Pendulum MDP-1 VS. Affinity a2 (Hand crafted labs)

[ericdevine]

I had just about settled on the Pendulum mdp-1 (full version), and then I found the Affinity a2 from Hand crafted labs. There was a post at Hand Crafted Lab Tube micamp and compressor, Blind test against 1176,v72,ADL and more that did a great a-b test. Has anyone spent any time with these units?

[frans]

I have a HCL affinity2a around and like it - can't compare it to the pendulum...soooo..how do I know the HCL is what YOU want? At least it looks good in the rack and there's also the Manley Mic/EQ 500 Combo to impress clients. But beeing the picky gearslut I am, i had the HCL customized, higher gain, second pair of outputs, blue LEDs - they can do all sorts of extras. Did not put in the "electrocute the bad singer" switch i whished for... duh... Get a taste by contacting HCL and see what they have to offer, talk about what you need, your taste, etc.etc.
<p> MAUI!!!! You luckylucky man.

[T.RayBullard]

Eric..do yourself a favor and consider the Electronaut too.

Those are phenomenal, and have swappable daughter cards built around the transformers of your choosing(and can get whatever tubes you want too)


www.electronaut.info
http://www.electronaut.info/old_site/

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by T.RayBullard

Eric..do yourself a favor and consider the Electronaut too.

Those are phenomenal, and have swappable daughter cards built around the transformers of your choosing(and can get whatever tubes you want too)


www.electronaut.info
http://www.electronaut.info/old_site/

Do you mean various transformers could be switched on the run or you can just choose one to be built ?

[C/G]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Do you mean various transformers could be switched on the run or you can just choose one to be built ?

Electronaut has swappable daughter cards that the trannys are attatched to. Simply pop the top and switch at will. The stock amorphous core Lundahls on the output are not changeable, but he offers many input trannys that are available from Lundahl, Cinemag and Jensen with various ones available from each company. So basically you can order it with Jensens on the input and buy a pair of Cinemags already mounted to a daughter board to try out and place inside when you feel the need for a change in character.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Colin Gaucher

Electronaut has swappable daughter cards that the trannys are attatched to. Simply pop the top and switch at will. The stock amorphous core Lundahls on the output are not changeable, but he offers many input trannys that are available from Lundahl, Cinemag and Jensen with various ones available from each company.

Oh, so you can easily spend one day checking and pondering what could be the best for the task

[C/G]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Oh, so you can easily spend one day checking and pondering what could be the best for the task

Exactly, good or bad as it may be. I was going to order an M63 a short while ago then I had the option of picking the input transformers and instantly got a headache since I have no idea what to use in there. I am waiting on a few more reports of users who have tried a few of the input transformer options before I make my choice. Damn decisions.

Teddy, which ones are you sporting in your M63?

[rids]

What are the price differences of the MDP1, A2, and M63? That's also something else to consider.

I wonder which out of the bunch is more colored of a pre? I guess it might depend on the trannies and tubes though.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by ericdevine

I had just about settled on the Pendulum mdp-1 (full version), and then I found the Affinity a2 from Hand crafted labs. There was a post at Hand Crafted Lab Tube micamp and compressor, Blind test against 1176,v72,ADL and more that did a great a-b test. Has anyone spent any time with these units?

Soooo.... I was looking at the HCL web site for his stuff and I was on the edge of ordering a comp. Then I took a look at his cable work.... not so good is it? I mean the thing might sound like a million bucks but you just have to wonder how long the thing will last. And the duct tape on the meter? What is up with that?

http://www.papa-movie.com/Leveller_Top_PSU_1744.jpg
http://www.papa-movie.com/Leveller_Top_Rear_2048.jpg

I have never seen the inside of any Pendulum gear but I can't imagine they look anything like the photos above. Which would you have more confidence in?

I don't want to come accost as negative and I don't want to hurt the guy's business but on the other hand he should clean up his wiring a bit as well. I am sure that has turned off a few people from his stuff, I know it did me.

[T.RayBullard]

Originally Posted by Colin Gaucher

Exactly, good or bad as it may be. I was going to order an M63 a short while ago then I had the option of picking the input transformers and instantly got a headache since I have no idea what to use in there. I am waiting on a few more reports of users who have tried a few of the input transformer options before I make my choice. Damn decisions.

Teddy, which ones are you sporting in your M63?

I have the standard config. with the Lundahl LL1636 on the input and LL5402 on the output(the one he suggested). It is a more "clean" setup(but still has meat!), and as I do mainly classical/acoustic recording....it was a wise choice.

[Jamz]

Teddy, where are we price wise on the M63?

[ericdevine]

I just got an email back from him the m63 list price is $2400. He is offering the unit at a discounted price of $1800 untill he gets his buisness going. Teddy- with your choice of transformers, can you tell me what the m63 has that the pendulum does not? I am starting to think more about the m63 over the pendulum, and after seeing the wiring on the affinity a2, Michael (not so new) makes a good point.

[ISedlacek]

If I go for another tube preamp (may happen in some future), it will be most probably this one http://www.gyraf.dk/g9/g9lg.jpg

Having heard how G14 and G10 sound, I have a complete faith in their other products ...

[squeegybug]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

I have never seen the inside of any Pendulum gear but I can't imagine they look anything like the photos above.

Here are some shots of Q-II:

http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0197.JPG
http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0193.JPG
http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0211.JPG


And here is a different appoach, A-Designs MP2:

http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0305.JPG
http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0300.JPG
http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0306.JPG
http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0307.JPG


Steve

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by squeegybug

Here are some shots of Q-II:

http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0197.JPG
http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0193.JPG
http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0211.JPG


And here is a different appoach, A-Designs MP2:

http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0305.JPG
http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0300.JPG
http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0306.JPG
http://www.sunsetwind.com/pics/Pream...g/100_0307.JPG


Steve

WOW... now that is what I am talking about!

Thanks Steve.

[rob99]

another vote for the m63 !!!!!

own one. wouldn't buy another brand.

start with the stock trannys and buy one extra Jensen and one LL7905 input tranny.

This will give you plenty to play with.

The tubes used are 6072 input, 5687 output. Easy to source different brands to try.

rob

[T.RayBullard]

Originally Posted by ericdevine

I just got an email back from him the m63 list price is $2400. He is offering the unit at a discounted price of $1800 untill he gets his buisness going. Teddy- with your choice of transformers, can you tell me what the m63 has that the pendulum does not? I am starting to think more about the m63 over the pendulum, and after seeing the wiring on the affinity a2, Michael (not so new) makes a good point.

It is a bit more "creamy" or ..I hate to say this, but "warm"(I hate the word)..it is still in the clear vein, but warms things up more than the pendulum, whereas the pendulum is more subtle. Note that this is with the stock config/amorphous core Lundahls on input and output.

[bruno]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

WOW... now that is what I am talking about!

my thought exactly..

[danasti]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

I don't want to come accost as negative and I don't want to hurt the guy's business but on the other hand he should clean up his wiring a bit as well. I am sure that has turned off a few people from his stuff, I know it did me.

That's exactly what I thought. Looking at that second picture down the PCB and wiring are concerns, among other things. It could sound great but it's not just about the sound. I expect anything in my studio to be "clean" and to aim for as close to perfection as possible because I do. I can't say that with that particular brand of gear.

[84K]

Originally Posted by T.RayBullard

I have the standard config. with the Lundahl LL1636 on the input and LL5402 on the output(the one he suggested). It is a more "clean" setup(but still has meat!), and as I do mainly classical/acoustic recording....it was a wise choice.

Hey Teddy,

Looks cool! Is that puppy 3U? Looks big. As you know, Lundahl aims to make the cleanest most transparent transformers on the market. They are very popular with hi-fi home audio amplifiers. Looks interesting. I wonder how many they have made to date.

I am chiming in as another very satisfied, long time Pendulum customer (since 1998). Although I have not tried the a2 or the Electronaut, I can say that Pendulum is the bee's knees. Years of solid use, no problems. It has been nice to watch Pendulum grow over the years, and I like the fact that I know they will be around for years and years. I have tried most of the big name tube pres (less all these knew ones that keep popping up every time I blink), and Pendulum always comes out on top. I have had a Fearn since 1998 as well. The Pendulum pres get more work around here. BIG FAN!

[ABGen]

hey franz - is your a2 tight in a rack with no breathing room - how does it do being used over time? (in terms of heat), is the a2 now your primary pre?

anyone have both the mdp1 and the affinity?

[azzzy]

Originally Posted by ABGen

hey franz - is your a2 tight in a rack with no breathing room - how does it do being used over time? (in terms of heat), is the a2 now your primary pre?

anyone have both the mdp1 and the affinity?

I have an Affinity in my rack. I don't have an mdp1, so I can't compare, but I have a Manley Mono Pre, and I prefer the Affinity. The Manley and the a2 are in the rack right next to another but there is some breathing room in between the two. I hardly ever turn on the Manley anymore but the Affinity gets quite a bit of use because (aside from being my primary pre for recording) I play bass through it. So far so good - it's been a year at this point - no issues.

[frans]

The Affinity sits two fingers of empty space under the Manley. All gear that is more than lukewarm in action gets some space for breathing here. It's not my primary pre as I own some stuff.
If I like something with precision but "voltage vs. illusion" (look that up if you don't know Stavrou) the Affinity get's the job.
Things that are already leveled out f.e. heavy guitars, the Telefunken might.

A good pre is a good pre - so do you want colored or clean? The affinity can both within reason.