MA5

AllAboutTone · 25th March 2008, 03:06 PM

Why is the production of the MA5s so slow, ive had sessions that i really would have love to had one in the box and the days keep passing by, I guess im impatience, its been 2 weeks and counting.

Akoppenheffer · 25th March 2008, 03:34 PM

I'd say, because they sound great and they're in demand. That one thread that was like 7 pages of people with lunchboxes full of MA5s, haha, that's who has your MA5!! The wait will be worth it though, it's a great pre.

chickencoop · 25th March 2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

Why is the production of the MA5s so slow, ive had sessions that i really would have love to had one in the box and the days keep passing by, I guess im impatience, its been 2 weeks and counting.

Mine is coming tomorrow, which will make about a month plus a few days of waiting. The log jam seems to be the Jensen transformer which is custom made. Supplies of those have apparently been trickling into Avedis, so his output has been limited similarly.

Brent · 25th March 2008, 04:03 PM

Mines about 2? Weeks out still...

ProducerBoy · 25th March 2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

Why is the production of the MA5s so slow, ive had sessions that i really would have love to had one in the box and the days keep passing by, I guess im impatience, its been 2 weeks and counting.

Avedis had to wait on Jenson.

not_so_new · 25th March 2008, 06:19 PM

Two weeks?!?!?!?!

I waited 6 months for my Tonelux rig to come in. I waited almost a year for the Lynx AES16e card until I gave up. I know that Roundbadge waited like a year and a half for his GTM-822 from Aurora Audio and wait times for many Shadow Hills products are 6 months or more.

We are dealing with small companies here. I hate that the availability is like this but I don't think we can do anything about that. Deal with the quirks of small boutique companies or purchase gear from larger places. That or don't buy the new HOT item, there are plenty of things out there that sound great and are in stock because they are not as "hip and cool."

soundsgood · 25th March 2008, 10:34 PM

I don't know if I just picked the right vendor or what, but I got my MA5's three weeks after purchase. However, after using them I would have waited three months. I am completely blown away by both the sonic and build quality, and to top it all off, it looks cool!

**TonyBelmont** · 25th March 2008, 11:39 PM

We have been consistently back ordered 2-3 weeks for months now... Many other dealers have had wait times of up to 2-3 months.

Every once in a while, we'll get a couple of modules that will pop through with less than 2 weeks wait time. The wait times are almost always having something to do with the Jensen output transformer availability. They are a special transformer and have to be made via a certain process that is both time consuming and tedious. Therefore, they are only able to deliver the transformers in small quantities...

We have been extremely lucky that we placed massive orders for MA5's at the beginning and have gotten bigger allotments than others. I hope some day in the near future we will have them more readily available.

Quote:

Originally Posted by not_so_new

...or don't buy the new HOT item, there are plenty of things out there that sound great and are in stock because they are not as "hip and cool."

There is nothing new or used like the MA5 and it's not because it's the new hip or cool item (but they are definitely HOT). I actually hope that people don't think it's hip or cool..... but rather a great sounding unit. It doesn't need hype or labels. They are great units which fill a unique niche in the 500 series.

AllAboutTone · 26th March 2008, 01:56 AM

Thanks Tony for the email and update as well.

bobwarren · 26th March 2008, 02:44 AM

Tony is correct about the hip, cool, or IN factor; these things sound three times their cost IMHO. Two bits of advice- 1) THE WAIT IS WORTH IT! 2) GET TWO FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! They sound amazing! Thanks again, Tony.

not_so_new · 26th March 2008, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

There is nothing new or used like the MA5 and it's not because it's the new hip or cool item (but they are definitely HOT). I actually hope that people don't think it's hip or cool..... but rather a great sounding unit. It doesn't need hype or labels. They are great units which fill a unique niche in the 500 series.

Hey Tony

I am actually on the list to get a pair so I sure hope it's just a great sounding unit. That said, I think you misunderstand my point.

There are all sorts of GREAT sounding units that are equally as hot and hyped. To me that is not a negative really. When something new comes out people get exited, that's human nature right?

The real test of how good a unit is is how long it lasts after the hype. I look at the Great River MP-2NV as a good example of that, or the EL Distressor. Both units that have transcended the hype to become legendary but there is no doubt about it each had it's day in the hype machine.

Again, I don't think it is a negative that the MA5 is getting a lot of hype and it is pretty darm hard to deny that it isn't hyped pretty big right now.

In the end the hype means nothing at all, it's about how good the unit sounds and all the hype in the world isn't going to change that outcome.

AllAboutTone · 26th March 2008, 03:40 AM

I agree all about the hype thing with any preamp, pre or post use, but i bought the MA5 because it suppose to have a 1073 sound~ish to it. Otherwise i might have waited to see how the unit played out.....My lunch box has a vacant hole and is waiting on the MA5 to mix with my P-1s and ugly but killer OSAs..lol

**TonyBelmont** · 26th March 2008, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by not_so_new

Hey Tony

I am actually on the list to get a pair so I sure hope it's just a great sounding unit. That said, I think you misunderstand my point.

There are all sorts of GREAT sounding units that are equally as hot and hyped. To me that is not a negative really. When something new comes out people get exited, that's human nature right?

The real test of how good a unit is is how long it lasts after the hype. I look at the Great River MP-2NV as a good example of that, or the EL Distressor. Both units that have transcended the hype to become legendary but there is no doubt about it each had it's day in the hype machine.

Again, I don't think it is a negative that the MA5 is getting a lot of hype and it is pretty darm hard to deny that it isn't hyped pretty big right now.

In the end the hype means nothing at all, it's about how good the unit sounds and all the hype in the world isn't going to change that outcome.

When I hear the word hype in relation to GS, I unfortunately think of people raving about their first piece of decent gear like it was a gift from God. It happens all too often... Thread titles like "The xyz Preamp kills", or "The 1234 mic pre is out of this world" are pretty common and somewhat hard to read for me. The only people who really respond are the guys who are either A. justifying their own purchases of xyz or 123, so they feel better about themselves (ego stroking... I call them the "justifiers") or B. the guys who are curious about the piece of gear and are asking these same "justifiers" for advice. And generally, that piece of gear is lackluster, hence the need for hype. I think 90% of the people here can spot these threads a mile away (or at least I hope they can)... This is what I think of when I think of the word "hype".

Everything is different with the MA5.... There's no newbies running around like 4 year olds on a sugar binge....

I don't see the MA5 as a hyped product in any way.... It's a HOT product and a special piece of gear for the 500 series. Put it up against any preamp in your rack and it will not disappoint. I encourage people to compare it and see for themselves.

Aearth · 26th March 2008, 07:19 AM

Well there's no BS about the MA5, I have two of them and all the so called hype is true. I don't know if they sound like a real vintage 1073 because I have not compared them, but I did run the MA5 against my Ltd-1 (EQ out). I prefered the MA5 more than my Ltd-1.........MA5 was a bit tighter on the bottom end. Now how much more did the LTD-1 cost?

nIC

AllAboutTone · 26th March 2008, 12:48 PM

Sounds great, i have never heard the Ltd-1 to compare, i did own a germ and really was not my taste, a little to round and smooth, you might say almost to smooth, So i imagine the Ltd-1 a lot different from the germ. I was just looking for some neve~ish sound in a lunch box w/o paying the neve price.

seanmccoy · 26th March 2008, 08:14 PM

So if one had to sum up the difference between the 512 and MA5, would it be that the API is aggressive and the Avedis is aggressiv-er? What preamps are people putting in their lunchboxes when they want high transparency, say for acoustic or classical stuff? Or will the 512 and MA5 cover that just as well, with only the mic and technique changing?

**TonyBelmont** · 26th March 2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanmccoy

So if one had to sum up the difference between the 512 and MA5, would it be that the API is aggressive and the Avedis is aggressiv-er?

API: Puncy, mid forward, aggressive...

MA5: Bigger, rounder, Neve 1073 style...

Extremely different sounding and complimentary.

soundsgood · 26th March 2008, 11:45 PM

Tony summed it up pretty well. The bottom end of the MA5 is absolutely amazing. Both units have a big mid range, but the MA5 has a bit more bite while the API has more presence if that makes sense.

pan60 · 27th March 2008, 09:34 PM

don't get impatient guys and gal's, you must remember at time manufactures are held hostage to suppliers.

so have some Patience

so have some Patience

Audio Hombre · 27th March 2008, 10:01 PM

im sure B is pretty happy he's a dealer for these. of all the 500 pres, these have spiked my interest the most.

Aearth · 27th March 2008, 10:25 PM

I think the MA5 will be in demand for a long time to come so the wait will be long as well.......but worth it.

nIC

ProducerBoy · 28th March 2008, 05:53 AM

I am blown away by the MA5s. If I were to only have one choice for preamp, it would be a pair of MA5s... hands down. Well worth the wait.

(ok...here's my embarrassing gush)
I love that they are not just another Neve clone. They have an obvious Neve color, but there is a superb presence (hello 28k button!) and punchiness (eye opening low end punch!) that is unique... yet familiar (sounds like...ehhh, a record.). Lower the gain & set the output at 0 and it is so smooth, crank the gain and you are now inches from the source! Guitars, vocals, bass, synths, piano, drums, entire mixes... even a plastic casio sk-1 sounds warm and round though these!

ok....I'll stop...

(now, if only Avedis would design a 500 series comp)

danasti · 28th March 2008, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

When I hear the word hype in relation to GS, I unfortunately think of people raving about their first piece of decent gear like it was a gift from God. It happens all too often... Thread titles like "The xyz Preamp kills", or "The 1234 mic pre is out of this world" are pretty common and somewhat hard to read for me. The only people who really respond are the guys who are either A. justifying their own purchases of xyz or 123, so they feel better about themselves (ego stroking... I call them the "justifiers") or B. the guys who are curious about the piece of gear and are asking these same "justifiers" for advice. And generally, that piece of gear is lackluster, hence the need for hype. I think 90% of the people here can spot these threads a mile away (or at least I hope they can)... This is what I think of when I think of the word "hype".

That about sums it

.

johnnyjellybean · 28th March 2008, 01:11 PM

I tracked acoustic guitars with the MA5 yesterday and it was the 1st time I really used the 28K switch. It is wonderful for that application. You could hear the pick hitting the strings like your ear was 2" away!

AllAboutTone · 29th March 2008, 02:27 PM

I only ordered one but im gonna kick myself in the ass if they sound as great as the hype, damn i will have to wait all over again and now its almost 3 weeks and waiting.

tws · 31st March 2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyjellybean

I tracked acoustic guitars with the MA5 yesterday and it was the 1st time I really used the 28K switch. It is wonderful for that application. You could hear the pick hitting the strings like your ear was 2" away!

I just got my pair today and used it for some acoustic guitar as well. I'm really, really impressed with this unit and would highly recommend it to everyone.

s.d.finley · 31st March 2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProducerBoy

I am blown away by the MA5s. If I were to only have one choice for preamp, it would be a pair of MA5s... hands down. Well worth the wait.

(ok...here's my embarrassing gush)
I love that they are not just another Neve clone. They have an obvious Neve color, but there is a superb presence (hello 28k button!) and punchiness (eye opening low end punch!) that is unique... yet familiar (sounds like...ehhh, a record.). Lower the gain & set the output at 0 and it is so smooth, crank the gain and you are now inches from the source! Guitars, vocals, bass, synths, piano, drums, entire mixes... even a plastic casio sk-1 sounds warm and round though these!

ok....I'll stop...

(now, if only Avedis would design a 500 series comp)

Hey PB,

wanna comeby my studio with your MA5s? We can do a little 500 series shoot out! I have quite a few modules to compare!

rarseman · 31st March 2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tws

I just got my pair today and used it for some acoustic guitar as well. I'm really, really impressed with this unit and would highly recommend it to everyone.

Me jealous

Still await for one

ProducerBoy · 31st March 2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s.d.finley

Hey PB,

wanna comeby my studio with your MA5s? We can do a little 500 series shoot out! I have quite a few modules to compare!

Oh yeah man. I see you've got a nice collection of 500 pres. We might have to work something out!

AllAboutTone · 3rd April 2008, 03:32 PM

I keep reading all these cool post about the MA5...... Well mine is less than 24 hrs away on a fedex truck, just in time for some female vocals that are hard to control this weekend, lets put the MA5 up to the real test, btw i am so happy that i went 500 series, its really opened up a entire can of worms.
also has anyone tried the MA5 on a kick drum or bass ?

25th March 2008, 03:06 PM	#1
AllAboutTone Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,469	MA5 Why is the production of the MA5s so slow, ive had sessions that i really would have love to had one in the box and the days keep passing by, I guess im impatience, its been 2 weeks and counting. __________________ I can never be Happy again unless our city get a Hockey team back Music and Hockey is my life, 1/2 is gone.

25th March 2008, 03:34 PM	#2
Akoppenheffer Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 354	I'd say, because they sound great and they're in demand. That one thread that was like 7 pages of people with lunchboxes full of MA5s, haha, that's who has your MA5!! The wait will be worth it though, it's a great pre. __________________ -Alex

25th March 2008, 04:03 PM	#4
Brent Gear addict Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 449	Mines about 2? Weeks out still... __________________ Loud Wars Episode IV - A new hope ...I find your lack of dynamics disturbing...

25th March 2008, 06:19 PM	#6
not_so_new Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,558	Two weeks?!?!?!?! I waited 6 months for my Tonelux rig to come in. I waited almost a year for the Lynx AES16e card until I gave up. I know that Roundbadge waited like a year and a half for his GTM-822 from Aurora Audio and wait times for many Shadow Hills products are 6 months or more. We are dealing with small companies here. I hate that the availability is like this but I don't think we can do anything about that. Deal with the quirks of small boutique companies or purchase gear from larger places. That or don't buy the new HOT item, there are plenty of things out there that sound great and are in stock because they are not as "hip and cool." __________________ "As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." H.L. Mencken 1880 - 1956 ____________________________________________ Michael

26th March 2008, 01:56 AM	#9
AllAboutTone Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,469	Thanks Tony for the email and update as well. __________________ I can never be Happy again unless our city get a Hockey team back Music and Hockey is my life, 1/2 is gone.

25th March 2008, 10:34 PM	#7
soundsgood Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 39	I don't know if I just picked the right vendor or what, but I got my MA5's three weeks after purchase. However, after using them I would have waited three months. I am completely blown away by both the sonic and build quality, and to top it all off, it looks cool!

26th March 2008, 02:44 AM	#10
bobwarren Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 683	Tony is correct about the hip, cool, or IN factor; these things sound three times their cost IMHO. Two bits of advice- 1) THE WAIT IS WORTH IT! 2) GET TWO FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! They sound amazing! Thanks again, Tony.

26th March 2008, 03:40 AM	#12
AllAboutTone Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,469	I agree all about the hype thing with any preamp, pre or post use, but i bought the MA5 because it suppose to have a 1073 sound~ish to it. Otherwise i might have waited to see how the unit played out.....My lunch box has a vacant hole and is waiting on the MA5 to mix with my P-1s and ugly but killer OSAs..lol __________________ I can never be Happy again unless our city get a Hockey team back Music and Hockey is my life, 1/2 is gone.

26th March 2008, 07:19 AM	#14
Aearth Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,062	Well there's no BS about the MA5, I have two of them and all the so called hype is true. I don't know if they sound like a real vintage 1073 because I have not compared them, but I did run the MA5 against my Ltd-1 (EQ out). I prefered the MA5 more than my Ltd-1.........MA5 was a bit tighter on the bottom end. Now how much more did the LTD-1 cost? nIC

26th March 2008, 12:48 PM	#15
AllAboutTone Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,469	Sounds great, i have never heard the Ltd-1 to compare, i did own a germ and really was not my taste, a little to round and smooth, you might say almost to smooth, So i imagine the Ltd-1 a lot different from the germ. I was just looking for some neve~ish sound in a lunch box w/o paying the neve price. __________________ I can never be Happy again unless our city get a Hockey team back Music and Hockey is my life, 1/2 is gone.

26th March 2008, 08:14 PM	#16
seanmccoy Gear addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central Point, Oregon Posts: 413	So if one had to sum up the difference between the 512 and MA5, would it be that the API is aggressive and the Avedis is aggressiv-er? What preamps are people putting in their lunchboxes when they want high transparency, say for acoustic or classical stuff? Or will the 512 and MA5 cover that just as well, with only the mic and technique changing?

26th March 2008, 11:45 PM	#18
soundsgood Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 39	Tony summed it up pretty well. The bottom end of the MA5 is absolutely amazing. Both units have a big mid range, but the MA5 has a bit more bite while the API has more presence if that makes sense.

27th March 2008, 09:34 PM	#19
pan60 500 series nutjob Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: 500 series Guru land ; ) Posts: 5,423	don't get impatient guys and gal's, you must remember at time manufactures are held hostage to suppliers. so have some Patience so have some Patience so have some Patience so have some Patience so have some Patience __________________ www.pan60.com it is easy to sound as though one was endowed with great intelligence, whilst speaking amongst a crowd of total morons quote: The Hammer is like sonic crack. I'm actually afraid to use it for tracking Brad McGowan quote: Watch it Goatee boy.... not_so_new quote: your secret identity is safe with me superman! Peter Montessi

27th March 2008, 10:01 PM	#20
Audio Hombre Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 823	im sure B is pretty happy he's a dealer for these. of all the 500 pres, these have spiked my interest the most.

27th March 2008, 10:25 PM	#21
Aearth Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,062	I think the MA5 will be in demand for a long time to come so the wait will be long as well.......but worth it. nIC

28th March 2008, 05:53 AM	#22
ProducerBoy Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA Posts: 302	I am blown away by the MA5s. If I were to only have one choice for preamp, it would be a pair of MA5s... hands down. Well worth the wait. (ok...here's my embarrassing gush) I love that they are not just another Neve clone. They have an obvious Neve color, but there is a superb presence (hello 28k button!) and punchiness (eye opening low end punch!) that is unique... yet familiar (sounds like...ehhh, a record.). Lower the gain & set the output at 0 and it is so smooth, crank the gain and you are now inches from the source! Guitars, vocals, bass, synths, piano, drums, entire mixes... even a plastic casio sk-1 sounds warm and round though these! ok....I'll stop... (now, if only Avedis would design a 500 series comp) __________________ http://virb.com/richardwhiting http://www.myspace.com/richardwhitingmusic

28th March 2008, 01:11 PM	#24
johnnyjellybean Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 660	I tracked acoustic guitars with the MA5 yesterday and it was the 1st time I really used the 28K switch. It is wonderful for that application. You could hear the pick hitting the strings like your ear was 2" away!

29th March 2008, 02:27 PM	#25
AllAboutTone Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,469	I only ordered one but im gonna kick myself in the ass if they sound as great as the hype, damn i will have to wait all over again and now its almost 3 weeks and waiting. __________________ I can never be Happy again unless our city get a Hockey team back Music and Hockey is my life, 1/2 is gone.

3rd April 2008, 03:32 PM	#30
AllAboutTone Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,469	I keep reading all these cool post about the MA5...... Well mine is less than 24 hrs away on a fedex truck, just in time for some female vocals that are hard to control this weekend, lets put the MA5 up to the real test, btw i am so happy that i went 500 series, its really opened up a entire can of worms. also has anyone tried the MA5 on a kick drum or bass ? __________________ I can never be Happy again unless our city get a Hockey team back Music and Hockey is my life, 1/2 is gone.