Anyone compared the new ART Pro MPA 2 with the MPA GOLD?

[adathead 53]

I bought a new MPA Gold from an ebay dealer for way cheap ($235 shipped), then was informed that the MPA Gold they sold me was out of stock and they couldn't get anymore. They offered a refund OR.....a new Pro MPA 2 for the same price. I jumped on the Pro MPA 2. I'm picking up a pair of NOS Telefunken's tomorrow to put in it. I'm really excited about that mid/side feature and the other improvements. I'm just a bit skeptical since the price hasn't gone up from the MPA Gold. Then again, there seems to be a consensus that the Pro VLA 2 is of the same quality as the original (again with no price increase for the added features). So, has anyone used both the MPA's and noticed any difference in quality? Thanks for any input guys.

Larry

[RTR]

Originally Posted by adathead 53

I bought a new MPA Gold from an ebay dealer for way cheap ($235 shipped), then was informed that the MPA Gold they sold me was out of stock and they couldn't get anymore. They offered a refund OR.....a new Pro MPA 2 for the same price. I jumped on the Pro MPA 2. I'm picking up a pair of NOS Telefunken's tomorrow to put in it. I'm really excited about that mid/side feature and the other improvements. I'm just a bit skeptical since the price hasn't gone up from the MPA Gold. Then again, there seems to be a consensus that the Pro VLA 2 is of the same quality as the original (again with no price increase for the added features). So, has anyone used both the MPA's and noticed any difference in quality? Thanks for any input guys.

Larry

Proaudiostar? They are great

[adathead 53]

Originally Posted by RTR

Proaudiostar? They are great

Yah, you guessed right. I'm happy to hear you've had good experiences with them. So far they've been great-shipped it the next day and sent tracking info immediately. They seem like really good people.

[staticwhitesound]

Originally Posted by adathead 53

Yah, you guessed right. I'm happy to hear you've had good experiences with them. So far they've been great-shipped it the next day and sent tracking info immediately. They seem like really good people.

Yeah, I've bought from Proaudiostar as well. Good experience for me as well.

[Illustrious]

The EXACT same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago, I bought a MPA Gold unit from ProAudioStar off of ebay and they sent me a message saying they were out of stock and could send me the new Pro MPA II which I accepted. Their communication was excellent and I feel I got a better deal in the end anyway by getting the newer MPA II. I would definitely recommend buying form those guys as well. I also bought some Mullard replacement tubes and I will try to get a review of the unit up here as soon as I can.

[dialectic]

So, any comparisons been made between the ART MPA GOLD and the new ART PRO MPA II ? I understand that the later PRO MPA II version has a few new features such as the stereo/duel operation option and the mid/side micing support but do these preamps actually sound any different?

Many thanks in advance.

[Speeddemon]

Originally Posted by staticwhitesound

Yeah, I've bought from Proaudiostar as well. Good experience for me as well.

I'm in the Netherlands and bought both a Art Voice Channel and a Art Pro VLA II from them; both 240V units and the Voice Channel even included the correct IEC power cable. thumbsup
Dan's the man for sure, and I don't know if you guys dealt with Matt, but if you know his full name, you're left wondering why he's not in the porn business or a rockstar!

[dialectic]

Sorry, I thought that the title of this thread was 'Anyone compared the new ART Pro MPA 2 with the MPA GOLD?', not 'Who here likes Proaudiostar' (as good as they are).

[Ca$h Marty]

Originally Posted by dialectic

Sorry, I thought that the title of this thread was 'Anyone compared the new ART Pro MPA 2 with the MPA GOLD?', not 'Who here likes Proaudiostar' (as good as they are).

[Traintrack]

Hello,



I just got an ART Digital MPA-II Dig last week. I have been running it through the paces.

I think that there is something wrong with it.

I cannot get a proper signal level with all the mics that I have tried. From a Neumann TLM103 to AT-4033a to a beta 57.

I always need to apply the +20 boost and then have the gain at 12 and the output at 3 (o'clock). Without the +20 I would get an unusable signal. This is on both channels balanced and digital.

I feel like I need a preamp for this preamp. The rep from ART said that this unit can supply up to 75 db of gain to a signal.

Is this normal for this series? Is everyone cranking up the input gain on their units?

[staticwhitesound]

Originally Posted by Traintrack

Hello,



I just got an ART Digital MPA-II Dig last week. I have been running it through the paces.

I think that there is something wrong with it.

I cannot get a proper signal level with all the mics that I have tried. From a Neumann TLM103 to AT-4033a to a beta 57.

I always need to apply the +20 boost and then have the gain at 12 and the output at 3 (o'clock). Without the +20 I would get an unusable signal. This is on both channels balanced and digital.

I feel like I need a preamp for this preamp. The rep from ART said that this unit can supply up to 75 db of gain to a signal.

Is this normal for this series? Is everyone cranking up the input gain on their units?

i have the original digital mpa, and yeah, if you're having to crank it that much for condensers i think something is wrong. you should send it back if possible.

[dialectic]

So....has anyone compared the new ART Pro MPA 2 with the MPA GOLD???

[Michel]

Good one!

Im in the market for a MPA mk2, can't seem to find one of these second hand or for a good price new., thomann sells them for 550 euros new (i want the digital version). Hope to find a better deal though somewhere else, maybe in UK?

[dialectic]

I was about to purchase an MPA Gold a little while back and then the Pro MPA 2 was released. I understand that the MPA 2 has a few new features but I would like to know how they compare soundwise. Do they sound the same? Anyone...

[adathead 53]

It's been awhile since I had the MPA Gold, but from what I remember of it the Pro MPA 2 has been a definite improvement. Super low noise compared to the Gold version. Still has all the great features of the Gold-variable impedance,variable HPF,high plate voltage switch, DI on both channels. The new M/S feature is cool although it doesn't operate the way I had anticipated. I thought it would split the figure 8 to left and right tracks and that I would use a different pre for the mid mic. What it actually does is decode the figure 8 pattern into 2 signals and sums the mid mic equally with them, creating a really nice pair of stereo tracks. While it's not a true M/S, i do really like the way it sounds compared to any of the standard stereo micing techniques I've used on acoustic guitar. While the MPA 2 will never replace the John Hardy M1 in my rack (unless I get really hard up for cash), I do believe I could make high quality recordings with this pre. I have a total of $315 in this preamp (with NOS Telefunkens). If you're on a tight budget, I highly recommend the Pro MPA 2. It stands up pretty damn well against the high $ stuff.

Larry

[dialectic]

Originally Posted by adathead 53

It's been awhile since I had the MPA Gold, but from what I remember of it the Pro MPA 2 has been a definite improvement. Super low noise compared to the Gold version. Still has all the great features of the Gold-variable impedance,variable HPF,high plate voltage switch, DI on both channels. The new M/S feature is cool although it doesn't operate the way I had anticipated. I thought it would split the figure 8 to left and right tracks and that I would use a different pre for the mid mic. What it actually does is decode the figure 8 pattern into 2 signals and sums the mid mic equally with them, creating a really nice pair of stereo tracks. While it's not a true M/S, i do really like the way it sounds compared to any of the standard stereo micing techniques I've used on acoustic guitar. While the MPA 2 will never replace the John Hardy M1 in my rack (unless I get really hard up for cash), I do believe I could make high quality recordings with this pre. I have a total of $315 in this preamp (with NOS Telefunkens). If you're on a tight budget, I highly recommend the Pro MPA 2. It stands up pretty damn well against the high $ stuff.

Larry

Thanks Larry, this is most helpfull. From what you have said it seems that the Pro MPA 2 is the better choice feature wise and the lower noise level is obviously a huge bonus.
Did you use the same type tubes in your MPA Gold as you now do in your Pro MPA II?
Did you move onto the Pro MPA II as a direct upgrade from the MPA Gold and was this due to the improvement in noise level or the added features?


Asides from the difference in noise level I assume that the MPA Gold and Pro MPA II sound exactly the same (when fitted with the same tubes) but has anyone out there found this not to be the case?

[Musicliner]

Originally Posted by adathead 53

It's been awhile since I had the MPA Gold, but from what I remember of it the Pro MPA 2 has been a definite improvement. Super low noise compared to the Gold version.

This may not be really the case. If you look at the spec sheet. MPA Gold has, in fact, lower noise -133 dBu vs. -129 for Pro MPA 2. THD is

I've just auditioned both, and in reality you can't hear the difference.

In fact, following my research, I've just ordered MPA Gold (they are being discountinued, but some are still available new).

[dialectic]

Originally Posted by Musicliner

This may not be really the case. If you look at the spec sheet. MPA Gold has, in fact, lower noise -133 dBu vs. -129 for Pro MPA 2. THD is

I've just auditioned both, and in reality you can't hear the difference.

In fact, following my research, I've just ordered MPA Gold (they are being discountinued, but some are still available new).

As someone who currently has both the MPA Gold and the Pro MPA II, do you find that they sound identical when fitted with the same tubes?

[adathead 53]

Originally Posted by dialectic

Thanks Larry, this is most helpfull. From what you have said it seems that the Pro MPA 2 is the better choice feature wise and the lower noise level is obviously a huge bonus.
Did you use the same type tubes in your MPA Gold as you now do in your Pro MPA II?
Did you move onto the Pro MPA II as a direct upgrade from the MPA Gold and was this due to the improvement in noise level or the added features?


Asides from the difference in noise level I assume that the MPA Gold and Pro MPA II sound exactly the same (when fitted with the same tubes) but has anyone out there found this not to be the case?

As I mentioned, it's been quite awhile since I had the MPA Gold (I go through a lot of stuff) While I had it I was using an off the shelf pair of JJ/Teslas, whereas my Pro MPA 2 is outfitted with the vintage Telefunkens that tested super low for noise so my opinions about the noise levels may or may not be valid. I think it's pretty safe to say there won't be a noticable difference in the sound of either version and the only real change was the addition of the M/S feature which is cool if you have a use for it. Either way, you can't go wrong for the money. I've been so impressed with the value of this preamp that I plan on keeping it around, even though I don't really use it right now. If I ever need a couple extra channels (or if this economy should force me to sell the Hardy and/or the Great River), I know the MPA will do a great job.

[Musicliner]

Originally Posted by adathead 53

...I think it's pretty safe to say there won't be a noticable difference in the sound of either version and the only real change was the addition of the M/S feature which is cool if you have a use for it. Either way, you can't go wrong for the money.

I completely agree.

[dialectic]

Thanks for the feedback.

[heatfortress]

This thread has the most ADD I've ever seen. I have the same question about MPA Gold vs. Pro MPA 2. One post said Gold was noisier? But the only other informative post said they are very similar in quality.
So while we are all talking about the Presonus Firepod, I might as well just mention that English recording studios seem to have alot of gear. Focusrite preamps are also just as good as the wires in them.