DMP3 vs VTB1

[acorec]

Ah, a DMP3 is $199.00 everywhere. Some have gotten a deal. But, some will not.

 

[acorec]

"I remember seeing someone say that they were able to get the DMP for $119 over the phone by calling a Guitar Center."

that could have been me, i called the san marco, cali, store, got the last one, just pick a store and call, and if you have a prob. with the price, tell the salesperson to call, ed diaz at the san marco store (i think it was diaz, ed for sure) they will match the price without giving you a hassle. I think i remember him saying that the stores are trying to get rid of them. i am expecting mine to show up any day now.

I just got a DMP3 last night for $99. It took an hour beating on the salesguy. It was the last one and survived three blowout sales. I offered all three times $99. They whined how their cost was $119. The third salesguy I asked said that he would talk to the manager. Finally, after a solid hour of hard line negotiation, I got it for $99. I then had the nerve to present my card for my free 10' guitar cable. Go get 'em guys! They want them gone I guess. Maybe they discontinued them?

 

[tdukex]

In an earlier thread we heard this from acorec:

"This is what I find odd at this BBS. People get into this "mic frenzy" about some cheap off-shore manufactured mic. Everyone runs to wherever and buys them. Then, over time, they start to regret their decision. Look at FMR RNP. The best thing in the world gotta-have-it worth 5 times the price as good as a $2000 pre etc. Now, the DMP3 is better because you can buy three for the price of the RNP. Why are people fighting over cheaper stuff?"


Now we hear this:

"I just got a DMP3 last night for $99. Took an hour beating on the salesguy. It It was the last one and survived three blowout sales. I offered all three times $99. They whined how their cost was $119. The third salesguy I asked said that he would talk to the manager. Finally, after a solid hour of hard line negotiation, I got it for $99. I then had the nerve to present my card for my free 10' guitar cable. Go get 'em guys! They want them gone I guess. Maybe they discontinued them?"

I could be wrong but, at least judging from his words, it appears that, God bless him, acrorec is singing a different tune.

 

[Orpheus]

I just got a DMP3 last night for $99.

my god.... my mom would be so proud of you...... heh he, she haggled my Ominirax Commander desk to $650 before at Sam Ash.

 

[acorec]

In an earlier thread we heard this from acorec:

"This is what I find odd at this BBS. People get into this "mic frenzy" about some cheap off-shore manufactured mic. Everyone runs to wherever and buys them. Then, over time, they start to regret their decision. Look at FMR RNP. The best thing in the world gotta-have-it worth 5 times the price as good as a $2000 pre etc. Now, the DMP3 is better because you can buy three for the price of the RNP. Why are people fighting over cheaper stuff?"


Now we hear this:

"I just got a DMP3 last night for $99. Took an hour beating on the salesguy. It It was the last one and survived three blowout sales. I offered all three times $99. They whined how their cost was $119. The third salesguy I asked said that he would talk to the manager. Finally, after a solid hour of hard line negotiation, I got it for $99. I then had the nerve to present my card for my free 10' guitar cable. Go get 'em guys! They want them gone I guess. Maybe they discontinued them?"

I could be wrong but, at least judging from his words, it appears that, God bless him, acrorec is singing a different tune.

I was saying two different things. I got the DMP3 for the sport of it all. Everyone is praising this thing, so, it just seemed to be logical to get one. But, the thing is made in Taiwan and judging by the cheap-o looks, it is worth no more than $99.

In my first statement, I was saying that I find it odd that people fight over cheaper and cheaper stuff. The RNP was for a long time the champion. Everyone said to get one etc. Someone noticed that the DMP3 had Burr-Brown ICs and *bam* The RNP is now too expensive! The DMP3 is a better value. This BBS is a great place for vendors of recording gear. It would be easy to "plant" salesguys to push the latest "cheap-o" gear of the week. Over time, everyone would be tripping over themselves to get the latest and greatest! Hell, I would be the first in line!

 

[Teacher]

i agree 100%...

 

[Rev E]

I was saying two different things. I got the DMP3 for the sport of it all ... it just seemed to be logical to get one ... judging by the cheap-o looks, it is worth no more than $99.

Sounds like you're still saying "two different things": 1) I beat up Guitar Center to save $20 over the already low price of $119 and 2) now that someone has called my on my own comments... the DMP3 looks cheap-o and is worth no more than the $99 I paid for it. If I were judging, I'd say you're double-dippin' with the snobs and the bottom feeders.

In all of that have you actually used the DMP3? Are your comments about the looks or are you evaluating the sound of the pre?

I'm not trying to be antagonistic. I just have little patience for folks who make their snobbish comments based on specs, innuendo and manufacturing locations, rather than on sound. You have a leg up on this crowd, because you have the DMP3. So try it and THEN tell us what you think it's worth.

Es.

 

[Teacher]

I'm not trying to be antagonistic. I just have little patience for folks who make their snobbish comments based on specs, innuendo and manufacturing locations, rather than on sound. You have a leg up on this crowd, because you have the DMP3. So try it and THEN tell us what you think it's worth.

Es.

how about comments about a product being superiour because of its specs? burr brown op amps...or whatever in the dmp3....

 

[acorec]

Sounds like you're still saying "two different things": 1) I beat up Guitar Center to save $20 over the already low price of $119 and 2) now that someone has called my on my own comments... the DMP3 looks cheap-o and is worth no more than the $99 I paid for it. If I were judging, I'd say you're double-dippin' with the snobs and the bottom feeders.

In all of that have you actually used the DMP3? Are your comments about the looks or are you evaluating the sound of the pre?

I'm not trying to be antagonistic. I just have little patience for folks who make their snobbish comments based on specs, innuendo and manufacturing locations, rather than on sound. You have a leg up on this crowd, because you have the DMP3. So try it and THEN tell us what you think it's worth.

Es.

I said long ago in another thread that I would get a DMP3 when it was $99. I got it. I really don'y have to look much closer that the basic packaging to know what the street price should be. The fact of the matter is, I can take a Burr-Brown IC, solder some wires to it with connectors and a power supply, a few caps and resistors, and have a good sounding pre. How it sounds (to me) is not what its worth. I will try it and see. It is different when you design this kind of stuff for a living. I see it for what it is. I am not bashing the unit at all. I just think it is in the $99 catagory instead of the $199 catagory. The Blue Tube I had was built with far better parts. It just doesn't sound good.

 

[Rev E]

I really don'y have to look much closer that the basic packaging to know what the street price should be.

I would tend to disagree. If that were the case the RNP would street at about $200. There's not much to that packagaing. BUT, it's the sound that got folks talkin', not hardly the looks.

The fact of the matter is, I can take a Burr-Brown IC, solder some wires to it with connectors and a power supply, a few caps and resistors, and have a good sounding pre.

If that were really true and it were as easy as you say it is, wouldn't we be celebrating the launch of your mic pre? How many of this "good sounding pre" have you made?

How it sounds (to me) is not what its worth. I will try it and see.

I don't want to get into a long, needless debate, but this is "audio" engineering right? Recording music is about "sound" right?

It is different when you design this kind of stuff for a living. I see it for what it is ... The Blue Tube I had was built with far better parts. It just doesn't sound good.

Actually, I think you've proved the opposite of your point. If the Blue Tube had such better parts and if it's relatively easy to throw together a few Burr Browns, wires, resistors and caps wouldn't there be a lot more "good pres" for cheap on the market? ... or at least a host of good pres that many, like yourself, say is nothing more than a $100 weekend project? Seems to me there's a bit more to it than just throwing some parts together.

MAudio seems to have done it with the DMP3, but they are one of few in that price segment that actually make a decent useable product. I would rather take the approach to applaud a good product and refer it to friends and colleagues rather than decry it's visual shortcomings when sound is what matters to us and our ilk.

 

[Rev E]

how about comments about a product being superiour because of its specs? burr brown op amps...or whatever in the dmp3....

I've never personally raved about the DMP3, because of the it's burr brown op amps. I raved about the DMP3 because of the sound. I personally don't care what's in the DMP3. If it sounds good and I can afford it, I want it.

 

[Gidge]

I dont hear many people raving about the DMP3 BECAUSE of the Burr Browns.....in fact most raved before they knew it had Burr Browns.......and outside of one thread I cant recall Burr Browns being mentioned pertaining to BB's........

it was raved about when it was $199.......so the possibility of getting it for $119 is a good boost.....especially those of us that thinks its good whether it has Burr Browns or Buster Browns...............

 

[shortyprs]

I just finished a project where I took ten mics and sang the same sample through each of an RNP, DMP3 and Meek VC6Q. The purpose was to learn how each mic/pre interaction worked with my whimpy midranged voice. Each pre worked uniquely with each mic. I didn't find that any pre blew the others away. They just add up to great choices for adding depth and texture in the mix. Based on this experience, I'd have to say my own bias against the VTB1 is probably full of shit. The problem in posts like this is that the answer is....depends on how it sits in the mix! Get a couple pre's with different sound attributes and be happy.

Hey acorec, I was hot on the trail of pre's just before the RNP came out. At that time, there was a good buzz going about the DMP3. I bought. For a home user, I liked. A lot of the RNP buzz came later. At first, I didn't like the RNP that much, but now I find it very useful. Sounds like we're all saying the same thing. Its about sound...and durability of the product. It may not look like a brick shit house, but it does what I need it to pretty well.

Speaking of funky plastic looking retro-vibe stuff, hey chessrock, that Beyer 1XN sounds great on my voice! Smooth, clean, clear, silky. Another classic, don't judge the book by its funky ass cover!

 

[chessparov]

Doubles as a toy phaser for Halloween costumes too.

The Beyer M88TG "does it" on my voice, like the X1N does on yours.
Glad you're enjoying it, shortyprs.

Chris

 

[Middleman]

All gear is crap until you've used it in a mix. Only then can its merits be determined.

Acorec finally beat me, except, I got my DMP3 for $113, no negotiations, no haggling. It was just marked down when I bought it.

 

[acorec]

All gear is crap until you've used it in a mix. Only then can its merits be determined.

Acorec finally beat me, except, I got my DMP3 for $113, no negotiations, no haggling. It was just marked down when I bought it.

I bought the DMP3 out of principle. If Chessrock loves it, it must be good. But, I had an easier time getting my Voicemaster Pro for $550. They gave me $50 off with no fight. But, $20 was a battle. The DMP3 was the last one passed over in 3 sales. No one wanted it. It was MARKED $119. So, I thought if it was so great, it would have been sold by now. Always go down a notch when GC has stock that has not sold. I know their game now. Watch every sale and eye the stuff you want. If the thing you are after is still there after one or two sales, then move in for the kill. It works for me every time (until someone from GC reads this post).

 

[Middleman]

acorec

So what do you think of the VM Pro?

 

[GeorgeG3]

Hi guys,

I bought the M-Audio DMP3 at Guitar Center in Hollywood a few months ago for $150 plus 8.25% tax, for a total of $162.38

I know this is not the cheapest deal, but I thought it was pretty good. In case this may help anyone who needs to buy one, I posted a copy of my receipt at my website here:

http://www.geocities.com/homerecording34/maudiodmp3receipt3.jpg

You must copy and paste the above URL link, it won't work as a click through with Geocities.

Of course, I erased my personal details from the receipt, but maybe you can still use it to price match.

Good Luck and
All the best,
George

 

[acorec]

acorec

So what do you think of the VM Pro?

I love it and it is becoming my favorite. However, everytime I talk about it I get flamed to death. People will never learn. I don't care though, let them lose out on a great unit. I spent alot of time with it and found out that the compressor and expander work great if used and not overused. Overall, it is a very clean pre with a freq range from 10hZ to 200KhZ! I have no knowledge of Focusrite's past history and some people just refuse to believe how good this unit is. If Abby Road uses it, it must be a great unit.

 

[Flatpicker]

I love it and it is becoming my favorite.

How does it compare to the DMP3 and other pres you have?

BTW, does anyone know right off hand which Burr Brown chip is in the DMP3? There should be another chip(s) in there used for a line amp. Anyone know what it is?