Neve 1073LB or BAE 1073MP

[Micfallon]

Hi there folks !

I know it's another 1073 comparison thread but i don't know which to purchase between 4 Neve 1073LB or 2 BAE 1073MP ?
Someone just lent me an MP but i can't compare it with the LB.
Does anyone have had the chance to compare both side by side ?

Thanks !

[czarthp]

I'm deciding between 1073lb, vintech 573, and bae 1073 MP. Still haven't decided If I really wanna go lunchbox. I'm staring to think features will set these apart more than sound. Doesn't seem like you can wrong with either

Sent from my Nexus S using Gearslutz.com App

[cinealta]

Originally Posted by Micfallon

I know it's another 1073 comparison thread but i don't know which to purchase between 4 Neve 1073LB or 2 BAE 1073MP?

I don't know which will be best for you but here are some criteria which helps me narrow down choices:

1) Sound
(audition them head-to-head with mics and monitors you know; listen especially for differences amongst transformers etc)

2) Power supply & format (19" rack vs 500 series)

3) Construction (through-the-whole vs surface mount; authentic parts? Elma switches & Canford wire?)

4) Reliability (if one fails, can you have it serviced in your city or must you send it to the manufacturer? if so, how long and what is the cost of service?)

5) Features (how many dB of gain? will you be using ribbons? do you need a 3rd amp stage? does one have a built in DI? does one have filters? which do you need?)

Good luck with your decision!

[Chris Lago]

Go with BAE.

[cinealta]

Originally Posted by Chris Lago

Go with BAE.

What if the Neve 1073DPA(D) were an option?

[Micfallon]

Originally Posted by czarthp

I'm deciding between 1073lb, vintech 573, and bae 1073 MP.

The Vintech 573 is also an option !
But i'm also considering the forthcoming Chandler Little Devil MicPre...

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by cinealta

What if the Neve 1073DPA(D) were an option?

I'd go with the DPA. But I'm biased since I use the DPD.

[Micfallon]

Originally Posted by cinealta

1) Sound
(audition them head-to-head with mics and monitors you know; listen especially for differences amongst transformers etc)

2) Power supply & format (19" rack vs 500 series)

3) Construction (through-the-whole vs surface mount; authentic parts? Elma switches & Canford wire?)

4) Reliability (if one fails, can you have it serviced in your city or must you send it to the manufacturer? if so, how long and what is the cost of service?)

5) Features (how many dB of gain? will you be using ribbons? do you need a 3rd amp stage? does one have a built in DI? does one have filters? which do you need?)

Good luck with your decision!

Hi Cinealta,

1. I can only audition the BAE 1073 MP for the moment because no one has the Neve LB around...

2. I don't really mind about 19'' rack or 500 series. Maybe 500 series leave me more freedom choices in the near futur !

3 and 4. Construction and reliability are REALLY important for me because i had lots of technical issues with a special brand last time, and i don't want to live this anymore. I really need it to be rock solid ! No shaking rotary switches or pots !
I guess BAE is easier to repair than the LB. In the other hand, if i got a problem with one LB module, i can send it for repair and still work with the other modules !

5. I won't be using ribbons. I won't necessarily use DI because i have my own DIs that i love.
If i decide to purchase the 1073 MPF instead of the MP, the filter is obvously the cherry on top of the cake !
But if i purchase the LB, then i can add the 1073 LB EQ..... But for the moment no one knows how it sounds.....

[Micfallon]

Originally Posted by Chris Lago

I'd go with the DPA. But I'm biased since I use the DPD.

DPA ? But just above you've said go with BAE Chris !

[YRLK]

From the samples I've heard, I'd SO go BAE if I could afford either.

Instead, I have two MA5's and an Aurora GTQ, and I'm pretty impressed with both of these so far.

Do you need four channels or two? Get what you need and what you think you'll really like. It's like having 4 shirts that you sorta like or 2 that you really like.

[MarvelM]

According to what I've heard about this gear...BAE is supposed to be an EXACT! replica of vintage neve 1073...elma switches, the silver wire...u name it!




_________________________________________________

For sale:API 8200a

[AlbatrossAudio]

bae 1073mp.

using one now. amazing!!!

beat out a lot of stuff on session im doing now.
including Quad8's, amd, api, great river, tabv78m.

i was going between tg2 and bae on a lot of stuff.

[robertshaw]

Originally Posted by MarvelM

BAE is supposed to be an EXACT! replica of vintage neve 1073...elma switches, the silver wire...

Originally Posted by MarvelM

u name it!

the transformers

they are not the same, which is the most important aspect of the whole unit.

[junior]

If you wanna' go 500 series but want to stay in 19" rack format, why not just do both?

500 HR Rack - A Designs Audio

[mrhood]

If you wanna' go 500 series but want to stay in 19" rack format, why not just do both?

500 HR Rack - A Designs Audio[/QUOTE]

I've tried this. Be warned, it's not compatible with the 1073LB. Loud buzzing when phantom is applied or when pushing the gain high. Neve recommend minimum 155mA which the 500HR Rack cannot provide.

[junior]

Originally Posted by mrhood

If you wanna' go 500 series but want to stay in 19" rack format, why not just do both?

500 HR Rack - A Designs Audio

I've tried this. Be warned, it's not compatible with the 1073LB. Loud buzzing when phantom is applied or when pushing the gain high. Neve recommend minimum 155mA which the 500HR Rack cannot provide.

Really? That's the first I've heard of this... Maybe we can get Peter to comment?

[Micfallon]

Originally Posted by YRLK

Instead, I have two MA5's and an Aurora GTQ, and I'm pretty impressed with both of these so far.

And how would you compare them ? In a sound point of view and build quality ?

Originally Posted by YRLK

Do you need four channels or two? Get what you need and what you think you'll really like. It's like having 4 shirts that you sorta like or 2 that you really like.

I need a minimum of 4 channels but 6 would be better then...

[cheu78]

Originally Posted by YRLK

From the samples I've heard, I'd SO go BAE if I could afford either.

Instead, I have two MA5's and an Aurora GTQ, and I'm pretty impressed with both of these so far.

+1!!

As a plus the MA5,GTQ2 and BAE have easy serviceability over the years..all discrete components instead of surface mount.

Btw you might be interested in this MA5 giveaway..on the 1000th page of the more free stuff thread..
Check it out:

******//www.gearslutz.com/board/6619001-post29986.html

Despite the obvious sonics advantages, it's for a good cause.

Good luck!

Bests,
Cheu

[BadMojo]

Haven't tried the 1073LB but I have two racks of BAE 1073. I couldn't recommend them highly enough.

[Micfallon]

By the way YRLK, i've just had a listen to your album, it's really great !
It reminds me a bit of Greg Laswell. Hope you won't be dissapointed about that....

[mrhood]

Originally Posted by junior

Really? That's the first I've heard of this... Maybe we can get Peter to comment?

Also difficult to install the 1073LB in the HR500 without a combination of forcing, bending and scratching. Check Vintage King's website, they say not compatible with HR500 and Empirical Labs EL500 2 slot as well. This goes for the 1073BEQ as well.

Not compatible with the API 500 VPR if you add more than 2 x 1073LB in an empty rack, you get the same noise problems I described with the 500HR. Vintage King tested this for me.

You can however run 6 full gain with phantom on all 6 with no problems in the API 500-6B according to Neve.

I'm sending my 1073LB back, and will probably go BAE.

[shortstory]

Based on the kind of music you're doing, maybe you should check out the Wunder PEQ2s. They sound amazing & have great/flexible EQs. They're a little pricey, but money well spent.

[Stepwise Sound]

I got a pair of the new Vintech 573s and really like them.

Build quality is solid -- they are really heavy.

DI is great and improved design / better than the other Vintech offerings (according to Dallas).

I like it a lot.

I dunno about the Neve 500 series -- personally for me I wanted DI. That and having the Phantom on the Trim / Gain knob or whatever it is made it an easier decision.

I can't really comment on the other Neve clones etc but I like the Vintech 573 a lot.

[junior]

Originally Posted by mrhood

Also difficult to install the 1073LB in the HR500 without a combination of forcing, bending and scratching. Check Vintage King's website, they say not compatible with HR500 and Empirical Labs EL500 2 slot as well. This goes for the 1073BEQ as well.

Not compatible with the API 500 VPR if you add more than 2 x 1073LB in an empty rack, you get the same noise problems I described with the 500HR. Vintage King tested this for me.

You can however run 6 full gain with phantom on all 6 with no problems in the API 500-6B according to Neve.

I'm sending my 1073LB back, and will probably go BAE.

Thanks for setting me straight on that - I just found the info you outlined.

I guess if someone didn't need it to fit in a 1U rack, the Revolver might be a good option. I see they have a 2U horizontal rack kit, though...

[Micfallon]

Originally Posted by mrhood

Also difficult to install the 1073LB in the HR500 without a combination of forcing, bending and scratching. Check Vintage King's website, they say not compatible with HR500 and Empirical Labs EL500 2 slot as well. This goes for the 1073BEQ as well.

Not compatible with the API 500 VPR if you add more than 2 x 1073LB in an empty rack, you get the same noise problems I described with the 500HR. Vintage King tested this for me.

You can however run 6 full gain with phantom on all 6 with no problems in the API 500-6B according to Neve.

I'm sending my 1073LB back, and will probably go BAE.

A dealer told me the 1073 LB is really difficult to install in every kind of 500 series rack available !

[Micfallon]

Well..... any more advices ?

[Arthur Stone]

About a year ago I was looking at the BAE1073mpf and the Neve 1073DPA...what swung it for me (sound being comparable) were the features on the BAE (the filter and DI)...some of the BAE parts looked to be better spec too.

Would I make the same choice again? Probably no. I'd get the Neve...because I'm curious and it's good to have a variety of preamps (for my small home studio). Now if the Neve had a DI and filter I would have got that originally.

There are some great shootout threads with samples here on GS; these (along with the knowledgeable posts) were very helpful in making a decision.

Whatever you decide - have fun, enjoy.

[synthetic]

I have the BAE 1073MP and love it. No regrets. The BAE 1073MP is as close a replica as you can get, check out the side-by-side photos on their website. The BAE uses high voltage power supply throughout, where the Neve LB needs voltage triplers or something to get to high enough voltage. Also the transformers are minaturized. Not sure what the sound difference is -- I haven't heard the LB -- but might as well go with the one that's closer to start with.

Also, the full size red knob looks cooler.

[robertshaw]

Originally Posted by synthetic

check out the side-by-side photos on their website

did you ever compare them side by side in real life as far as the sound?

[bigbone]

Originally Posted by robertshaw

did you ever compare them side by side in real life as far as the sound?

Did you ?