1 'higher' quality preamp to replace UA610 and Focusrite ISA One?

[E.rOk.stA]

BAE 1073MP mono channel.

[greyskull]

Great River.

[soypancho]

Try the A Designs Pacifica in your room. Very nice hi-fi sound. It can be relatively clean but if you pad it and push the gain, you'll get some very nice coloration somewhere between a Neve and an API.

[cheu78]

You might want to check out: Avedis MA5, BAE preamps, John Hardy preamps, Forssell SMP-2 (or smp500).. Depending if you need clean or "colored"..
Can't go wrong with these.. really great pieces, all of them..

Try to find a dealer and check 'em out in your place.. Your ears will tell you what do you need (and if it's the case of replacing your stuff or not).

I hope this helps,



Cheu

[dickiefunk]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I've spoken to a few people who own both the Great River and UA610 and the majority generally preferred the 610.

The A-Designs Pacifica is one I'm very interested in.

The BAE stuff needs additional psu's which means it wouldn't fit into my rack.

A couple of others that I'm interested in are :-

Dave Hills Europa
Emperical Labs Mic-E
Grace M101 / M103

I can't find a dealer for the Hardy or Forsell in the UK and the MA5 is 500 series.

I forgot to mention in my original post that I would like the pre to have a DI aswell as I will be mainly using it for bass and guitars (+ occasional vocal).

[Andrew Kinsey]

For Guaranteed satisfaction id also check out the Vintech Preamps...X73i or 273.

[cheu78]

Originally Posted by dickiefunk

I've spoken to a few people who own both the Great River and UA610 and the majority generally preferred the 610.

The BAE stuff needs additional psu's which means it wouldn't fit into my rack.

I can't find a dealer for the Hardy or Forsell in the UK and the MA5 is 500 series.

I forgot to mention in my original post that I would like the pre to have a DI aswell as I will be mainly using it for bass and guitars (+ occasional vocal).

Regarding the 500 series, you could get a A design 500hr rack (2 slot in 1 RU, both the Forssell or the MA5 will fit )

I guess that at this level is a matter of taste.. the MA5 is one of the best preamps out there IMO, I wouldn't rule it out so quick (unless you want something very clean)..(<<< fwiw you could read my review in the GS review section, below my avatar there's the link)

If you need a DI, get a DI like a Countryman or a Jensen (or a Radial JDI) and use the preamp after that.. I wouldn't choose my preamps because of the DI.. (even if there are some, like the Juggernaut or the BAE, that has a killer sounding DI)..

Try to find some studios or slutz near you that will let you test them.. I'm sure that there are slutz in UK with the Forssell and the Hardy..and maybe some MA5..

You should try to test them in some ways.. I really liked these a lot..can't recommend them enough.. you should be able to compare them in your context if it's possible..this is the only way to know which one rule out.. and again, it's a matter of taste/genre/goals at this level IMO.

Good luck with your search,



Cheu

[E.rOk.stA]

Originally Posted by dickiefunk

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I've spoken to a few people who own both the Great River and UA610 and the majority generally preferred the 610.


The BAE stuff needs additional psu's which means it wouldn't fit into my rack.

I've never seen a thread where someone preferred a 610 to a GR.

As for the BAE, what does the PSU have to do with the rack? It fits fine.

[Renaud Charlier]

You should also try the Neve 1073 dpa..(2 channels / 1 unit /but no DI input..)

[vintagelove]

If you can swing buying a real vintage Neve 1073/66/81 etc, it will be well worth the money. I am very familiar with some clones and I must say they do not compare to the real thing. There is something so fat about the bottom on those neve's you will need new underwear upon arrival.

[crille_mannen]

Preamps are really overrated. You can get great quality recording with the gear you got. Upgrade microphones etc first. As long as you have a mid-price preamp you'll be fine even though people here at GS always wants to point out that preamps makes ALL the difference in the world, when it don't.

Get good gear, make music / C

[timmetje]

Originally Posted by dickiefunk

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I've spoken to a few people who own both the Great River and UA610 and the majority generally preferred the 610.

The A-Designs Pacifica is one I'm very interested in.

The BAE stuff needs additional psu's which means it wouldn't fit into my rack.

A couple of others that I'm interested in are :-

Dave Hills Europa
Emperical Labs Mic-E
Grace M101 / M103

I can't find a dealer for the Hardy or Forsell in the UK and the MA5 is 500 series.

I forgot to mention in my original post that I would like the pre to have a DI aswell as I will be mainly using it for bass and guitars (+ occasional vocal).

Never forget to ask why they preferred it.

[vintagelove]

Originally Posted by crille_mannen

Preamps are really overrated/ C

Seriously, you have probably never heard an sm7 through a neve..... it is pretty fricken nice. Obviously the mic is the most important. However, don't kid yourself that that the 500 dollar pre is as good as the 3k one..... Same goes for mics. There are a lot of decent $500 mics, until you hear them next to a 4k mic.

[crille_mannen]

Originally Posted by vintagelove

Seriously, you have probably never heard an sm7 through a neve..... it is pretty fricken nice. Obviously the mic is the most important. However, don't kid yourself that that the 500 dollar pre is as good as the 3k one..... Same goes for mics. There are a lot of decent $500 mics, until you hear them next to a 4k mic.

Well i have both a Crane Song spider and some mid price preamps. And the mid price preamps sounds nice, not a deal breaer. the Spider sounds better but you would get great results with the mid price preamps if you're good at what you do. I would rather have a 2-3k mic with a 500-1000$ preamp then vice versa which some ppl here at GS seems to think it should be the other way around.

[vintagelove]

Agreed, your most important tool is the mic. Everything after that is relative.

[dickiefunk]

Originally Posted by crille_mannen

Preamps are really overrated. You can get great quality recording with the gear you got. Upgrade microphones etc first. As long as you have a mid-price preamp you'll be fine even though people here at GS always wants to point out that preamps makes ALL the difference in the world, when it don't.

Get good gear, make music / C

Yes I agree that I can get great quality recordings with what I already own. The main reason why I am tempted to replace the 610 and ISA One is because I don't like the fact that they are table top pres. I bought these because they came up at an extremely low price.
I would prefer something rackmounted because I would like a cleaner work area with less leads etc and with the power switch on the front.

I was partly tempted to replace them with an ISA TWO but don't really want to lose what the 610 brings to the table. The 610's DI is excellent for bass and some guitars and the ISA sounds great on other guitars.

Originally Posted by cheu78

Regarding the 500 series, you could get a A design 500hr rack (2 slot in 1 RU, both the Forssell or the MA5 will fit )Cheu

I like this idea of getting the A Designs 500HR rack and putting a really good clean transparent pre and something meaty with lots of mojo?

[NEWTON IN ORBIT]

Yup. cheu is a smart guy with good advice.

If you want something that will work on anything, and you will keep forever, get the Hardy he suggested. M1 or Twin Servo. No DI, but a jensen isomax or radial in front, and you will be gold.

These are the kind of preamps that you buy, and you first notice the clarity and the fact that it's smooth and big. It doesn't jump out at you like an API, and it isn't warm and fuzzy like a Neve. It does what it's supposed to, and does it well.

That said, it's the kind of preamp that two weeks later when you are not doing a/b comparisons, and not focusing on the the minute details of preamp character, it will just hit you. You'll play back something recorded through it, and you'll think: "Damn that sounds nice. Glad I bought this thing."

Further, the build is rock solid, and it will last forever, and you will never sell it. You will feel like you need it as a sure thing on every session, and if you don't have it, it will feel like you left home without your driver's license, or house keys.

At least for me anyway. Plus, in the grand scheme, they are absolutely a deal compared to other options out there.

My two cents.

Good luck, always liked your music man,
john

[crille_mannen]

Originally Posted by dickiefunk

Yes I agree that I can get great quality recordings with what I already own. The main reason why I am tempted to replace the 610 and ISA One is because I don't like the fact that they are table top pres. I bought these because they came up at an extremely low price.
I would prefer something rackmounted because I would like a cleaner work area with less leads etc and with the power switch on the front.

I was partly tempted to replace them with an ISA TWO but don't really want to lose what the 610 brings to the table. The 610's DI is excellent for bass and some guitars and the ISA sounds great on other guitars.
?

Well then i suggest you get a 500 series pre. Get a neve or API and be done with it. Then you never have to think about pres again You didn't say what kind of music you usually do but if you go the 500 route you can add up with a comp and eq and you have yourself an superb channelstrip. Lindell audio released a very cheap compressor,eq and pre for a crazy cheap price in the 500 series.

[dickiefunk]

Originally Posted by NEWTON IN ORBIT

Yup. cheu is a smart guy with good advice.

If you want something that will work on anything, and you will keep forever, get the Hardy he suggested. M1 or Twin Servo. No DI, but a jensen isomax or radial in front, and you will be gold.

These are the kind of preamps that you buy, and you first notice the clarity and the fact that it's smooth and big. It doesn't jump out at you like an API, and it isn't warm and fuzzy like a Neve. It does what it's supposed to, and does it well.

That said, it's the kind of preamp that two weeks later when you are not doing a/b comparisons, and not focusing on the the minute details of preamp character, it will just hit you. You'll play back something recorded through it, and you'll think: "Damn that sounds nice. Glad I bought this thing."

Further, the build is rock solid, and it will last forever, and you will never sell it. You will feel like you need it as a sure thing on every session, and if you don't have it, it will feel like you left home without your driver's license, or house keys.

At least for me anyway. Plus, in the grand scheme, they are absolutely a deal compared to other options out there.

My two cents.

Good luck, always liked your music man,
john

Unfortunately there isn't a dealer for the Hardy stuff in the UK so I'd have to pay VAT, shipping and import tax on this making it not particularly good value (unless one appears secondhand). Would prefer to go for something that I can buy in the UK.

I'm liking the idea of something like the A-Designs 500HR with a decent mojo type pre and a really clean uncolored pre.

I also quite like the idea of the BAE/Vintech/Pacifica pres.

I mainly record jazz, gospel, funk and pop so a fair range of styles.

There seems to be SO many options for the 500 series pres and am a little overwhelmed with the choice!!

What would you recommend as a top notch clean/transparent type pre and a colored pre with lots of mojo for the 500 series. I would like both to have a DI input and be able to buy them in the UK.

Thanks

[cheu78]

Originally Posted by dickiefunk

There seems to be SO many options for the 500 series pres and am a little overwhelmed with the choice!!

What would you recommend as a top notch clean/transparent type pre and a colored pre with lots of mojo for the 500 series. I would like both to have a DI input and be able to buy them in the UK.

Thanks

In this case I'd definitely get an MA5 and a Forssell, plus a good DI (Jensen or Countryman or Radial).. end of the search of the holy preamp..you can call it a day! Seriously two of the best in the 500 series IMO.

(eventually you could try a Juggernaut, in nickel-nickel mode, instead of the Forssell.. It's rather clean and the DI is indeed very good)..

The only problem I see is that you'll want to have two of each pre's after owning one.. You might like having a stereo pair..
So I'd go: 1RU Forssell SMP-2 + Adesigns hr500 with 2 x Avedis MA5 (plus the DI..maybe consider the Avalon too, I was surprised, it sounded pretty good to me..but I've use it live)



Cheu

[garyboy2024]

I agree that you'll want a stereo pair. The Pacifica gives you a pair of pres in a 1u rack with a great DI on each channel. Sounds fantastic with ribbons too with plenty of gain. Not super colored but not squeaky clean either, just the right amount of mojo imo. But then there's always the P-1 if you go the 500 series route.

Also, I think you'll miss the 610 as a bass di... I've yet to find anything better for that purpose. It's that good.

[Gizzmo0815]

Originally Posted by E.rOk.stA

I've never seen a thread where someone preferred a 610 to a GR.

I do But not because it's a "better preamp". Just because it's got some very key uses that I find it to be irreplaceable on. Bass and guitar DI it's very hard to beat. And there aren't a lot of other preamps that can get quite as dirty as the 610 can. Something you don't need all the time of course, but it's great at that type of thing.

Honestly I'd just keep both of those pres and save up for a new one. They're excellent preamps and between the two you have a REALLY wide range of uses. 610 for color and ISA for cleaner with lots of gain. Money comes eventually and you won't find a single preamp that can do what these two can do together. So just save up and don't worry about getting a higher end piece to replace them. The difference between these and the Great River, or API, or whatever else isn't a life changing one.

[mml]

We have an A Designs Ventura and it's now my go to pre for bass di and vocals. Spectacular eq and di. Can be fast and clean or get dirty with the pad.