MA5

[undermind]

Originally Posted by Bradahman

I can't wait to hear the shoot out samples. The Ma5 did not seem to knock anyone out.

Not terribly surprising.. If you've worked with good quality pre's, I don't think the MA5 is gonna blow you away. It is a pretty special pre, but not beyond the other good 500 pre's like the 512, Pacifica, Mono Gama, GR, etc.

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by undermind

Not terribly surprising.. If you've worked with good quality pre's, I don't think the MA5 is gonna blow you away. It is a pretty special pre, but not beyond the other good 500 pre's like the 512, Pacifica, Mono Gama, GR, etc.

My P-1/GR and API are side by side, there is no match up when it comes to tracking vocals, the MA5 stands alone from the other guys, very different as well. Only other pre that i love on vocals is my John Hardy, still wishing that it will come out in a 500 series.
Owning a MA5 is a different story than hearing the shoot out of one on GS.

[Aearth]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

My P-1/GR and API are side by side, there is no match up when it comes to tracking vocals, the MA5 stands alone from the other guys, very different as well. Only other pre that i love on vocals is my John Hardy, still wishing that it will come out in a 500 series.
Owning a MA5 is a different story than hearing the shoot out of one on GS.

I agree the MA5 is a standout, I too have the 512c and had the P-1 and the MA5 has a totally different sound compared with the other two. Every pre has a use, some will work better on different sources than the other.

nIC

[Bradahman]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

My P-1/GR and API are side by side, there is no match up when it comes to tracking vocals, the MA5 stands alone from the other guys, very different as well. Only other pre that i love on vocals is my John Hardy, still wishing that it will come out in a 500 series.
Owning a MA5 is a different story than hearing the shoot out of one on GS.

What's your vocal chain and what is your monitoring like?

I would kill to hear that shoot out. I am not biased by what I own. I want to hear those samples and I would like to hear more comments from people that were there. I am interested in a Ma5, but I am not into chasing my own tail.

[Bradahman]

Originally Posted by undermind

Not terribly surprising.. If you've worked with good quality pre's, I don't think the MA5 is gonna blow you away. It is a pretty special pre, but not beyond the other good 500 pre's like the 512, Pacifica, Mono Gama, GR, etc.

That's where I am coming from.

[undermind]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

My P-1/GR and API are side by side, there is no match up when it comes to tracking vocals, the MA5 stands alone from the other guys, very different as well. Only other pre that i love on vocals is my John Hardy, still wishing that it will come out in a 500 series.
Owning a MA5 is a different story than hearing the shoot out of one on GS.

I do own a couple MA5's and while they are different from others, I wouldn't say they're far beyond. I generally form an opinion over a pretty long period of time. I don't like to shout out my day one impressions.. My opinion of the MA5 will indeed take some time, but I'm not going to explode with excitement over the initial response. I think gearslutz have a tendency to exhagerate the difference in quality between like pieces.

I will say that tracking acoustic guitar has become more dificult on them. The bottom is pretty loose. (now I'm waiting for someone to say "NO, it's just extended).

Please don't take my opinions of the MA5 as bad. I just think this thread has put the MA5 in a magical status. It IS great, but I think we'll see in time (and probably from the people involved in the James Lugo shootout, I haven't read it yet) that it is another great pre, among others. We're lucky to have so many to choose from!

[AllAboutTone]

Well i can say after the dust has settled the MA5 will have its place as a strong piece of gear just like the 512, M-1 and the P-1, btw the main reason i like the MA5 so good is the 3-D type sound, huge round warmth and has a nice edge as well, a lot of that adds up to sound of neve which i have never been able to afford. I have never owned any Purple products but i have a have great interest in getting the purple pants.
ps: If you are running a super great compressor it just makes the MA5 sound even better.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by undermind

It IS great, but I think we'll see in time (and probably from the people involved in the James Lugo shootout, I haven't read it yet) that it is another great pre, among others. We're lucky to have so many to choose from!

Of course it's a great preamp, among others... Anyone who says anything to elevate any preamp to magical status is somewhat delusional.

The thing that makes the MA5 special in the 500 series is the design and circuitry.. not to mention it's a wonderful sounding preamp.

It really delivers the sound of the 1073... which is also a great pre, among others...

The MA5 will stand up to any test or comparison to a Neve 1073... which is what people have lusted after for the 500 series for years.

[johnnyjellybean]

Originally Posted by undermind

I do own a couple MA5's and while they are different from others, I wouldn't say they're far beyond. I generally form an opinion over a pretty long period of time. I don't like to shout out my day one impressions.. My opinion of the MA5 will indeed take some time, but I'm not going to explode with excitement over the initial response. I think gearslutz have a tendency to exhagerate the difference in quality between like pieces.

I will say that tracking acoustic guitar has become more dificult on them. The bottom is pretty loose. (now I'm waiting for someone to say "NO, it's just extended).

Please don't take my opinions of the MA5 as bad. I just think this thread has put the MA5 in a magical status. It IS great, but I think we'll see in time (and probably from the people involved in the James Lugo shootout, I haven't read it yet) that it is another great pre, among others. We're lucky to have so many to choose from!

Hey if they don't work for you on acoustic then they don't work for you. My personal experience is that I have gotten the best acoustic guitar sound i have ever had with the MA5 and the guitars I was using were heavyweights when it comes to the acoustic world. (44 D-18, 46 SJ,66 D-28. We're not talking about Taylors here) On the flip side of the coin for harder sounding electrics, I tend to still favor the 512C. I prefer the MA5 for warmer smoother sounding electrics and YES they have a very extended bottom end. I land up using a HPF at 35hz to 45 hz mostly all the time. By the way, I have been using them just about every day for 8weeks now so I am not exploding with excitement over the initial response. I bought the MA5s becasue I was looking for a Neve 1073 flavor in a 500 series format and I was not disappointed. And for what it is worth, I will shout praise on any other pre I buy in the future that performs as well as the pres I presently use. There are a few I mean to try.

[AllAboutTone]

I just finished a band a about a week ago using the MA5 on vocals, the Acoustic was recorded plugged in non MA5 (thats the way they wanted it) it was used for Field and Stream project, here is a link MySpace.com - CHERRY DILLINGER - GREENVILLE, South Carolina - Acoustic / Classic Rock / Pop - www.myspace.com/cherrydillingersc

mastered at Studio B Charlotte NC

Some are really fun fishing songs, be sure to listen at least a min to all. The song "Shakin" is Killer, "Me and Daddy" is a more serious song, "Nothin' in the pan" is funny as well"

[Aearth]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

I just finished a band a about a week ago using the MA5 on vocals, the Acoustic was recorded plugged in non MA5 (thats the way they wanted it) it was used for Field and Stream project, here is a link MySpace.com - CHERRY DILLINGER - GREENVILLE, South Carolina - Acoustic / Classic Rock / Pop - www.myspace.com/cherrydillingersc

mastered at Studio B Charlotte NC

Some are really fun fishing songs, be sure to listen at least a min to all. The song "Shakin" is Killer, "Me and Daddy" is a more serious song, "Nothin' in the pan" is funny as well"

Killer vocals man.

nIC

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by Aearth

Killer vocals man.

nIC

Thanks Aearth, she was one animal to try to tame, dynamics to the max, the MA5 helped control a lot that. MA5 and a U87

[Aearth]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

Thanks Aearth, she was one animal to try to tame, dynamics to the max, the MA5 helped control a lot that. MA5 and a U87

She looks like a hand full, I dig the black eye.
You should push her towards a solo career, I think she could make, and don't tame her too much.

nIC

[AllAboutTone]

They have some harder songs but did not post them, they normally play at coffee shops with no drums. All the guys are from well known bands from the past, the electric and bass player are super great, this is just a damn fishin CD they got to do. btw the girl can sing most anything flawless.

[rarseman]

O know this is of topic but I had to say something
Just got the focal Twins two days agp and played a couple of your tracks
Crystal and solid
Nice tracks

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

I just finished a band a about a week ago using the MA5 on vocals, the Acoustic was recorded plugged in non MA5 (thats the way they wanted it) it was used for Field and Stream project, here is a link MySpace.com - CHERRY DILLINGER - GREENVILLE, South Carolina - Acoustic / Classic Rock / Pop - www.myspace.com/cherrydillingersc

mastered at Studio B Charlotte NC

Some are really fun fishing songs, be sure to listen at least a min to all. The song "Shakin" is Killer, "Me and Daddy" is a more serious song, "Nothin' in the pan" is funny as well"

[AllAboutTone]

Thanks, good luck with the focal twins, i did my very first electric guitar and bass last night with the MA5 mic'ed on both, i let the guys choose between a few different pres and the went after the MA5. we were getting a lot of room sounds off both of them, nothing close up, worked perfect and they were very happy with the base tracks. Hopefully this weekend i can get another test in with the acoustic guitar.

[AllAboutTone]

I finally did a serious acoustic guitar A/B test today with a P-1 and a MA5, I loved both very much, it all depends on the sound you are after, the P-1 had a nice mid push as we all know to it but the MA5 sounded bigger and it was not just the low end, i had heard that the MA5 was lose on the low end on this test, however i did not find that as a issue.
The MA5 sounded like i was listening to a Windham Hill artist, but hey im a far cry from one of those, the texture of the sound of the MA5 gave that effect.
I have not tried a TLM 103 thru a MA5 but i would think thats one preamp that would work great together.

[AllAboutTone]

I was not gonna post my A/B test but i had a request, so here it is, these are MP3 files.

#1 P-1 AKG 414 FLAT EQ 6 inches from hole pad in
#2 MA5 AKG 414 FLAT EQ 6 inches from hole 28k
FP10 Converters OTB

Guitar was a Taylor 314 CE


please look over my sloppy playing.

[tone delux]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

I was not gonna post my A/B test but i had a request, so here it is, these are MP3 files.

#1 P-1 AKG 414 FLAT EQ 6 inches from hole
#2 MA5 AKG 414 FLAT EQ 6 inches from hole

Guitar was a Taylor 314 CE

please look over my sloppy playing.

nice. the MA5 has that neve bottom end and mid range fullness.

[Aearth]

I prefer the MA5 over the P-1, just sounds bigger.

nIC

[rarseman]

did the MA5 with TLM49 on a flute on a groove project and I like it
Guess when the sax guy comes on Sunday=Avalon and royer 121

[Bradahman]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

I was not gonna post my A/B test but i had a request, so here it is, these are MP3 files.
Guitar was a Taylor 314 CE


please look over my sloppy playing.

The Ma5 sounds great. I also liked how it sounded in that big shoot out. But here is the thing with your shoot out. I knew that the MA5 would sound better than the P1 before I even heard it. The P1 is mid forward... Taylors have a brighter twang to it, and the 414 has a crispy airy sound. That sound that you got from the P1 is exactly what I would expect out of that combo. If it was a Martin Dred and a DPA 4011, you may choose the P1.

[tone delux]

Originally Posted by Aearth

I prefer the MA5 over the P-1, just sounds bigger.

nIC

I wonder how the MM-403s would sound.

[Nu-tra]

The MA5 is the bomb... No corners were cut in making this preamp. I think Avedis would rather spend more money to get the good solid parts then to cheap out and save a few $$$ which isn't the norm for most manufacturers. Manufacturers should learn from this kind of determination. I wouldn't base any decisions by listening to files that were created in someone else's room and gear. I say it's a reference but I would never base my decision on that. I've learned this the hard way. I'm not referring to this shoot out... I mean in general.

Not knocking anyones testing for I really appreciate it.

V of N

[not_so_new]

Gone

[Brent]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

The product might be great but the shipping time sucks. I have been waiting for 8 or 9 weeks for mine to come it.

And it seems that Avedis has just stopped taking calls from my dealer at this point..... It's like I am buying from Purple Audio or something, ZERO communication and no product that I paid for months ago.

I feel your pain brotha'. Mine is finally sitting on a desk somewhere at Vintage King, while I wait for some purple stuff to arrive.

[Halfmoon]

It took 3-4 weeks for my order (one unit) to arrive.

It shipped directly from Avedis.

[AllAboutTone]

Mine took about 3 weeks or more for my 1st one and shorter for 2nd. They are real backed up because of the demand.
I will tell you one thing, the customer service could not be any better than it is, i got my first MA5 and some switch holes were not cut out straight and i wanted to exchange it for another one, guess what ? they had one on the way to me 3 day fedex because im on the east coast before i could get mine back to them.... what kind of service do you call that ?
Im sorry they are backed up on making them but if you have a issue they will replace it that day if possible, they were very nice and kind and appoligized more than once.

[rarseman]

Just finished a session on a trancy beach remix...I ran the TLM 49 to the MA5 with the 28K on the Soprano sax
I have to give the MA5
Off topic
R121 to 737 was cool on the baritone sax

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

The product might be great but the shipping time sucks. I have been waiting for 8 or 9 weeks for mine to come it.

And it seems that Avedis has just stopped taking calls from my dealer at this point..... It's like I am buying from Purple Audio or something, ZERO communication and no product that I paid for months ago.

You should consider canceling your order with that dealer. Either the dealer is completely bullshitting you or he is not an authorized dealer...

Avedis has the best customer service around. I've spoken to him every couple of days for months and he is always available via phone or email.