audioupgrades.com and Symetrix 528

[julius_the_cat]

recently bought a 528 and was interested in upgrades, which have received good reviews here. however, the phone and fax numbers on the web site are disconnected or changed.

anyone have any further info, a phone number for Jim Williams,if he is still doing this kind of work, or alternatives? thanks.dave

[julius_the_cat]

Jim Williams' phone was slammed and is not working. He did respond promptly to my email. the pricing and other info on the web site is all correct and current.

[Recording Engineer]

Here! Here! For the work of Jim Williams @ Audio Upgrades!

I had him do some very nice work on my Aphex 622 gate... I believe it's the fastest gate ever right now!

In a year or two, I'll be sending him my Yamaha REV7 and Lexicon LXP-1 and LXP-5 effect processors! I'd REALLY like to have it done now though... But no $$$... Damn!!!

[tubedude]

What prices? All I can ever get is the 1st page with no active links off of it. Been that way for 6 months at least. Cant just be me, everything else works and always does.

[julius_the_cat]

this link seems to work with listing of probably couple hundred models and pricing: http://www.audioupgrades.com/pl1.html

[Recording Engineer]

Works fine for me... Always has.

[julius_the_cat]

The 528 is on its way to Audio Upgrades. the standard upgrade is $175. "typical modifications include replace op-amps, E.Q. caps, coupling caps, direct-couple audio path, install feedback caps and more."

It will be used to record vocals for my son and his group of teenaged rock'n'rollers who also do a fair number of acoustic songs. the recording room was originally constructed for home theatre use, is nearly sound proof and with existing wall treatments is pretty dead.

He bought a used M-audio omni/delta 66 soundcard on ebay and has a high-quality dedicated computer (details on request). He uses a pair of fairly neutral Mission bookshelf speakers or Sony MDR 7506 headphones for mixing on N-Tracks.

His mics are shure SM57s, studio projects B-1 and Behringer ECM8000s. He also has an M-audio AudioBuddy pre.

It is an additional $130 for an Audio Upgrades High Speed Mic Pre-amp Card. would you recommend this upgrade also? thanks.dave

[SonicAlbert]

As long as you are getting the other mods done you might as well go the whole way and get the preamp. Basically, the Symetrix will be a totally different animal once he's done. The box will say Symetrix on the outside, but what's on the inside will be a whole lot better.

It will be dramatically better than any of the other gear you are using. I imagine it will be great for recording acoustic with Jim's mic pre. You'll probably start to wish for better mics and converters next!

Jim has done a couple mods for me, an Aphex Compellor 320A and a Urei 546 parametric eq. He likes that ultra clean and fast sound. His mods also sound smooth and open to me. I felt he improved both units he worked on for me, as clean and fast was exactly what I was looking for. Good stuff.

Maybe I should take my Aphex 622 over as well and have Jim do his magic on it.

His web site seems to be working, and he's always been easy to get on the phone in the past, but maybe there is some recent problem with his phone.

[julius_the_cat]

thanks for the advice, I'll go that route. another step down the slippery slope. The 528 hasn't even made it to audio upgrades yet (let alone arrived back for listening) and I'm already shopping for sx202s as potentials to mod. I guess I need to take a couple of deep breaths.

[julius_the_cat]

We have liked the modded 528 and its versatility so much, I have a second one on the way. Current equipment is up a few posts. any recommendations for mic upgrades? used for vocals, accoustic guitar, drums. how about an AD converter for the pair under $500. thanks again

[julius_the_cat]

found a symetrix 620 AD converter on ebay yesterday, which along with the pair of 528s (all with Audio Upgrades mods) ought to provide two pristine and flexible channels of digital input.

Any thoughts on mic upgrades from the current stock would be appreciated.