DAV BG1 vs M-Audio DMP3

[dickiefunk]

Hi. I'm interested in buying the M-Audio DMP3 due to what I've read in the threads on this forum. Has anyone had any experience with either of these pres? How does the DMP3 sound compared to the DAV BG1? The DAV BG1 costs £499 & the DMP3 £105. Does the DAV sound 5 times better as it price would suggest?

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

I haven't used a DAV, I have used a DMP-3 so obviously I can't compare the two but it's not usually the case that you spend £x and get an x increase in quality.

The law of diminishing returns and all that.

The DMP-3 is a very nice sounding pre, clean with tons of gain. Most people who haven't heard the DAV say "I can't believe it's anything special given the circuit design and components used". People who have used it on the other hand generally say there's something a bit special about it.

In terms of features you get DI ins with the DMP-3.

I'd be interested to hear from people who've used both too.

Off topic: Where abouts in Cornwall are you? I lived in a little villge near Callington for a couple of years while I was at college; beautiful part of the world!

 

[PHILANDDON]

I dunno. I keep hearing the most astonishing things about the DAV. Probably too good to be true. But if it is that good for the price, then it's probably the best preamp out there for the price. Might be worth a try.

 

[SonicAlbert]

The DAV BG-1 sounds a lot better than it's price would indicate. The thing you need to be aware of when reading posts (especially on the subject of preamps) is whether or not the person replying has actually heard the unit in question. It's really impossible to know what a preamp sounds like or how good it is unless you've personally heard it.

I'd suggest you spend the money the first time get a really good preamp that you can live and grow with for a long time. If you go cheap you will just end up buying it over and over through various upgrades. In the long run you save money by spending more on quality gear up front.

My experience has been a little different than Kevin's in that I do feel you get a substantial increase in quality with the more you spend. Maybe not quantifiable in a formula like "5x the money equals 5x the quality", sometimes it's actually more than that (or less). But money definitely buys quality that you can hear.

You have to go *way* up the food chain into some really pricey gear before the law of diminishing returns sets in. And once you get to that esoteric level it becomes not about what's better, because everything is great, but more about tailoring your sound.

 

[Big Kenny]

dav rox, used it on drums, guitars,bass and vox. I haven't heard the other.

 

[dmbfan1981]

what does the DAV BG-1 run in terms of price?

I found their website but it doesnt list a price unless you inquire, which usually means " you better start saving, poor boy"

 

[SonicAlbert]

I paid $700 USD for mine plus the import tax, which was another $60 something. Shipping from England to Los Angeles was included in the $700. The unit is sold direct from the manufacturer so you are not paying retail markups, which is why it doesn't cost a whole lot more. The quality of the unit is much higher than the price would indicate.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

My experience has been a little different than Kevin's in that I do feel you get a substantial increase in quality with the more you spend. Maybe not quantifiable in a formula like "5x the money equals 5x the quality", sometimes it's actually more than that (or less). But money definitely buys quality that you can hear.

Just to clarify Albert, I wasn't saying you don't get better quality spending more money (that would be quite absurd! ), only that the amount of money spent doesn't necessarily correlate with the increase in quality that you get.

As you said 5x more ££££ doesn't necessarily mean a five fold increase in quality.

 

[chessrock]

I haven't used the DAV before, but I do know enough about the design and topology of the two units to say with good confidence that there isn't actually a whole lot of difference between the two (DAV and DMP3) from an electronics standpoint.

With the exception of the chasis and the power supply, they probably cost roughly the same amount of money to produce -- although, to be fair, a giant like M-audio is going to realize some per-unit cost savings due to volume and scale economies.

But a lot of people really seem to believe the DAV is something special. Which I'm sure it is, because the design, components and topology are all good and should produce a very good, clean-sounding mic pre. The only catch is that one could really say the same about the DMP3, as it is very similar in all of those same regards.

.

 

[jonnyc]

Oh goodie, here we go again. FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT...

 

[teainthesahara]

I haven't used the DAV before, but I do know enough about the design and topology of the two units to say with good confidence that there isn't actually a whole lot of difference between the two (DAV and DMP3) from an electronics standpoint.

With the exception of the chasis and the power supply, they probably cost roughly the same amount of money to produce -- although, to be fair, a giant like M-audio is going to realize some per-unit cost savings due to volume and scale economies.

But a lot of people really seem to believe the DAV is something special. Which I'm sure it is, because the design, components and topology are all good and should produce a very good, clean-sounding mic pre. The only catch is that one could really say the same about the DMP3, as it is very similar in all of those same regards.

.

REspectifully...i dont think there is a catch. The DAV could be point to point wired with tin-foil, with a potato and 2 electrodes for a power supply for all i care. The 2 reasons i would spend the money for the DAV is 1) the sound, and 2) i have no problems properly and appropriately compensating designers for their hard work. Especially when it means developing a peice of kit, with that kind of sound, at DAV's price point. I cant even believe that this argument would be used to critisize DAV...the logic and design behind DAV's sound should be encouraged/applauded.

To the original poster: make sure you have some good mics before you spend alot of dough on a preamp. While there is a tonne of preamp hype on the net, a sweet ass mic will probably make a bigger difference. The evaluation of the meaningful sound difference between preamps also requires some experience to assess things right. The fact that your asking "would it sound 5x better" suggests you dont have that experience (not trying to be a prick here). It just isnt a valid question really. By the time you develope your skills to a certain point...you will know exactly what you are willing to pay, why, and what results to expect!

Best of luck

 

[gcapel]

REspectifully...i dont think there is a catch. The DAV could be point to point wired with tin-foil, with a potato and 2 electrodes for a power supply for all i care. The 2 reasons i would spend the money for the DAV is 1) the sound, and 2) i have no problems properly and appropriately compensating designers for their hard work. Especially when it means developing a peice of kit, with that kind of sound, at DAV's price point. I cant even believe that this argument would be used to critisize DAV...the logic and design behind DAV's sound should be encouraged/applauded.

To the original poster: make sure you have some good mics before you spend alot of dough on a preamp. While there is a tonne of preamp hype on the net, a sweet ass mic will probably make a bigger difference. The evaluation of the meaningful sound difference between preamps also requires some experience to assess things right. The fact that your asking "would it sound 5x better" suggests you dont have that experience (not trying to be a prick here). It just isnt a valid question really. By the time you develope your skills to a certain point...you will know exactly what you are willing to pay, why, and what results to expect!

Best of luck

This has nothing to do with this post.

I dig your user name. It's my favorite Police tune. Rock on

 

[chessrock]

I cant even believe that this argument would be used to critisize DAV...the logic and design behind DAV's sound should be encouraged/applauded.

Absolutely. It was a good design when it was first devised, has gotten better with refinement, and it's stood the test of time as being a marvel in terms of sound quality, simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

The DMP3 uses a variation of the same design with similar components, as do many inexpensive units. Many people are even making their own using roughly the same schematic and getting great results with very little electronics knowlege and limited experience soldering, so yes, I do agree that the logic and design behind the DAV, DMP3 and others like it are long overdue for applause and encouragement.

.

 

[tdukex]

The DAV BG-1 sounds a lot better than it's price would indicate.

So does the DMP3.

The thing you need to be aware of when reading posts (especially on the subject of preamps) is whether or not the person replying has actually heard the unit in question. It's really impossible to know what a preamp sounds like or how good it is unless you've personally heard it.

How much personal experience do you have with the DMP3? If you do have experience with it, can you honestly say it isn't extraordinary for the price?

I'd suggest you spend the money the first time get a really good preamp that you can live and grow with for a long time. If you go cheap you will just end up buying it over and over through various upgrades. In the long run you save money by spending more on quality gear up front

You forgot to add, if he can afford it. For someone who does not have a lot of money to spend on recording gear, there is a considerable price difference between the two units. I still use a DMP3 for acoustic music because I cannot afford a higher end unit (like a John Hardy ). Until that time arrives, the DMP3, along with my inexpensive SDCs (Oktava MC012 and MXL 603s), have to continue to amaze me by how well they capture my two $2,500 acoustic guits.

 

[dickiefunk]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry to ask but have you all used both pres? In what way would you say the DAV sounds better?

 

[dickiefunk]

Off topic: Where abouts in Cornwall are you? I lived in a little villge near Callington for a couple of years while I was at college; beautiful part of the world!

I'm in Porthleven which is about 55 miles southwest of Callington (nearer Lands End).

 

[tdukex]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry to ask but have you all used both pres? In what way would you say the DAV sounds better?

I have not used the DAV. I know it sounds great because I trust SonicAlpert's opinion. My two points are (1) the DMP3 sounds very, very good, and (2) if you can't make a good recording with a DMP3, you can't make a good recording. It is not a throw away.

I have a whole list of "clean" pres (including the DAV) that I might like to upgrade to at some point. But given the excellent results I get from my DMP3, I am not in that big of a hurry and have instead spent my money on room treatment, new recording computer, new software, etc. The DMP3 is simply not the weak link in my recording chain at the moment (though I also have a Sebatron to compliment it).

 

[undermind]

Oh goodie, here we go again. FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT...

LOL!

Yeah I thought so too. It had such a good chance, but nothing really happened.. Chess is being rather nice to the DAV..

 

[undermind]

This has nothing to do with this post.

?? What are you talking about ?? What he/she said had everthing to do with what was being discussed.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

?? What are you talking about ?? What he/she said had everthing to do with what was being discussed.

I think he meant that the fact he digs his user name is nothing to do with this thread.