UA610 vs. Onyx

[G-Sun]

This shootout is a little bit oranges and apples.
But, as I needed the test for myself, I might as well share it with you.

Preamps:
UA 610 solo
1channel, tube pre, $700
Mackie Onyx 800r
8ch, transistor pre, with AD-convertors, $1000

Path:
Røde NT 5 (matched pair) > Onyx > Onyx AD
Røde NT 5 (matched pair) > UA 610 solo > RME Hdsp 9632

Not matched converters, but.. that's life

You can find all files, 16 bit wav.zip and mp3, Here
Additional folder for C1jjmod_vocal, Cad M179_vocal, SM58_vocal and BassDI

For the NT5-files and BassDI, the takes are identical.
For the other folders, it's different takes.

UA 610 solo: L10 means Level 10 (clearest setting), G10 means Gain 10 (tubiest setting)

Recorded at -10bdFS (+-3db), normalized with RMS-window 0.3-2s (depending on source)

Please report any errors

[dj.quash]

Very little in it but I liked the onyx more on every clip. The pre's on those onyx products are not shabby at all.

[Balladman studio]

On vocals I prefer onyx but on guitars the 610 is better.

[G-Sun]

Thanks for listening
It should be noted that my settings on the UA610 is maybe outside of what most would prefer. I just thought it would give a clearer picture of the palette.

I've written down my conclusions on my blog-post here:
Geir's audio blog: UA 610 solo vs. Mackie Onyx

[deadautomatic]

Oynx sounds how I expected, like a good low budget preamp. Its definitely hyped in a way that I've grown to dislike almost all of the time.

The 610 doesn't quite sound how my 6176 does. It may just be the tube but I feel like I have more high end extension than is present in these samples. Could be the mic too I suppose. I don't have an NT5 to make more of a fair comparison. I will say this though... I have an AKG Perception 200 that I've disliked for a good long while now. When I plugged it into the 610 side of the 6176, the AKG came to life in ways I never thought were possible for it. It's still not an amazing sounding mic but I feel like it can actually be used for something now.

Thanks for the shootout

[G-Sun]

Originally Posted by deadautomatic

Oynx sounds how I expected, like a good low budget preamp. Its definitely hyped in a way that I've grown to dislike almost all of the time.

Personally, I wouldn't describe it as hyped. But, maybe lacking a bit smoothness and classiness.

The 610 doesn't quite sound how my 6176 does. It may just be the tube but I feel like I have more high end extension than is present in these samples.

Yes, that's what I feel is missing a bit with the 610 solo. Of course, sometimes it's totally perfect, just other times a little more high end would do better I think.

Could be the mic too I suppose. I don't have an NT5 to make more of a fair comparison. I will say this though... I have an AKG Perception 200 that I've disliked for a good long while now. When I plugged it into the 610 side of the 6176, the AKG came to life in ways I never thought were possible for it. It's still not an amazing sounding mic but I feel like it can actually be used for something now.

Yes, that's how I feel about my Cad m179 as well. It sound's really cheep on the Onyx, but driving the gain a little on the 610 makes it usable

Thanks for the shootout

Thanks for listening

[Lalo Perea]

Onyx preams... to be honest they sound better.

[6strings]

Now discontinued, the 800r received plenty of acclaim around here a while back for the quality of it's preamps. Probably the best recording product Mackie ever produced, IMO. Such a shame they dropped production...

Personally, I was hoping they'd at least make up for it a bit by including ADAT outs on the newer Onyx mixers... That would be awesome; a great live board that could also serve as a bonus package of nice-sounding pres for the studio! Oh well...

[Yummerz]

Onyx sounded very nice but I preferred the depth of the 610.

[haryy]

I have both (onyx 400f which is the same technology as 800r) and i have the new onyx blackjack which is supposedly the same preamp with better converters. Wow the difference is big. The onyx 400f is clearly better than the blackjack which sounds trebly by comparison and the 400f has huge bottom end and sweet highs and mids (these are simply non-existant in the blackjack).

[6strings]

Yeah, the Blackjack has "cheap, cheap, cheap" written all over it.

Bring back the 800r, Mackie! (or at lease add ADAT outs to Onyx mixers)