DMP3 vs DBX386 vs Aphex 207 mic pre upgrade

[amzavareei]

Hey. I have an Aphex 107 that I really like (with an Amperex 12ax7), but it doesn't play nice with my snake and other preamps, having the inputs on the front, and all. Was thinking of trading it out for something similar. The 207 has the ins on the back, so that might be good, but does anyone know how all these preamps compare? My problem with the DMP3 is it's not rackable, but that's not a deal killer. These would probably be used mostly for overheads with my JM27s. I have an Octane, a VTB-1, a Bogen tube mixer I modded to be a 3 channel pre, and an ART Tube MP (last resort), just so you know where I'm coming from. Thanks!

 

[travelin travis]

Make a couple of short cables to connect the front panel connections to the snake.

 

[scrubs]

None of those pres are really an "upgrade," as they're all in the budget category. That said, I like the DMP3 for overheads.

 

[xstatic]

Personally, I would avoid the DBX 386 like the plague. Its a pretty awful sounding peice of gear. Even the 576 and 586 which are supposed to be the deluxe version of those sound pretty darned awful.

 

[tmix]

I agree with xstatic.
I used the DBXs quite a bit at one job and really hated them.
The dmp-3 IS rackmountable. I have 2 mounted side by side in a rack tray. The only drawback is it takes up more than one rack space, so technically my 4 channels take up a loose 2 spaces in my rack... but it gives them room to breathe.

My opinion obviously...
Tom