Why buy an expensive preamp - Page 3

mutilatedlip · #31 (**permalink**) 29th September 2008 , 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

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

Thanks, Trev. Stupid question - mental block.

Hmm. Looks like something worth maybe investigating to say the least.

TrevCircleStudios · #32 (**permalink**) 13th November 2008 , 06:02 AM

Link to an article on the subject added to original post.

Dave Boulden · #33 (**permalink**) 13th November 2008 , 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutilatedlip

Thanks, Trev. Stupid question - mental block.

Hmm. Looks like something worth maybe investigating to say the least.

One caveat to that... some soundcards have, in the past, re-sampled incoming digital streams meaning you didn't get a 1:1 digital copy. I'm not entirely sure why they did this... unless it was cheaper to implement some sort of SRC rather than including the necessary changes for clock sync. There's probably no cards around any more that do this, but it's worth being aware of anyway, especially at the budget end where you might think that going fully digital and bypassing the ADCs means "no conversion quality issues".

terminal3 · #34 (**permalink**) 13th November 2008 , 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Boulden

One caveat to that... some soundcards have, in the past, re-sampled incoming digital streams meaning you didn't get a 1:1 digital copy. I'm not entirely sure why they did this... unless it was cheaper to implement some sort of SRC rather than including the necessary changes for clock sync. There's probably no cards around any more that do this, but it's worth being aware of anyway, especially at the budget end where you might think that going fully digital and bypassing the ADCs means "no conversion quality issues".

Aha - I believe the Apple Mac's inbuilt digital inputs still do this. Not 100% certain but I think everything is resampled to 44.1. Someone please jump in if you know better, I don't physically use them so can't prove it myself.

dickiefunk · #35 (**permalink**) 13th November 2008 , 10:31 AM

I managed to pick up an ART MPA Gold (2nd hand), M-Audio Tampa (2nd hand) and DMP3 (new) for less than the price of an FMR RNP!
This setup gives me 2 channels of tube preamps, 2 channels of very clean preamps and a channel strip which all sound really decent to me for less than £350!
Admittedly I haven't tried the FMR RNP but I can't imagine it would be a step up to replace what I already have for one??
I've only just got the MPA Gold and haven't had time to try it out much yet! I've been listening to a clip of it here with a $499 mic:-

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-e...old-clips.html

Sounds great to me!

TrevCircleStudios · #36 (**permalink**) 13th November 2008 , 10:47 AM

Quote:

I can't imagine it would be a step up to replace what I already have for one??

If extra channels are important to you over quality of audio then you've gone the right route. If quality is more important to you than extra channels, then the RNP would be a worthwhile step up. It's all about what's important to you.

I know Frank has the ART so I'm sure he'll have something to say (like it's useable but change the valves) but my guess would also be that he'll say the RNP is a serious step up. Read the initial post and the linked article if you want to understand why.

dickiefunk · #37 (**permalink**) 13th November 2008 , 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

If extra channels are important to you over quality of audio then you've gone the right route. If quality is more important to you than extra channels, then the RNP would be a worthwhile step up. It's all about what's important to you.

I know Frank has the ART so I'm sure he'll have something to say (like it's useable but change the valves) but my guess would also be that he'll say the RNP is a serious step up. Read the initial post and the linked article if you want to understand why.

I'm surprised to hear that the RNP is a serious step up from the MPA Gold and Tampa! I would love to be able to A/B them!

I will be planning to upgrade the tubes at some point with a Mullard 12AT7 or AX7 in one channel and a Telefunken in the other channel!

ecc83 · #38 (**permalink**) 14th November 2008 , 07:44 AM

Tho' I dip my toe with great trepidation into this esoteric(even urbane!) discussion, be wary of the 12AT7/ECC81. All the samples I have tried are microphonic to a greater or lesser degree.

Ok, yes, I know ALL valves are mic'y if pushed but the T7 seems far worse than the X7. It also has a different bias requirement and gm and so results will be unpredictable. Almost certainly more distortion at lower signal levels.

Basically don't pay a lot or silly money for ECC81's, you could be in for a disappointment.

Dave.

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#32 (permalink) 13th November 2008 , 06:02 AM
TrevCircleStudios Mic Check 1! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: England Posts: 830	Link to an article on the subject added to original post. ______________________________ You can't polish a turd! (unless it's a jettsetty and urbane one!)
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#35 (permalink) 13th November 2008 , 10:31 AM
dickiefunk Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 60	I managed to pick up an ART MPA Gold (2nd hand), M-Audio Tampa (2nd hand) and DMP3 (new) for less than the price of an FMR RNP! This setup gives me 2 channels of tube preamps, 2 channels of very clean preamps and a channel strip which all sound really decent to me for less than £350! Admittedly I haven't tried the FMR RNP but I can't imagine it would be a step up to replace what I already have for one?? I've only just got the MPA Gold and haven't had time to try it out much yet! I've been listening to a clip of it here with a $499 mic:- http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-e...old-clips.html Sounds great to me!
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#38 (permalink) 14th November 2008 , 07:44 AM
ecc83 Super Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 206	Tho' I dip my toe with great trepidation into this esoteric(even urbane!) discussion, be wary of the 12AT7/ECC81. All the samples I have tried are microphonic to a greater or lesser degree. Ok, yes, I know ALL valves are mic'y if pushed but the T7 seems far worse than the X7. It also has a different bias requirement and gm and so results will be unpredictable. Almost certainly more distortion at lower signal levels. Basically don't pay a lot or silly money for ECC81's, you could be in for a disappointment. Dave.
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