Quiet Mic Pre w/ 60db of gain

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gargamel
  • Start date Start date
786 specs

I don't normally push our units, but I love this pre-amp

dbx 786

INPUT SPECIFICATIONS
Gain
+10 to +60 dB in 5 dB steps

Phantom Power
+48V regulated

Pad
20 dB

Equivalent Input Noise
-132 dBu

THD
> 0.002%

Input CMRR
> 100 dB

Bandwidth
> 200kHz

Detail
16 dB boost/cut at frequency
determined
by the Spectrum control
Spectrum Variable
from 5 kHz to 40 kHz

OUTPUT SPECIFICATIONS

Output Drive Capability
> +30 dBm

Output Stage THD
Immeasurable at +4dBu

Earth Potential Isolation
> 200 Volts DC

Output CMRR
110 dB

Bandwidth
>200kHz

OVERALL UNIT SPECIFICATIONS

Dynamic Range
> 130 dB

Head Room
26 dB reference = +4dBu

Signal to Noise
104 dB reference = +4dBu

THD + Noise
0.002%

Frequency Response
+0/-3 dB 2Hz - 200kHz
maximally flat
phase response
+0/-0.25 dB 20Hz - 20kHz

Deviation from Linear Phase
< 0.520Hz - 20kHz

Power Supply Rails
+/- 24 Volts low noise
regulated supply

Power Transformer
60 VA Toroidal in 30dB
mu-metal enclosure
 
The Presonus MP20 has two channels, each with 60 db of gain. I've only owned mine about 2 weeks but I can tell I love this thing. It's very quiet, has a lot of great features like a mix buss, really solid construction and great looks. I bought it at www.macmidimusic.com for $470.

...others to consider M-Audio DMP2 $180

Focusrite Penta $390

Mindprint Envoice now only $400

Grace Designs $650

Vintech 1272 $1300
 
Hmmmmmmm....Vintech or a Neve Reissue by Brent Averill.

What about Avalon's stuff?

I have a $2000.00 limit.
 
With a $2000 limit you are definitely in a good position to buy something great. I would'nt buy a preamp/compressor combo, I would buy a single or dual channel preamp. I'm not the person to ask about high-end gear, but Great River, Avalon, D.W.Fearn, and Cranesong are some of the likely candidates.

Check out www.mercenary.com They specialize in high-end recording gear. Also look at www.vintech-audio.com and check out the X-73. I think this months MIX magazine has a review of it.
 
For $2000 you're in happy land...
Great River mp2-NV... plain and simple... try it out, Fletcher will let you return it if you dont like.
Also check out the Langevin dual mono ($1400) or dual vocal combo, and like someone else said, the Amek/Neve stuff. I would consider getting an API 3124+ too, it has 4 pres in it.
 
Mercenary Audio........have you had good experiences with them?
This is a pretty big investment......they have a ton of stuff!!!!

They actually make the Great River and Langevin products?
 
If you are looking for transparent (i.e. no coloring) you might try a John Hardey.....2 channels around 1700.00 (you might be able to get 4 channels with your budget). And, he has a 15 day return policy.
 
You should be able to pull off the JOhn Hardys cheaper than that... I think $500 for the rack, and $400 per channel...

and no Mercenary doesnt make anything, they just sell it and sometimes have special models named for them.. .like the great river MP2-NV...
 
I talked to John Hardy last week. Really Nice guy. I'm waiting for him to send me some info on his products. His website is in the works.

I was originally thinking about buying 2 or 3 lower budget pre's. Thats a mistake. I'm going to bust a nut a buy something that I won't be selling on ebay in 3 months.

The DW Fearn 'looks cool...'

Thats the hardest part about this decision.......listening to opinions and using aesthetics to make a purchase.

"Looks good, vanilla-ish sound, slight coloration......."

Its like explaining colors to the blind
 
I'll second a vote for the John Hardy preamps. A friend of mine recently got the M1 frame with two preinstalled channels plus the metering options and the Jensen output transformer option. Total damage was around $1700 IIRC...it's less without the metering and the output transformer, but go ahead and get these two options. John can explain the advantages of using the output transformer.

I've been using his setup quite a bit recording some of my music with various mics (RE-20, KSM-32, SM-81, Royer R-121) and it works wonderfully with any mic you throw at it. I come home to my own stuff and sigh... ;)

You pretty much will never see used Hardy pres for sale. Once you try one, you'll see why.

Happy preamping,
TP
 
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