From Fireface 800 to a....? (need new preamp)

spy-fi · 5th June 2007

I´m new to pre-amps and have only used my RME Fireface 800.
So now it´s time to step up a little.
What I wanna do is to bring friends to my place or go to them with a laptop and record some stuff.
Like an acoustic guitar, a flute, some percussion, maybe some choirs with a few people.
Also some bass gtr, elec gtr and synths.
Kinda a little bit of everything

So what preamp would you guys recommend me to buy?
These are the ones I´m thinking about:
GreatRiver MP-2NV
Portico 5012
Chandler Germanium (x2)
Chandler TG2
Or something around that price range.

Appreciate any help/info/feedback I can get!

barryjohns · 5th June 2007

All of those are good options, although, an A Designs Pacifica would be the one I'd go with. You could also mix it up a little, go with a UA Solo 610 and a Great River 1NV, or something along those lines. Would be nice to have one good tube pre and 1 good solid sate to start off with.

spy-fi · 5th June 2007

Thanks for the answer barryjohns!
I´ll check out the Pacifica.

**TonyBelmont** · 5th June 2007

For your setup you may want to consider the API & Aurora Audio stuff, too... All of the preamps discussed have the potential to work well. It just boils down to what kind of character or flavor you want. If you want something bright, the Pacifica is a good choice. If you want more mids... the API's... etc.

Flying_Dutchman · 5th June 2007

I would ad a Pendulum Audio MDP-1 to this list of possible preamps.

D.A.S. · 5th June 2007

If its portabillity you are after you might want to try the BG No.1 - lightweight and in a lovely cartridge. Its two channels and dirt cheap.

Melodioso · 5th June 2007

Great River MP-2NV You'll not be disappointed with this pre... and will likely keep it all your life.

DAV Bg No 1U Great bang for the buck, very elegant sounding, but not very "upfront" or direct.

spy-fi · 5th June 2007

Thanks for all the answers. So many alternatives.
Must admit that the more I read about it the more confused I get

Anyway - I´ll check out your suggestions. Need to order one latest next week.

Tony Montana · 5th June 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by spy-fi

Thanks for all the answers. So many alternatives.
Must admit that the more I read about it the more confused I get

Anyway - I´ll check out your suggestions. Need to order one latest next week.

Will you still be using the FF for conversion?

spy-fi · 5th June 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Montana

Will you still be using the FF for conversion?

Yes that was my plan. But the converters are decent aren´t they?

camerondye · 5th June 2007

I have the FF800 and I went with 2 Groove Tube Bricks and a ME-1NV and am very happy. Otherwise, from your list, I would go with a Pacifica.
cam

Tony Montana · 5th June 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by spy-fi

Yes that was my plan. But the converters are decent aren´t they?

Yes, they're fine - that's what I'm doing.

steffo · 6th June 2007

For the moment I own a fireface, 4ch API, 2ch Pacifica. Bouth API and Pacifica are great but I tend to use the API´s first and the pacifica when recording more the 4 channels. A matter of taste. The major difference to me is that the pacifica is a little scooped (bost in lows and highs?). The Pacifica feels a little bit to upfront to me (can´t find a better word). I guess thats why many peolple love the pacifica though..

spy-fi · 9th June 2007

Thanks for all the answers and info.
Appreciate it!
I´ll try to make a decision this weekend and order something next week.
Time for some hardcore net reserching

5th June 2007	#1
spy-fi Gear interested Joined: May 2007 Posts: 9 Thread Starter	From Fireface 800 to a....? (need new preamp) I´m new to pre-amps and have only used my RME Fireface 800. So now it´s time to step up a little. What I wanna do is to bring friends to my place or go to them with a laptop and record some stuff. Like an acoustic guitar, a flute, some percussion, maybe some choirs with a few people. Also some bass gtr, elec gtr and synths. Kinda a little bit of everything So what preamp would you guys recommend me to buy? These are the ones I´m thinking about: GreatRiver MP-2NV Portico 5012 Chandler Germanium (x2) Chandler TG2 Or something around that price range. Appreciate any help/info/feedback I can get!

5th June 2007	#4
TonyBelmont Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Boston,MA Providence,RI Posts: 15,919	For your setup you may want to consider the API & Aurora Audio stuff, too... All of the preamps discussed have the potential to work well. It just boils down to what kind of character or flavor you want. If you want something bright, the Pacifica is a good choice. If you want more mids... the API's... etc. __________________ Tony Belmont We Sell Gear! High Profile Audio.....PluginDiscounts.com I may on occasion talk about some of the products I am a dealer for in my posts.. and that's OK! I sell them because I like them. Not vice versa. It's more fun to talk about things you know and love, then things you don't.

5th June 2007	#6
D.A.S. Gear nut Joined: May 2006 Location: Hamburg / Berlin Posts: 78	If its portabillity you are after you might want to try the BG No.1 - lightweight and in a lovely cartridge. Its two channels and dirt cheap. __________________ www.digitalaudioservice.com

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is the RME Fireface 800 connected with Firewire 800 as fast as PCI-Express?	Marrone	So much gear, so little time!	16	15th June 2007 03:23 AM
RME Fireface 400 vs. Fireface 800	heksu	High end	10	23rd August 2006 02:42 PM
Fireface 800.	Winey	Low End Theory	63	17th July 2006 10:59 AM
Fireface 800 and External Firewire 800 HD?	Matthew Murray	Music computers	17	2nd July 2006 07:17 PM

5th June 2007	#2
barryjohns Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,054	All of those are good options, although, an A Designs Pacifica would be the one I'd go with. You could also mix it up a little, go with a UA Solo 610 and a Great River 1NV, or something along those lines. Would be nice to have one good tube pre and 1 good solid sate to start off with.

5th June 2007	#5
Flying_Dutchman Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,145	I would ad a Pendulum Audio MDP-1 to this list of possible preamps.

5th June 2007	#7
Melodioso Gear maniac Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Switzerland Posts: 278	Great River MP-2NV You'll not be disappointed with this pre... and will likely keep it all your life. DAV Bg No 1U Great bang for the buck, very elegant sounding, but not very "upfront" or direct.

5th June 2007	#11
camerondye Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 1,417	I have the FF800 and I went with 2 Groove Tube Bricks and a ME-1NV and am very happy. Otherwise, from your list, I would go with a Pacifica. cam

6th June 2007	#13
steffo Gear addict Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 318	For the moment I own a fireface, 4ch API, 2ch Pacifica. Bouth API and Pacifica are great but I tend to use the API´s first and the pacifica when recording more the 4 channels. A matter of taste. The major difference to me is that the pacifica is a little scooped (bost in lows and highs?). The Pacifica feels a little bit to upfront to me (can´t find a better word). I guess thats why many peolple love the pacifica though..

9th June 2007	#14
spy-fi Gear interested Joined: May 2007 Posts: 9 Thread Starter	Thanks for all the answers and info. Appreciate it! I´ll try to make a decision this weekend and order something next week. Time for some hardcore net reserching