TL Audio vs. Avalon

[Baz]

I have an eg of an acoustic guitar recorded M/S with an old TLA PA2 (KMi84 + 414BULS) and vocals recorded with a U87i into a 737. pm and I'll forward it along when I'm back in the studio if you'd like.

The TLA isn't high end by any stretch, but can still yield very usable results imho, and is a far better deal / product (used) than the Chinese starved plate designs out there in the < $500 range.Again, imho..

[ron florentine]

I had some of the old premium TL Audiogear here years ago and never did much for me ...I have a Avalon 737 which is a nice solid piece of gear and the eye candy factor is high ,but is fairly boring....not much color to speak of ,but seems to record well...I use it when recording parts or instruments that I dont want the listener to focus on.......an element that is more felt than heard......as a primary channel strip mic pre i would take neither.


Ron Florentine
Soundswest Studio

[pashatom]

You don't meet many people who have the blue range TL gear, most people buy the Ivory range which is a lot cheaper.

I have a PA-1 which is quite old I am told by TL themselves. I changed the valves and this can make quite a difference to the sound. Firstly I must say that I like it and it has had very good reviews in SOS and others (check out their website).

I personally use it into a Focusrite ISA430, so I get the great eq and compressor of the ISA and the very good converters.

My opinion is that if you are looking for a more radical-sounding valve pre then this is not it. If, however, you want a more mellow-sounding valve sound (there is no definitive valve sound) then the PA-1 is really very good. Vocals sound well-rounded and soft. Just a great warm sound where very little eq-ing has to be done. For vocals particularly I think it is excellent, although others might disagree.

I can send some sound files if you give me your email. I find myself coming back to it a lot.

[matucha]

Originally Posted by cmac

I am looking to buy a TL Audio PA1 , for the $1500-2000 range, would another be better? Some have said nothing compares to the avalon 737? What are the suggestions, and do any of you have pa1 and 737 clips? Thanks, cmac

TL-Audio PA1 for $2000? Cmon! That's a robbery. For $2000 there is so much to choose from.

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by matucha

. For $2000 there is so much to choose from.

U got that right ....

[Fleaman]

Originally Posted by matucha

TL-Audio PA1 for $2000? Cmon! That's a robbery. For $2000 there is so much to choose from.

You guys might be confusing the TL PA2 tube pre which is a hybrid (tube+IC chips), with the PA1 which is a Pentode/triode tube pre...all tube/transformer...not hybrid like all the other TL tube pre's.

The PA1 was the expensive one....not many bought it.

The PA2 was the cheap one...a few hundred bucks used I think (they don't make it anymore).

Although I will agree....if the PA1 is $2k, I'd look at other pre amps......so much more available now than then.

[Basslik]

Originally Posted by Fleaman

You guys might be confusing the TL PA2 tube pre which is a hybrid (tube+IC chips), with the PA1 which is a Pentode/triode tube pre...all tube/transformer...not hybrid like all the other TL tube pre's.

The PA1 was the expensive one....not many bought it.

The PA2 was the cheap one...a few hundred bucks used I think (they don't make it anymore).

Although I will agree....if the PA1 is $2k, I'd look at other pre amps......so much more available now than then.

How about if one was given to you, is it a keeper?

[CMS]

Sorry to resurect this old thread, but I agree with the above. The PA1 is a different monkey to the PA2. TL Audio don't emphasise the all valve, transformer balanced front end on this product enough.

Personally the Avalon sound is a bit obvious for me, not in a million years would i be rude about it or claim that it is anything other than a very good bit of kit, but the PA1 isn't a poor relation as some have suggested.

I don't like the 'drive' light- that's just silly, and i dont like that it is designed to sound slightly vintage- they seem to have intentionally used some old school op amps for the output, but overall in a mix this preamp is capable of delivering rich, attention-grabbing, sexy, 'hairs up on the back of your neck takes'. It is a bit slow and soft by character- certainly not a good funk drum O/H pre, but on Vox, acoustic instruments it is really nice.

The Ivory range has lead a lot of people to discount TL, and there are a few very daft bits of kit in there. However, I've installed enough studio's and know enough distributors to say with some confidence that either a lot of the posts are posted by people who have only read about the items in question or a few gearsluts posters are buying up all the stock of the most exclusive gear out there- could be the case but i doubt it!

For example some of the rubbish propagated about the AKG C12 is just that- very few places can afford to buy this mic, as such very few are sold, however many seem happy to offer an opinion on it! Like with most hi-end valve mics on the couple of occasions that I have had the opportunity to use it it has been worth having but not an answer for everything, tremendous in the right situation, sharp and forward in the wrong, still superbly capable overall- and good lordy can it deliver on nuance and detail.

[Kronos147]

Originally Posted by Basslik

How about if one was given to you, is it a keeper?

Yep!

[greyskull]

neither... useful as that is

[smoinync]

Originally Posted by Basslik

How about if one was given to you, is it a keeper?

No
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Problem at all

[waldie wave]

Stay away from TL Audio gear. The pots go after a few years.