Hardy, ADesigns, Demeter, Wunder, Phoenix Audio - What don't you like?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JTC111
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JTC111

JTC111

Active member
First, let me say thanks to everyone that's been providing me with lots of useful information. There are plenty of bad choices made when purchasing gear but because of the folks here, I feel like I'm going into this with as much knowledge as I possibly can short of buying and testing a few dozen pres.

I've narrowed my list of possible pre amp purchases down to these five. I already know why any of them would be liked, so please don't tell me why you like any of them. Rather than that, I'd really like to hear why you dislike any of the pres on the list. Don't hold back. Swing them hammers!

Here's my list:
John Hardy M2
A Designs MP-2A
Demeter VTMP-2C
Wunder Audio PAFOUR
Phoenix Audio DRS-2

Thanks in advance.
Jim
 
This is going to be a pretty short thread.

My only complaint would be "I dislike that they don't cost less".
 
SonicAlbert said:
This is going to be a pretty short thread.

My only complaint would be "I dislike that they don't cost less".
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Yeah, you and me both. But I have no doubt one of these pres will inspire me to do great things... just gotta figure out which one.

And you're probably right about it being a short thread. But there must be some people out there who have had one of these and didn't like it for some reason. It may not even be a sound issue. I've found in the past, knowing the cons have always helped me make better decisions about anything.
 
a-designs stuff needs and output attenuator to really gain any "toob" effects, early models has the DI in a stupid place

all this stuff is good

None of it will spell the difference between making a hit and dropping a poo
 
pipelineaudio said:
a-designs stuff needs and output attenuator to really gain any "toob" effects, early models has the DI in a stupid place

all this stuff is good

None of it will spell the difference between making a hit and dropping a poo
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Now that's the kind of stuff I want to hear. The little nagging annoying details that must exist for some people on some level with any one of these units.

I've dropped too many poos in my studio with gear selection over the years. Hanging out here is gonna change that. ;)
 
pipelineaudio said:
a-designs stuff needs and output attenuator to really gain any "toob" effects, early models has the DI in a stupid place
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I'm going to have to confess my ignorance on this. Can you explain what you mean by an output attenuator?
 
Big Kenny said:
Gain ....................
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I've noticed that some pres have just a level/gain knob and some have both a level/gain and an output level knob. For example, the Wunder PAFOUR has just one knob, the Mic line input adjustment, but the Great River MP-2NV has two knobs, one a gain knob and the other an output knob.

Are you saying that on any pre that has only one knob, I'd need some additional gear acting as an attenuator? Or is there something about the A-Designs pre that makes it require it while others don't?
 
Having a gain and an attenuator knob allows you to drive the input at different levels and still control your putput the way you need. This allows you to get different sounds out of the preamp by pushing it more or less but still maintaining a proper output level. Some preamps however are designed to be very uniform across the various drive levels so an output attenuator is not necessary.
 
IME, the majority of preamps only have a single gain control. If you feel the need to have an attenuator, there are simple high quality passive devices out there like the NHT PVC and the A-Designs ATTY.
 
My Phoenix has both, think of it as your volume and master on a guitar amp. (Not that thats what it is) It can give you some interesting overdriven sounds without a lot of volume attached ti it.
 
pohaku said:
IME, the majority of preamps only have a single gain control. If you feel the need to have an attenuator, there are simple high quality passive devices out there like the NHT PVC and the A-Designs ATTY.
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But it's not something I have to have, right? So if it's an optional thing, what's the benefit to adding an attenuator into the sound chain?
 
JTC111 said:
But it's not something I have to have, right? So if it's an optional thing, what's the benefit to adding an attenuator into the sound chain?
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Only useful if you think there is some sonic benefit to driving the gain and attenuating the output of your particular preamp which doesn't have an attenuation control.
 
For me, I would almost always want the two stage control, but then I do mostly rock and typically and after the thicker sound. Having two stages on most preamps allows you to drive the input harder which often times changes the way the preamp responds. If you truly want the cleanest signal path, than using one stage at unity is almost always the way to go.
 
if you are after "tooooooooooob" then you need a master volume, or its pretty much useless

if you are planning to drive your mic pre in its linear range, and the output at that range is compatible with your recording device, then an attenuator isnt necessary
 
pipelineaudio said:
if you are after "tooooooooooob" then you need a master volume, or its pretty much useless

if you are planning to drive your mic pre in its linear range, and the output at that range is compatible with your recording device, then an attenuator isnt necessary
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I'm not sure I know what you mean by "tooooooob." I'm not looking to create any kind of distortion or overdrive effect, if that's what you mean. I'm just looking to get really good acoustic guitar tracks... nothing too far from a warm, natural sound, clarity on the low end and catching the nice natural harmonics that happen on the high side. I can live with or without a bit of coloration but I don't think I'm looking for anything that I'd call "tooooooob."
 
It does not have to be a tube unit to take advantages of different stages in the preamp. The Great River for example... It just adds a little flexibility to the range of what you can do with many of the preamps by having an output attenuator.
 
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