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Originally Posted by Bradahman  What were the first units that they were hanging with? Are all 4 so similar in sound, that they get lumped together? Thank you for your comments. |
Sorry, I missed the before. If you see James' picture, we started with the rack (not the lunchbox) so I think we went MA5, then OSA, then it hit the PA-1. I think I missed the MA5 with Female vocals (sorry Avedis!) while smoking, and came back for 1 or 2 of the OSA's again right before the Pacifica P-1. I guess that was making the big jump in my percieved sound quality was from the OSA to Pacifica.
About the Mint Julep:
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Originally Posted by matta Thanks for the thoughts and comments guys. Pan has mentioned the 6dB steps in the past as well and we will look into the possibly of adding a gainswitch with finer steps and or an output pot to attenuate the signal. |
Yeah, to to say again, I have a bunch of pres and at different times, I find myself going to different ones for many different reasons. I do really like the Red 1 for somethings, and it is Lundahl transformer based, and I think it sounds leagues better than say the Precision 8, which is nice, yet transformerless. So I have become biased that transformerless is not good. Which is dumb, because I have some moded pres with discrete outs that are about my favorite sounding. So when I heard the Mint Julep, maybe I was expecting "less," but I didn't get it, nice job.
When planning the MX-1 (VSI M-1 in the shootout, but I think we are changing the name to not confuse with Mr. Hardy's products), we decided to go with Greyhills too. The block diagram is basically Pad->Input X-former->Greyhill stepped attenuator->OpAmp->Line drive (level) pot->output transformer. We ramped the steps, with the first 5 steps bing 5 db steps, the next 5 being 3 db steps. I am not sure if I like that or the even 6 db steps (like Red 1) or not, but leaving it at "0" is no attenuation. It is useful for drums and such, to avoid overloading the block with transients, but I really like the linear taper pot for the output! Seeing that you are considering this option pleases me.
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Originally Posted by lrieves Man, Kronos has really got my engine revvin'! it's exciting because i love the sound of my biz, so i can't wait to hear what a mono gama or api will do to my collection! |
I got my first API just to compare to the M-1 prototypes. Actually, VSI Audio bought it and asked me to eBay it at the end. I just bought it, then I needed a pair, now I have 4. I have been using them on more and more things lately and I really think their forte is bass and drums, especially toms! I like it on my voice, and one female singer I work will, but on others it ends up being too thin and brittle sounding. I guess that is where the 550b comes in. I use my VSI stuff for kick and snare (after extensive A/B with 512c, both are great, but IMO better low end with the M-1).
The Mono Gama is a different animal altogether. It seemed to be a more rounded unit to me in terms of uses. I would like to pick up a pair at some point. They are still not #1 on the wish list in that group though.
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Originally Posted by Lynn Fuston Although gray/grey WITH a VU meter definitely caught my eye. |
Yes, that meter is a modification to an already proven design built by a respected and established company. Actually, all that changed was the housing/bezel. VSI had the first prototype and it was to be used in the M-3 (or MX-3, I'm confused). The meter is now being mass produced. Hopefully, tonight or tomorrow I will have pictures to post of the M-3 with the new VU's. As we await our ciruit cards R and D continues! The "old" board were modded yet again and I plan to do some audio tests tonight.
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Originally Posted by JTC111 I've seen at least one manufacturer of a 500 module thank API on their website. |
VSI Audio has that, I don't remember who else. But, VSI is not a VPR member yet.