TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 vs DMP3

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SiniS

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What would you chose?

They're both 199$us. There seems to be a lot of Behringer haterz on this site (From what I can see)... but I'm pretty sure that the Behringer preamp as a good quality for the price... and 199$us is the budget I have for the preamp.

Now give me your opinions, and an explanation would be cool too!
 
SiniS said:
What would you chose?

They're both 199$us. There seems to be a lot of Behringer haterz on this site (From what I can see)... but I'm pretty sure that the Behringer preamp as a good quality for the price... and 199$us is the budget I have for the preamp.

Now give me your opinions, and an explanation would be cool too!
Click to expand...

The Behringer uses 12ax tubes while the DMP3 is entirely solid state. The Behringer looks really cool. The DMP3 isn't a bad looker either. On reputation, most will prefer the DMP3. I believe it's quieter than the 1953 and its (DMP3) THD distortion spec is 0.002%.

Someone, somewhere on this board posted something about Behringer's low interference rejection spec -- a level they found alarming.

Home Recording mag did a review of the Behringer 1951 pre/eq. They liked it.

I was shopping a few weeks ago for a pre, or a pair, and I got the Studio Projects VTB1. My next choice was the DMP3...
 
Well, my personal experience with the DMP3 goes against what most people on this forum think of it. Out of 3 different units I tried, they all exhibited noise levels that I consider unacceptable, the pots were scratchy (poor quality parts), there was some hum on a least one channel (usually the second channel), and the highpass filter seemed to flip the phase (which could be fixed with the phase reverse switch, but it shouldn't flip by engaging a HP filter).

Now, I haven't heard the Behringer, but I've heard some positive buzz about it...of course with any and all Behringer equipment, you've gotta watch the QC issues.

For slightly more than the DMP3 or Behringer, you could get two Studio Project VTB-1's, and I know from experience they are excellent when it comes to price/performance ratios.
 
If possible, try to perform a A/B comparison between the T1953 vs the DMP. Check for signal "coloration", transparency and warmth. Give a critical listen to both units for inherent, audible artifacts during operation. Check each unit's db sensitivity ratings and performance with hi-sens mics. Compare each unit's gain status. Judge each unit's perf by your own ears prior to making your final decision.
And most of all, DO NOT judge a unit by it's LOOKS!!!
LOOKS can always be decieving!!!

Holla' back when U have decided!
 
i've used the 1953.. with ecc83 tubes is very nice actually... those tubes give it a real nice sound.. on some things it comes out a little to bright.. but for the most part its actually a nice pre.
i've used it vs a few HHB and presonus pres and it came out on top..
i have a friend that still has the unit, he uses it with my TLM193 and a U87ai.. its not a avalon or anything but its a nice pre til you can afford something better...

o its really quiet
 
I was doing as much research on the Behringer tube series for a while and from what I understand the designs are not true tube. I believe the pres are solid state and then the signal is warmed up with the tube circuit after the gain stage. All this doesn't matter if it acutally sounds good. But most of the reviews I've read discouraged me from buying one. Seems like you have to drive it pretty hard to really hear the tube circuitry do anything. Check out the Harmony Central review database to start:
http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/Behringer/

I consider myself fairly neutral as far as Behringer is concerned. I own a Ultrafex 3100 which is entertaining and could be useful in the right place (purchased a very long time ago and still works) and will probably get a Behringer headphone distribution amp. Behringer is good for the price for simple gear that does not affect the signal path too much. But I would avoid a Behringer center piece or any other piece of gear with a lot of bells and whistles like this tube series. Think to yourself. To make a $150 tube product don't you think there is some corner cutting going on?
 
So I should buy the DMP3 you think?

PS: I also heard that I should pay the same price than my mic for my preamp... is that true?
 
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I think you're asking if a mic-pre should cost about the same as your microphone, right? If so I've never heard anyone say that. I've read tons of pros suggest using a very expensive mic-pre ($2000+) in conjunction with a very cheap mic e.g. Shure SM-57 to get a much better sound than you would get if you used the same mic with something like a Mackie onboard mic-pre.

For your price range however you might want to look into the VTB1 or the RNMP. They seem to be the only entry level tubes pres worth considering in these parts. The others stir up a lot of debate. Do a search on this site for the two. (Note: I use a Mackie 1604 and have never used the pres mentioned.)

http://studioprojects.com/vtb1.html
http://www.fmraudio.com/
 
After everything that I read during those last 7 days, I'm gonna go with the RNP/RNC combo even if it's over my budget, I'm gonna save extra money I think it's worth it.
 
SiniS, I think most people here would support your decision. Even if you're not sure you want to do this for the long haul it's a good investment because those pieces have decent resale value.
 
Sinis, you may want to call Fletcher at www.mercenary.com to discuss things. You'll be at around $700 on a RNC/RNP combo,
so another option may be one of the Toft Audio units.
He uses all their stuff first hand on actual recording projects.

They sell all of those makes, and will double the manufacturer's
warranty on them. Not that it's that likely you'll need it.

Best of luck,

Chris
 
Am surprised they don't seem to offer free shipping on it.

In any case, some expert guidance from Fletcher is worth more than
a small difference in price (if any) IMHO.

Perhaps you could arrange to have both the Fmr. Audio and Toft units
sent to you for evaluation. Many pro's do this with him BTW.
Then you could keep the one you prefer, plus it's a great learning
experience.

Chris
 
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