Pacifica VS API A2D VS other sub $2K stereo pres?

[zulusound]

Greetings,
Looking for a good all purpose 2 channel solid state pre to compliment my existing pres: UA6176, Focusrite ISA430, Old Ampex tube pre, a couple other vibey 50's pres and TAC Matchless board. I have boiled it down to either a Pacifica or an API A2D. I have ruled out the Neve Portico because I don't like the half rack space look. I don't really need the A/D converter as I have a HEDD. I would use it though if it was on board. I use my Coles 4038 quite a bit.

It seems most people like API for "in your face" and rock stuff. I do about 1/3 rock, 1/3 clean acoustic and 1/3 experimental/ blow it up. I would imagine API has more name recognition with clients, but the bottom line is sound. Any comments (or other ideas) would be appreciated for sub $2K dual pres..

Thanks.
Evan in Seattle

[Brad McGowan]

I use my API's relgiously on kick, snare, and toms. The Pacifica I use for everything else. The Pacifica I find to be more musically flattering on a wider range of musical instruments and styles, however. Pacifica gets my vote. Their sounds are more similar than dissimilar IMO.

Brad

[DivineMusic]

i like both... but i have to go with the pacifica...
even though its $2600.. have you checked out the aurora GTQ2

[DSD_Mastering]

I'd look at the Great River MP-2NV. Get that and when you can afford it get the Pacifica. Killer combo!

Regards,
Bruce

[tomwehrle]

I use my portico over my pacifica, and I also have the a2d which I use on a lot of stuff as well, they're all a little different from the other...i wish i could post ya some bass tracks i recorded a few weeks back with all 3, but my computer died...regardless, they're all good pres whichever one you go with, people on here seem to not like the portico that much for some reason, so you can get them pretty darn cheap used...if you look at it from options, the a2d and portico give you the most to play with, with little features, the pacifica just has a pad and phase...some things to think about

[AllAboutTone]

I will get my pacifica saturday the 3rd, so i will know about it soon, as far as API goes, its a winner on drums, guitars, bass, non electric, etc, vocals it can be great with the correct mic. API always delivers. i have the 3124 older version.
Hope this helps.
Also i have tried the Avalon 2022, its bland but open, The Amek 9098 is cool for the Neve sound. Trident a little dull.

[zulusound]

zaza,
Curious what your impression of the Pacifica is after all the pre-listen Pacifica bashing..

[E Orjatsalo]

Originally Posted by zulusound

zaza,
Curious what your impression of the Pacifica is after all the pre-listen Pacifica bashing..

I think he liked it:
http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=112722

[AnAverageJoe]

Thanks to a friend, I've actually heard the Pacifica and I also fell in love with... The Sound of the pacifica on vocals is nice clean and rich I can say too... I have not had the chance yet to hear the API pres just too let you know.

[Dirty Halo]

Used both on evrything from guitar to synth to vocal sources and am keeping the Pacifica. It has such a unique character!

To provide context, I also own a pair of Brent Averill 312, Neve 1073 pair, Germanium and a few others, so part of the Pacifica choice is based on how it holds it's own and orignal ground amongst that particular collection.

The API's were already well covered in the 312's (I believe Avedis, who designed these worked at API prior and this is what he hoped API could be in terms of quality). So B.A. over API and to some degree better, but only my opinion.

Pacifica over API.

I would easily recommend it as an early or only pre as well (where as I love the Germanium, but it would not be an only pre kind of thing... wonderful as it is.)

Just one more opinion with some real world context, hope that helps.

Pacifica

-a

DIRTY HALO www.dirtyhalo.com

[zulusound]

Originally Posted by E Orjatsalo

I think he liked it:
http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=112722

Couldn't tell. Sorry I asked!

[Peter Montessi]

Originally Posted by DivineMusic

i like both... but i have to go with the pacifica...
even though its $2600.. have you checked out the aurora GTQ2

Hi DivineMusic,

Sorry to butt in ............please revisit the pricing on the Pacifica.
2195.00usd is RETAIL......MAP is 1975.00usd.

Thank you

Peter Montessi
A Designs Audio
www.adesignsaudio.com

[zulusound]

I think he meant the Aurora is $2600. Hard to tell with the punctuation and lack of caps.

E


Quote:
Originally Posted by DivineMusic
i like both... but i have to go with the pacifica...
even though its $2600.. have you checked out the aurora GTQ2
Hi DivineMusic,

Sorry to butt in ............please revisit the pricing on the Pacifica.
2195.00usd is RETAIL......MAP is 1975.00usd.

Thank you

Peter Montessi
A Designs Audio
www.adesignsaudio.com

[Peter Montessi]

Thanks Zulusound,

After I posted I was thinking the same thing myself!

I'm sure you are correct, now that I look at it.

Sorry Zulusound,
Peter Montessi
A-Designs Audio
www.adesignsaudio.com

Originally Posted by zulusound

I think he meant the Aurora is $2600. Hard to tell with the punctuation and lack of caps.

E


Quote:
Originally Posted by DivineMusic
i like both... but i have to go with the pacifica...
even though its $2600.. have you checked out the aurora GTQ2
Hi DivineMusic,

Sorry to butt in ............please revisit the pricing on the Pacifica.
2195.00usd is RETAIL......MAP is 1975.00usd.

Thank you

Peter Montessi
A Designs Audio
www.adesignsaudio.com

[TonyBelmont]

Both, the A2D & Pacifica are fabulous pieces of gear...

Since you don't need the A/D converter, and I am guessing you are going to want to expand in the future. You could get an API 6 space lunchbox and a P1 & 512c for less than $2k and have BOTH flavors of pre!

Then you could add more modules as you need them...

[SoundUniverse]

I know it's been asked (I've searched and can't find it), but while we've got Peter's attention. Could I get a compare of the Pacifica and P1? I know about the pad part, but other than that are they damn close?

Thank you in advance

[Rogervandeberg]

The pacifica compliments the UA610 very well! I wish i had both. I have a pacifica now and my next pre in line is going to be the 610 which i truely love on acoustics and things that have to stick out. Any vocal works good with the pacifica, but sometimes the 610 gives another signal which is handy too.

They both have great Bass DI's, where the 610 is more vintage the pacifica has a more modenr bass sound to it especially with the pad in on. (90% of the times when recording anyting i have the pad button in)

[Peter Montessi]

Originally Posted by SoundUniverse

I know it's been asked (I've searched and can't find it), but while we've got Peter's attention. Could I get a compare of the Pacifica and P1? I know about the pad part, but other than that are they damn close?

Thank you in advance

Hi SoundUniverse,

Yes, there has been alot of talk about the differences between the two units here on GS.
The best I can do to help you, is explain the differences between the two and what it might translate into as far as sound/audio.

The Pacifica has 28v crossing the rails and has a larger output transformer.
The P-1 due to limitations of the form factor has 16v across the rails and a smaller output transformer.
They both share the same Op-amp and the same style custom output transformer along with the same board design.

Somehow some people seem to think that you can take a full rack mounted unit and condense it to a 500 Series format and it will be 100% the same in every way.
I'm sorry but that just doesn't happen.......well not in this case.

The P-1 comes very close to the sound of the Pacifica but it's not 100% the same animal. The differences (to me) are slight. They are in NO means Night and Day.

I know some people would take the sound of the P-1 over the Pacifica and visa versa.........depending on what your likes and needs are.
In any event the two units are unique in sound compared to what is out there.
They are not a Neve or an API or an EMI.
They have their own sonic signature.
I am not saying they are better but just different, again, depending on your needs and taste.

Yes, they are as Damn close as we can get them!
And of course,.....I would always tell you, if you have the chance to A/B,.... then please do so before you purchase ANY product.

I hope this helped?

Peter Montessi
A-Designs Audio
www.adesignsaudio.com

[SoundUniverse]

Thank you Peter! Yes, it does help

[Brad McGowan]

I have both the P1 and Pacifica and Peter has heard my thoughts on the differences ad nauseum. If the Pacifica is a 100 then the P1 is a 97. If you tracked vocals on the Pacifica one day and accidentally patched in the P1 the next day, you wouldn't ever know you made the switch.

If cost didn't matter then I'm sure they could have been made to sound more similar. But they are what they are...amazing sounding. FWIW--the Pacifica has a blue light. The P1 does not. That makes the Pacifica cooler in my book.

Brad

[SoundUniverse]

Brad,
I see that you have some API. So do I and I'm thinking of getting more, but the P1 is making me pause. Can you describe the differences between these two?
I also have a Portico 5012 , Chandler TG-2, Germanium and a LA610. Maybe I don't need more color and should just get some more 512c's for drums?

[chrispick]

Originally Posted by Rogervandeberg

The pacifica compliments the UA610 very well!

I use the Pacifica and 610 (via 6176) in complement of each other. One's fast with smooth highs. The other's thick with heavy mids. Works great for me.

BTW, I just used the Pacifica to record some acoustic guitar. Sounded great.

[Brad McGowan]

Originally Posted by SoundUniverse

Brad,
I see that you have some API. So do I and I'm thinking of getting more, but the P1 is making me pause. Can you describe the differences between these two?
I also have a Portico 5012 , Chandler TG-2, Germanium and a LA610. Maybe I don't need more color and should just get some more 512c's for drums?

Let me answer your question by saying this. If I started everything over again this is what I would buy (not that it's too far off from where I am):

(8) Eisen Audio kits
(4) Pacifica

I would build the Eisen kits to be API clones, but with more high and low end extension. I would then vary the opamp and transformer selections to make some faster and punchier than others. The ones I would dedicate for overheads, kick and snare would be the fastest and punchiest. The rest might be closer to the original API sound. I would use the Pacificas on guitars and vocals and all overdubs. Everything else would be for drums. I love the API sound, but as you can tell I think it can be improved upon for less money, hence my recommendation to build API variants using the Eisen kits. The Pacifica and the P1 on the other hand are what inspired me to want to change my API's. Once I heard the Pacifica then I knew what the API was lacking. So I've tweaked my Eisen pres to be as close in sound to the Pacifica as possible while still retaining that API punch.

I would wager that once you hear the P1 on vocals and electric guitars you might be inclined to sell one of your existing pres to finance it. It's incredibly musical sounding and has amazing presence. It's smoother than the API and not as agressive when pushed.

Brad

[SoundUniverse]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

Let me answer your question by saying this. If I started everything over again this is what I would buy (not that it's too far off from where I am):

(8) Eisen Audio kits
(4) Pacifica

I would build the Eisen kits to be API clones, but with more high and low end extension. I would then vary the opamp and transformer selections to make some faster and punchier than others. The ones I would dedicate for overheads, kick and snare would be the fastest and punchiest. The rest might be closer to the original API sound. I would use the Pacificas on guitars and vocals and all overdubs. Everything else would be for drums. I love the API sound, but as you can tell I think it can be improved upon for less money, hence my recommendation to build API variants using the Eisen kits. The Pacifica and the P1 on the other hand are what inspired me to want to change my API's. Once I heard the Pacifica then I knew what the API was lacking. So I've tweaked my Eisen pres to be as close in sound to the Pacifica as possible while still retaining that API punch.


Brad

Thanks Brad your thoughts are insightful and appreciated, I'll have to research these Eisen kits, but isn't what you're describing above sound a bit like what an A Designs "Red" is supposed to be?

I have a couple of concerns with "kits".
1. would be my time.
2. would be studio brand name appeal and
3. would be resale (every now and then us gearslutz wanna try something new and exchange what we have for something else) Known brands fetch more resale.

Have you tried to pad the output of your API's so you can drive the input harder for a crunchier sound?

I think you have helped to convince me to purchase a P1 though and give it a go. After all it'll fit right in there fairly inexpensively

SU

[Brad McGowan]

Originally Posted by SoundUniverse

Thanks Brad your thoughts are insightful and appreciated, I'll have to research these Eisen kits, but isn't what you're describing above sound a bit like what an A Designs "Red" is supposed to be?

I have a couple of concerns with "kits".
1. would be my time.
2. would be studio brand name appeal and
3. would be resale (every now and then us gearslutz wanna try something new and exchange what we have for something else) Known brands fetch more resale.

Have you tried to pad the output of your API's so you can drive the input harder for a crunchier sound?

I think you have helped to convince me to purchase a P1 though and give it a go. After all it'll fit right in there fairly inexpensively

SU

To be honest I don't care for the sound of the EM-Red at all. It's my least favorite of the A Designs 500 series. I much prefer the openess of the P1 or Pacifica. There's something about the Red that I can't really put my finger on that bugs me.

Regarding kits. For me the whole point of building kits or designing my own gear is to end up with exactly what I want so I don't have to "upgrade" or try out new things in the future. I'm officially done with the whole preamp thing. I've finally figured out what I like and what allows me to capture the sounds I hear in my head. And that answer is Pacifica, API, and things I've built using Eisen kits.

I often use a pad on the output of my API's to drive them harder. I've found that a little goes a long way though and you have to be careful to not overdo it. I discovered along the way that there's nothing wrong with transients so I've been taking care to preserve them and not lop them off while tracking. Calibrating my monitoring to the K-system has certainly helped in that regard.

Brad