Thoughts on Symetrix 628?

[dickiefunk]

Hi,

Are there any Symetrix 628 users here?

How good is this preamp?

[GZsound]

Symetrix doesn't get very many reviews on these forums. They have been very popular in broadcast for years.

I bought a 528e on Craigslist for $75 and it has been a nice addition to my studio. It's clean, quiet and very useful, especially for voice over work.

But for some strange reason, Symetrix hasn't become popular in the audio world, even though they are so well respected in commercial broadcast.

[DCtoDaylight]

I don't know the 628, but I've had a Sym 202 for many years and it's an excellent pre. Not a "character" box, but very clean and honest. Mine was modded with new capacitors to make it quieter, but the stock ones are good too.

As GZSound notes, Symetrix is an oddly unheralded company - their stuff isn't glam, but generally delivers a very good signal.

[krucifyx]

I have experience with the 528, the 525 and the 501... Great company, good gear, decent price (dirt cheap these days). I don't have any idea how the 628 sounds, but if it's similar to the preamp section in the 528, then it's pretty decent stuff.

As mentioned above, Symetrix is not known for having produced gear that colors the sound (Althoug, my 501 comps def have some great mojo). So don't pull the trigger if you're after that, but if you're in for a good clean preamp, this thing is certainly worth a try.

[dickiefunk]

To be honest I'm looking for a clean uncolored preamp and have been saving up to get something like the True Systems P-Solo, Grace M101 or Audient Mico but have seen the 628 very cheap!

I have heard good things about the SX202.

I've been using a DMP3 and Tampa and am wondering how these pres compare to the others I've listed?

[krucifyx]

I have never hear those pres, so I can't compare. Just know that Symetrix is a company that made its name buy selling good quality professional equipment at a decent price to radios and studios, and I have yet to hear people ranting about them making bad, low end products.

If it's anyway close to the 528 (which it kinda claims to be), you'll have tons of clean gain, a very fast preamp (perfect for picking up the transiant of any accoustic/percussive instr.), a surgical EQ (but quite not handy to tweak), and a decent compressor as an added bonus.

By the way, it might help to read through the manual:
http://www.symetrixaudio.com/kb/628_ug.pdf

(You should also know that these guys are usually great at answering any question you may have regarding their products).

Best,
Sampiero