Cheapest High-end pre...

[JuliánFernández]

After reading about the DAV BG1 i was wondering which is the cheapest mic pre that can be called "high end"...
I know opinions may vary about what is a high end pre, but i always thought that 1k was minimum for single channel high end pre... and BG1 seems to be a high end pre to a lot of people and costs 350 per channel!
Any thoughts?

 

[SonicAlbert]

Do a google search for the DAV preamp and read the Sound on Sound review. I think they probably said it best regarding comparing this preamp to one that's truly high end. Basically, that you need to listen to them side by side to hear the finer points of what the most expensive preamp has to offer.

Based on what I've been reading, the DAV seems like a new contender in the low cost quality sweepstakes.

 

[mixsit]

For clean, just take any of the high output mics directly into the recorder. ($50 for the phantom pwr box)

Wayne

 

[chessrock]

Are we talkin' cost per channel, or overall? Per-channel would have to be Sytek @ around $200.
.

 

[Warhead]

I know opinions may vary about what is a high end pre, but i always thought that 1k was minimum for single channel high end pre...

You're reading too many forums and putting too much stock into statements like this. Use your ear, you may find things to be different than public opinion at times.

War

 

[Robert D]

Do a google search for the DAV preamp and read the Sound on Sound review. I think they probably said it best regarding comparing this preamp to one that's truly high end. Basically, that you need to listen to them side by side to hear the finer points of what the most expensive preamp has to offer.

Based on what I've been reading, the DAV seems like a new contender in the low cost quality sweepstakes.

I read that article a few hours ago. Having read several of the SOS pre reviews, several of which got pretty short script, I thought they gave the DAV pretty high marks. I've never seen one of these around, so I probably don't have much chance of evaluating one, but the SOS description piqued my interest as a big sounding mid priced pre.

Anyone got one of these?

regards, RD

 

[SonicAlbert]

There was at least one heavy debate about this pre over at Gearslutz. One user really hated it on male vocals.

I do like the sound of those older symphony recordings, from which era the technical origins of this preamp arose. I'm very curious about it and may at some point pick one up, as it is affordable and the recording I do is nearly all instrumental.

 

[cnix]

I ordered one of these (BG-1) today and picked up a Gefell M930 also, after having a fire sale on ebay to pay the bill. I can't believe that I had enough equipment hanging around to cover these 2 purchases!! Since my music is very clean, I believe I will enjoy this combo and excited to give the new gear a workout.

 

[tdukex]

Grace, Sebatron, Speck, True all make single channel preamps < $800.

Davisound and Hamptone make two channel preamps for around $800 - $850.

 

[Rodger Hartlett]

i wouldn't call the DAV BG1 high end . it only has one phase switch for one channel . looks like ch2 doesn't have phantom (?!) .the circiut is probably your typical op amp based design that wouldn't differ much from the RNP. i highly recommend the RNP in that price bracket. i believe the specifications are similar or even better.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

I know opinions may vary about what is a high end pre...

Not really, it's usually quite clear what is a high-end pre.... where it's less clear is with the gear that is "sorta" high-end - not quite in the same league/price point as the big boys, but not midrange/mediocre either...

 

[xstatic]

D&R also makes a two channel preamp that runs about $500. Before Rodger jumps in, yes it is an opamp designed preamp. It has a nice transparent type sound that isn't really sterile either. It also has very clean gain right on up to the top.

Universal audio now makes a single channel solid state and a single channel tube pre (the SOLO series) that runs about $700 or so a channel. All of my experiences with UA have been their tube stuff. I like them a lot, but they would not be considered a really great all around pre in my experience. Pretty fat, but nice and aggressive. Not a beautiful open top end like a lot of preamp manufacturers are after nowadays though

 

[SonicAlbert]

i wouldn't call the DAV BG1 high end . it only has one phase switch for one channel . looks like ch2 doesn't have phantom (?!) .the circiut is probably your typical op amp based design that wouldn't differ much from the RNP. i highly recommend the RNP in that price bracket. i believe the specifications are similar or even better.

My understanding is that both channels have phantom, but the phantom switch turns both channels on/off at the same time.

There are some users of the BG1 who reported that they get rid of their RNP's once they bought and used the BG1.

I completely agree with Blue Bear's post. It's generally pretty clear what gear is high end, it's the "almost high end" gear that is a lot more open to debate.

 

[cnix]

i wouldn't call the DAV BG1 high end . it only has one phase switch for one channel . looks like ch2 doesn't have phantom (?!) .the circiut is probably your typical op amp based design that wouldn't differ much from the RNP. i highly recommend the RNP in that price bracket. i believe the specifications are similar or even better.

You may be 100% correct on this, but I still liked what I read for my application. The RNP is one of the pieces of gear I sold to help pay for the BG-1, as I found it for my voice and accoustic guitar on the dark side, and I do not need dark!! The BG is a 2 channel, but only 1 phantom switch, meaning if you turn the phantom on, both channels are phantom, a feature that I do not like since I also have a ribbon, so now I will not be able to use ribbon and M930 at the same time through this unit. Even if I find I do not like this unit, it is currently so "hot" on several boards, I believe I can ebay and move it quickly as there are none available on this side of the big pond. We'll see, it won't be the first time I bought something and went back to what I was already using.

 

[SonicAlbert]

This issue of one switch that operates phantom for both channels is a perfect example of the difference between high end gear and almost high end gear. On high end gear, each channel would have it's own phantom and phase switch. Perhaps the definition of high end gear is simply that no compromises are made anywhere in the design.

 

[mshilarious]

since I also have a ribbon, so now I will not be able to use ribbon and M930 at the same time through this unit.

I built a little phantom blocker into the case of an inline preamp to deal with problems like that. You could even fit one in one of the bigger XLR connectors.

 

[cnix]

The phantom blocker sounds like something I will need if I like the pre. I will remember this thread and look you up when the time comes. Thanks!

 

[rsolinski]

Best way to go on the cheap is to learn to rack your own modules or even build some stuff..I have an API 312 that I have less than 250$ into.. total... that will smoke any toob or chip based junk pre out there..don't be afraid of the soldering iron and...you will learn alot about what makes sound great..

Ray

 

[xstatic]

I don't believe in making statements that are too broad. My console is full of "chip based pre's" That stood neck and neck with API, OSA, and my Chandler.

 

[JuliánFernández]

Best way to go on the cheap is to learn to rack your own modules or even build some stuff..I have an API 312 that I have less than 250$ into.. total... that will smoke any toob or chip based junk pre out there..don't be afraid of the soldering iron and...you will learn alot about what makes sound great..

Ray, which opamp did u use for the API, and which transformers?
Did u have to replace any other component?

I´m looking foward to make my own API 312 or NEVE 1272 clone... I´ll let you know how it works...