the Buzz elixir!

[pan60]

I was ask to write a review on the Buzzaudio elixir and jumped at the chance.
I have been wanting to check one of these bad boy's out for some time now, how could anyone say no.
To start, the box arrived in good order, ( and it was even delivered by UPS, go figure ). The pre was very well packed.
It looks good!
I was really glad to see the instruction manual come with this.
Most of us never give a moments notice of things like manuals but lets face it, some of the individuals buying new gear my have never stepped foot in a studio, and to be honest they may not even know the utmost of basics.
What does gain do again?
I like to grade pre's, as with any other piece of audio gear, on several item's, build quality, looks, feel, service, and sound. These are all important points to me.
You can have the best sounding unit in the world and without good service your pleasure and pride can turn into a nightmare as well as a heart ache.
To start, my first impression on build quality was wow nice!
The detent Gain knob just rocks. I would like to see this used more often than it is.
I am a sucker for toggles, I like them better than push buttons, so a big thumbs up from me on that one.
Overall look's are sterile. My first thought was modern and clinical.
I really did not think I would like this but I do.
Looks right at home, very nice in my rack.
Now it's of to the real test, just how does this bad boy sound?
Ok I run several tracks of vocals and I got to say this is a very nice pre.
I could easily be happy with a rack full of nothing but these.
The sound is nice and open, airy, but smooth.
Good rich full bottom.
The mid's are a bit less forward for my taste on many sources, but thats just me.
This thing really shined on acoustic guitar.
With the pad in you can get a bit more tone but still very clean, you hear just a hint of the tranny.
I like the mute toggle, very thoughtful.
Overall a big thumbs up from my standpoint, a real bargain at the price point it is being offered, makes me wish I had another rack: )
You can get a few subtle tones from this pre by using the pad or the hi/low imped.
Also, very nice to see it works as well on the instrument input, thoughtful.
Let's be clear, in this caliper of pre I have yet to find one that was bad sounding or one I did not like. The pre's in this format all sound very good and no matter what you choose I just can not see you going wrong, period!
I did have a couple of complaints, but I will keep them private as they have no bearing on the overall quality, preference, or sound and they are very minor.

Love those toggles, the mute function, and the detent gain pot.
Nice to see the card was double sided were it plugs in.
The sound was very nice and open lots of air, great job Tim.

Now how can I deal buzz out of one of these bad boys?: )


pan60

[badfenderaxe]

I purchased 2 Elixirs with my OSA lunchbox back last October. My ears aren't very experienced but I love the sound on drum overheads! Also love it for the smooth low end on bass guitar.

Brad

[Tundradawg]

Cool review!!! Another pre to add to the wish list.

[h-man]

I have the Buzz and it rocks hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also have two A Designs P1's !!!!

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Tundradawg

Cool review!!! Another pre to add to the wish list.

thanks
i need to add another rack to fill to may wish list

[pan60]

a bump for anyone that may have missed this

[gm5k]

one thing you didnt talk about in the review was the lowend, pan!! has my favorite smoothest lowend of any of the 500 pres ive heard. this is where the lundahl shines.

[pan60]

i did say

Originally Posted by pan60

Good rich full bottom.
pan60

but yes the bottom is amazing!

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by pan60

i did say

but yes the bottom is amazing!

oops! missed that my bad

i guess i just expected a whole paragraph to be dedicated to the lowend of this pre

[pan60]

i could have