Vintech x73i or API A2D preamp

[word_play]

Hey guys,

I recently rented an API A2D from my local shop and I am thinking about purchasing it. I've been reading good things about the vintech x73i and its comparison to the neve 1073 though. My question I guess is, is it better to spend the extra money and get a separate EQ strip and chain it up with the API, or should I get the vintech x73i with eq and save some money? My microphone is the AT4047 and I am running everything through the mbox 2 mini and I am only recording vocals

Thanks for any opinions.

 

[oretez]

my advice is not particularly helpful . . . but I think it depends more on which pre you prefer with regard to how it sounds

personally I've always leaned more in direction of API pre's then Neve

primary disclaimer is that I do not own an A2D and have had very limited experience with it so I'm just lumping it in with general mix of API pres not all of which are the same by any means

Have used several different variations of the Vintech Neve clones (or not clones depending on which marketing blurb is current) and by and large am comfortable using them . . . when they seem appropriate. AT4047 should be well supported by either, but I would hope would sound slightly different through different pres

so select comes down to which sound you expect to be more compatible with what you want to do

I tend to track, digitally, as un effected as possible, so other then for diagnostic reasons tend to not use EQ (except during live shows and not even always then) going to disc . . . I have nothing negative to say about Vintech EQ but don't remember using it enough to have anything positive to say either. even when you reach the price of the Vintech I would not typically buy a pre based on anything to do with EQ (other then perhaps hi pass filter configuration) . . . I'm sure Vintech EQ is adequate but unnecessary except it some fairly limited and specific situations

once you start buying boutique pres you need to find, if you need additional hardware, the parametric that best suits your needs. It might or might not be bundled in a channel strip with the pre.