Upgrade tubes in LA 610 MKII or get Neve Portico 5015?

[Rob Ellis]

Or maybe another pre other than the Neve 5015?

[baskervils]

I also have a u87ai, Neve Portico and an LA-610.

I always use the u87ai with the Neve. I only run instruments to the LA-610. They are both worth keeping. New tubes should not cost $300 - $500. Where did you get that figure? If you are replacing all of the tubes, you will need to get it calibrated, but I would think that the whole job should be well under $300.

[Rob Ellis]

so...you think I should keep the 610?

I guess that is a consideration. Although I was thinking of having only one
pre-amp.

Since you seem to like the Neve better for vocals, do you think it would be the better choice for spoken word?

[baskervils]

If you are just doing voice overs, you don't really need a tube pre. In fact, weird tube coloring is probably the LAST thing you'd want.

Solid State pres are probably the way to go! If you want to get something cheaper than the Neve, I like the True Systems p-solo with the u87. The benefit of having a Neve is the EQ, which may come in handy for your type of work.

[Rob Ellis]

Thanks Baskerville,

I am not familiar with the True Systems solo. Do they do a channel strip as well?
I don't use EQ but like to have compression from time to time

(although I do have an old TC Electronics Triple C compressor that I could dust off and probably use)

[baskervils]

Hey - The True Systems P-Solo is a very nice little desktop preamp box. They only run about $600. They are super clean. I like it as much as the Neve.

[Rob Ellis]

I should mention I use an Apogee Duet as my interface.

Would the True Solo be an improvement over the quality of the Duet pre-amp?

(I don't use the Duet for the pre, only for the converter but I know some think the pres on the Duet are pretty good, tho I find them to be a bit bland)

[baskervils]

Hmmm, well, one thing that you can do... if you are going to buy new: order a few pres from a major website like Musiciansfriend and return the ones that you don't like. Perhaps you may discover that the 610 is the right pre for your voice? You never know...

[Rob Ellis]

I have been setting the input and output according to the UA 610 manual recommendations, but maybe I need to try driving the tubes harder and dialing back the output......

[baskervils]

It's possible that the unit needs servicing and the tubes aren't an issue if you are getting distortion or other problems,