Great River ME-1NV vs. MP500-NV -- same sound?

[brockorama]

I've never read they sound different. I have the mp500 and its nice. You can mix and match modules. You can have empty slots, that's ok. cheers

[superwack]

Most places pretty much say they are the exact same thing, circuit, transformers, etc... part of the reason they are "double-wide" --- the only difference is that the rack versions have an insert (for the EQ or whatever) which the 500 series does not have. there was some talk about adding that functionality to the 500 (as an option) that didn't seem to ever happen so, long story short, they sound the same.

[Mikem]

Cool, guys! Thanks!

And is the API Lunchbox the only game in town, or do other people make them as well?

[brockorama]

Purple and also Brent Averill come to mind. I'm sure there's more. A search in classifieds will show what has come up for sale. have fun!

[MisterDave]

I posed a similar question to Great River:
Hello GreatRiver,

Is there an advantage to the ME-1NV over the MP-500NV in terms of sound quality? Does the power supply make any difference? Since the 1NV is using its own power supply, and the 500NV uses the api lunch box power supply, I was wondering if there is any recommendations you may offer. There is not much difference in cost, but both have their advantages...

Thanks
Dave

Their response:
Hi Dave,

Sound wise, they are identical, at least none of us here can tell any
difference between a 500 and standard ME-1NV or the MP-2NV.

We have the API lunchbox here, it works great.

Dan Kennedy
Great River Electronics

After which I bought two and a lunch box from Jeff at Vintage King.

[CrankyChris]

Originally Posted by brockorama

Purple and also Brent Averill come to mind. I'm sure there's more. A search in classifieds will show what has come up for sale. have fun!

I have the Brent Averill rack mount 6 wide lunchbox unit (holds 6 500 series in a standard 19 inch rack (taking up 3 spaces) . It's pro.

I also have the GR 500 unit. Also pro.

It's funny. You could buy the 6 rack space BAE, 2 GR 500 units and it is cheaper than the standard NP 2nv (or whatever the 2 channel unit is) and STILL have 2 more slots open.

Have not used the standard GRs but everything I've heard is they're the same

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Mikem

Are the ME-1NV and MP500-NV the same (meaning sound the same)?

I'd like to get one, and I'm inclined to get the MP500-NV ($795) and a API 500-6B Lunchbox ($425) instead of getting an ME-1NV ($1150). The extra $70 would give me some cool (and cheaper) expandability in the future. Anything wrong with this plan? I'm assuming the API lunchbox works with *ANY* 500 series modules, right, and not just the API ones? Or is there some generic lunchbox I'd need instead of the API one? And I'm guessing these things work just fine with empty slots, right?

Thanks for the answers to the noobish questions. Just haven't learned much about the whole lunch box thing before now.

nothing wrong with the API lunchboxs, even some the older ones are fine.
i just order two more!

P.S.
the Great River is an excellent pre choice!
love mine!

[randomaxe]

but I've been "reading the mail" for quite a while now. I'm looking into the Lunchbox option myself now; thinking about the GR500 and an Inward Connections Brute. I do blues/rock/pop stuff, with acoustic and reso guitars, some direct bass and electric guitar and vox. Currently using a Rode NT2000 (also have a matched pair of NT5s), and a whole bunch of "stage" mics, from Beta 87 and 58s on down... Have a Digi 003 and Solo 610 mic pre. Thinking of adding a decent tube condenser...

Do the GR and IC Brute sound like good choices for my style/equipment? Should I consider also adding an EQ? If I do, I'm just one skinny module away from a free Lunchbox at vintage King, I think, and no idea what else to add...

Any advice would be welcome.

[chavernac]

Great River EQ's are great!

[randomaxe]

Thanks...I do a lot of fingerstyle guitar, slide on a reso, and vox. Also typically DI bass and electric guitars. Does it handle all that well, or do I need to think about getting an additional pre? Also, since I have the matching NT5s, wondered if I should get two of the SAME pre?

[pan60]

Originally Posted by chavernac

Great River EQ's are great!

anything Great River makes is Great!
Awesome!
i love love love anything that says Great River!

[JES]

Originally Posted by Mikem

Are the ME-1NV and MP500-NV the same (meaning sound the same)?

I'd like to get one, and I'm inclined to get the MP500-NV ($795) and a API 500-6B Lunchbox ($425) instead of getting an ME-1NV ($1150). The extra $70 would give me some cool (and cheaper) expandability in the future. Anything wrong with this plan? I'm assuming the API lunchbox works with *ANY* 500 series modules, right, and not just the API ones?

I did exactly this and am very happy. 500nv and lunchbox. Ok--also a Chandler Germanium 500. . . .

[funkynuts]

Well one thing to consider is that i only owned the one channel great river for about 3 weeks before I sold it on here and bought the 2 channel rack.

Lovely unit

[Ward Pike]

WARNING. This is only my opinion and is based on my experiences, yourds may vary so please don't pelt fecal matter at me for expressing it!

I have always been disappointed comparing a 500 series to the "real thing". Blame it on the differences in power supplies or what have you but there's just like 10% missing and that makes a difference for me.

Who doesn't love the convenience and interchangeability of the API 500 format? But the price it comes with is certainly there... even though it may be minute to some listeners.

But what do I know? I can barely tell the difference between an SM57 and an SM58 on a guitar cabinet.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Ward Pike

WARNING. This is only my opinion and is based on my experiences, yourds may vary so please don't pelt fecal matter at me for expressing it!

I have always been disappointed comparing a 500 series to the "real thing". Blame it on the differences in power supplies or what have you but there's just like 10% missing and that makes a difference for me.

Who doesn't love the convenience and interchangeability of the API 500 format? But the price it comes with is certainly there... even though it may be minute to some listeners.

But what do I know? I can barely tell the difference between an SM57 and an SM58 on a guitar cabinet.

well i don't know what comparisons in the 500 series you have compared to the "real thing". or how many 500 format modules you have but there is mot like 10% missing and yes that would make a difference for me as well. you can call blame it on the differences in power supplies all you like, but that is B.S. as well. their is professional gear out using this same type of power supplier and the same 500 format circuits and boards in 19'' versions and many will go oh that is so much bigger that the 500 format.
they are the same!
the smaller sound and week power supply is B.s. that as been assimilated and spread across the internet to such a degree that many think it fact, it is not!
the few 500 format products that have had issue's with power supplies have not been design within the given VPR Alliance specks are not members draw far to much current, then plain the 500 format for being inadequate.
if designers are not capable of designing within the given specks they should put their gear in a 19'' rack.
now, just what 500 format modules have you tried that have fallen short of the their 19'' counter parts?
as for the Great River they sound that same!

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by pan60

had issue's with power supplies have not been design within the given VPR Alliance specks are not members draw far to much current, then plain the 500 format for being inadequate.

I can think of at least one "VPR member" whose gear draws far above the published "VPR specification"... which kinda goes to show that "VPR certification" is complete and utter bullshit.

as for the Great River they sound that same!

True dat...

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

I can think of at least one "VPR member" whose gear draws far above the published "VPR specification"... which kinda goes to show that "VPR certification" is complete and utter bullshit.



True dat...

i know who you are speaking of, and when they where allowed in the alliance had no clue it would be what it was, API did not think there would be a high influx of 500 format products and as i understand decided to allow them in. if i ever had my way, they would NOT be in the Alliance, not just for their hi current draw, but some other reasons as well.

none the less i think using the VPR list can be safer then not.
there are some manufactures not on the VPR Alliance list that i like and do regularly recommend, Purple Audio is one that comes to mind. great gear and i like Andrew!

[buzzjoe]

Originally Posted by Ward Pike

WARNING. This is only my opinion and is based on my experiences, yourds may vary so please don't pelt fecal matter at me for expressing it!

I have always been disappointed comparing a 500 series to the "real thing". Blame it on the differences in power supplies or what have you but there's just like 10% missing and that makes a difference for me.

My experiences are similar. I did A/B comparisons of Forssell SMP-500 vs. SMP-2 and Phoenix DRS-1 vs. DRS 1R. In both cases the "real thing" sounded distinctly better to me (especially the bass and low mids, overall less compressed and more open). I guess it depends highly on the preamp design. Both are transformerless class A design and it seems that the power supply is VERY critical here.

I had a BAE 312 500 and the 19" version too but not at the same time so I can't swear on this but from what I remember I liked the 19" slightly better (fatter and even more punchy).

So did anybody a critical A/B comparison of the ME-1NV vs. MP500 yet?

Oliver

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by buzzjoe

So did anybody a critical A/B comparison of the ME-1NV vs. MP500 yet?

Oliver

I have found that there is no discernable difference, that I can speak of. They sound identical to me. Opposed to the preamplifiers Dan designed for the Mix Master 20 "Mini Console", now those are VERY different from NV series.

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

I can think of at least one "VPR member" whose gear draws far above the published "VPR specification"... which kinda goes to show that "VPR certification" is complete and utter bullshit.

I could think of a LOT more "bullshit", to speak of, than the VPR specifications.

[dandeurloo]

Yeah, but back to the Great River pres.

The answer is yes, they both sound the same... AWESOME.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by buzzjoe

My experiences are similar. I did A/B comparisons of Forssell SMP-500 vs. SMP-2 and Phoenix DRS-1 vs. DRS 1R. In both cases the "real thing" sounded distinctly better to me (especially the bass and low mids, overall less compressed and more open). I guess it depends highly on the preamp design. Both are transformerless class A design and it seems that the power supply is VERY critical here.

I had a BAE 312 500 and the 19" version too but not at the same time so I can't swear on this but from what I remember I liked the 19" slightly better (fatter and even more punchy).

So did anybody a critical A/B comparison of the ME-1NV vs. MP500 yet?

Oliver

just so you know, the Forssell SMP-500 is a different amp then the SMP-2, so it is not a apples to apples comparison.
as far as the BAE 312 500 and the 19" version imagination maybe?
you have to realize, not all the 500 format amp are the same as the 19'' amp they are going for.
i know of a manufacture that place the 500 format cards in a rack with their stock 500 format power supply and every said the 19'' rack sounded better then the 500 format units plugged into their 500 format power supply. what dose that say?
i think people often hear what they want to hear, no matter.


as for the Great River, there the same sound!