Avalon M5

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave S.
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Dave S.

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I am looking to upgrade my preamp. Since much of my recording is trumpet and flute, jazz and classical, I am looking for a natural sound and have my eye on the Avalon M5. Anyone who has used one, how do you like it?
Dave
 
The M5 is a wonderfully clean preamp which you will certainly enjoy using. The new dual channel Avalon has a similar sound, but with the additional feature of variable input impedence, which may be especially useful if you are using ribbon mics. Obviously, more money though.

In the same category, for a little less money, you might want to look at the single channel John Hardy.
 
Most of the time I only record one track at a time, mono. But it is true that sometimes I use 2 different mics and blend the sound.
I do use a ribbon mic (a Royer R122). Can you tell me what the advantage is to having variable input impedence? Or point me to where I can find out? Thanks.
Dave
 
Dave, the Royer 122 would be the exception.

With traditionally designed ribbon mics (not yours) the output from the mic tends to be very low compared to a phantom powered condenser.

This means you have to crank your preamp to get an appropriately hot signal, but by cranking the preamp you are adding to the noise floor by amplifying whatever self-noise the preamp has - hence the importance of having a very quiet preamp with plenty of gain when using a ribbon.

However, by changing the input loading you won't have to crank the preamp as high. The VIPRE was one of the first to have this feature, followed by the Avalon 2022. Now there are about a half-dozen preamps that I know of offering this feature.

But given that you have a 122, it's not a critical feature in your case.
 
Littledog (and anybody else), the variable impedence runs from mic to DI, with indicated high 600 and low 50. My SM82 has an output impedence of 250 ohms. The variable impedence of the Avalon offers stepped variable impedence of 600, 150, and 50 ohms. I think the only way I can use the (line level) SM82 through the Avalon is at 50 ohms impedence with the 20 db pad engaged. Does that sound right? Moreover, how will compensating for the impedence differential with the pad affect frequency response? Second question, what is nominal impedence for a line level signal? I know this is a little off the thread, but you got onto something that's very relevent to me right now. Dave, if you just want 1 clean channel, the M5 should be fine. If you can afford to wait a little (6-8 weeks) consider Davisound TB-10. 2 clean, class A channels for $1000. I can't argue with the 2022 either, I just bought one, and it is worth the price of admission, even if it's I/O's are kind of limited. (no inserts, no digital out, no TRS I/O's, no line level I/O's (well, not exactly- see above)-Richie
 
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