them but I understand they are pretty good.

[mutilatedlip]

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

Haven't heard them but I understand they are pretty good.

Reviews are exceptionally good across the board!

May have to start dribbling over the thought of one of these.

One question - and this may be very stupid indeed, but here we go.

My current interface is a Mackie Onyx 400F, and an EMU 1212m.

If I used the SPDIF output from the API (which is clearly going have superior ADCs) into either of the above, would it bypass their A/Ds?

Naturally, there'd be no point having great ADCs on the API then degrading them via a less qualified card.

You know when you have a mental block and ask stupid questions? Well, here I am.

[TrevCircleStudios]

Yes. If your interface has digital in it doesn not go through conversion.