Hardy M-1---clean?

[frist44]

The mic pres everyone seems to push lately are the RNP and Grace 101. The hardy never seems to fit into a specific category when brought up. It gets lumped in the "neve"-like pres and the clean group as well. So which it?

I noticed it definitely doens't have as much body as the great river or phoenix-type, but does it bring a grace-like clean to the table. If not, would it be better to have as the "clean" pre in a rock situation.

I realize they are much more expensive, but down the road, once i've bought the things i want, would i be settled with the grace as the clean end compared with the M1.

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[tubedude]

I would take the Hardy over a Grace anyday, cause I'm smart like that.
Its not much more expensive either, if you buy them right.

 

[ozraves]

Last time I checked John Hardy's least expensive mic pre was over $400 higher than the Grace 101. It's good stuff.

Frist, there are several good preamps around $1,000 and under now. Check out the Phoenix DRS-1, the Great River ME-1NV, the Grace 101, the John Hardy M1 and M1 Personal, the FMR RNP, A Designs MP1 and MP2, the Speck Mic Pre 5.0 and the Sytek MPX4Aii.

Steve
www.piemusic.com

 

[frist44]

Steve-I already have an RNP and Sytek with the burr browns. I was just curious about the difference and what it can be compared to. for that thick sound, i plan on getting a great river in the near future. I guess i was more concerned with whether the combination of the sytek and the RNP would be be to have around than a few hardy's.

I've compared the phoenix and great river and decided while i liked the phoenix on electric guitar, the great river wasn't far behind and seemed to excel on other instruments more IMHO. So the great river is a go...

Do most people use a quality tube pre like the A Designs in the same situations you would pick the great river? Something to give that extra body to a track

Thanks,
Brandon