Okay, I say this way too much, but it is what it is-- The 1, 2, 3, rules for gear.
1. Customer Service. How does a company treat it's customers? When I need service, I do not want to jump through hoops to get it! So many companies today seem to have forgotten about the customer being the source of their job. So Matt, Peter, how will BIZZAR AUDIO be handling this?
Matt: With regards to service, customers come first and we will endeavor to offer the best service/support we can to clients.
pan60: I can only rely on an honest reply as I have had no dealing with BIZZAR AUDIO. But, I can say, they have been very easy to contact, a pleasure to work with, and a very, very likable and responsive pair.
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2. Build quality. I just do not like, nor do I do, junk! Junk is a waste of my time and I have absolutely no interest in evaluating gear with poor construction and components. The BIZZAR AUDIO MINT JULEP pre I have, is very very nice! I do have a prototype and as in the review there will be a couple of things like the metal, paint, and boards that will be upgraded for production. Having stated that, I would have no issues with the single sided board, but I am glad to see them make that jump to the double sided.
The MINT JULEP lacks transformers (as discussed). Remember don't let anyone fool you, lacking a transformer in no way has anything to do with quality. This pre is made with very nice components.
3. How does the gear sound? (And notice, this is last, as always : )~
The way I see it, if I can't get service, I just don't care how it sounds. If it is junk, then I just cannot depend on it, and do not care. So, service, quality, magic, mojo, and sound quality!!! I really, really, like this pre and plan to add one to my rack: )~ I think the market has been looking for a pre in this style, and I am glad to see it is here!
The MINT JULEP has seen use on an electric guitar, acoustic, drums, a tambourine, and vocals, using several dynamic, and condenser mics from my locker. My standard and trusty RE-15 ruled with this pre! The RE-15, this pre, and a Ludwig acrolite snare was amazing. I was able to get a very cool, dark, smooth sound (a darker snare sound really trips me), and this set-up did just that.
The pre preformed excellent on everything. Once again, I feel that this pre was made for the dynamic mics and I am a dynamic mic junky : )~
I used a few BLUE mics, and my trusted BLUE BLUEBERRY on vocals was very sweet and clear. It was airy with no edge. This pre also worked nicely with a couple of my ribbons, on acoustic guitar.
So Matt, what brand of op-amps are you using, and if someone wanted something a bit more
transparent would that be available?
Matt: The brand of op-amps, are all TI (Texas Instruments). The stock model is the NE5532, a 'classic.' While not as fast as some of todays 'modern' amps, it still sounds great. We will be offering a 'modern' Burr Brown option as well, for a little extra. The Burr Brown has a brighter/airier top end response, and a tight bottom. I find it more 'clinical' and not as 'fuzzy' (in a good way!) as the NE5532.
pan60: LOL, not sure I would use the term fuzzy, but that does get the point across, and makes a clear separation. For the record, fuzzy is not my term, I would say more of a sound I was accustom to, : )~ with a kiss of MOJO.
Matt: Hah hah, yeah! Mojo would be a better description. There is this 'warmth' in the mids with the NE5532 that is missing with the Burr Brown, so I called it 'fuzzy' as it it gives you that 'warm & fuzzy' feeling of yesteryear.
Pan60: It is difficult to describe a tone or vibe. Although I feel this is a clean and somewhat transparent pre, it has a nice (as I mentioned before) kiss of MOJO. But, I can live with warmth & fuzzy feeling of yesteryear. : )~
So, what did I not like? I hate this part : (~
Nothing really bad at all : )~
I did not find the pre to be bad with condensers, having a HI Frequency bump, but some cheaper condensers (the ones that have an edgier upper edginess we all hate), were not as well liked in that the edginess was very well heard. This can easily be overcome with a bit of EQ if you have a few of these type mics (as I do, and I am sure I am not alone). I did not see it as an issue at all.
The only complaint I would have is the ladder switch. These are great quality, and I think I will probably fall in the minority, but I would prefer a good quality potentiometer, that's just me. I can never find a balance with these switches. I always seem to need more or less. I need what falls into the in-between spots. Not a real issue, as the mic relationship to the source can be adjusted to overcome this.
If you are looking to ease into the 500 format on a budget, this pre will rock. This, the MINT JULEP, is going to help a lot of guys and gals step-up to the plate, and take the 500 format plunge. A great pre at a great price point.
If you are looking for a fast, clear, clean pre, the MINT JULEP will hit the spot! First chance you get, you need to give this pre a try!!!!!
Okay any last few comments, Peter, Matt?
Peter: Hi there, Pan.
Matt sent me your review of the MJ. I have been moving house this weekend, so it was a really nice end to a crappy couple of days.
I agree with your comments, especially those regarding using it with cheaper, eastern mics. I have found upgrading caps in these mics generally tempers the edge on the sound, otherwise they are great tools! Variety is the spice of recording.
Regarding the rotary switch, 6dB steps can be a bit much, but as a large number of engineers use a compressor as the next step in the recording chain, we saw it as a smaller, rather than a larger, evil. A 24 step rotary with 3dB steps would have been the business, but would have added 50% to the cost.
I have not used many dynamics with this unit. I'll have to break out a couple of them and experiment a bit.
Thanks again and keep well. -- Peter
pan60: I hate moving, Peter, I do not envy you at all with that job : )~
Maybe I will recap a couple of my cheaper mics and see how they do.