GAP Pre73 vs Dan Alexander 1272

[feral frequency]

When I say PRE73 I mean the Zen Pro Audio mod for it.

The prices are really similar. For 2 ch. of PRE73 w/mod at $600 a pop plus the rack for $50. You are looking at $1250 for a stereo pre.

The Dan Alexander 1272 is $1400 for his stereo pre.

The main benefit I can see to getting the PRE73 (besides saving a tiny bit of money) is that it has variable impedance which I find really lovely with dynamics and ribbons.

Anyone have an opinion on the two? Ever used both? Thanks in advance and sorry for another "vs" thread.

[Chris Lago]

Instead of spending 600 on a Modded GAP, buy a 500 series rack and an MA5. Both can be had used for a great price.

[feral frequency]

Originally Posted by Chris Lago

Instead of spending 600 on a Modded GAP, buy a 500 series rack and an MA5. Both can be had used for a great price.

I have a 500 series rack already. I havent really been that happy with the MA5. I know dont flame me. Everyone here loves it. But, in comparison to the BAE 1272 that I have been using it against side by side it just doesnt sound the way I want it to.

I love the BAE 1272. I think it is fantastic. Just seeing what the options are in a different price range.

And, I dont own either the BAE or the MA5. A studio I use regularly has them both. I am on the Neve quest for my own setup. (on a budget)

Thanks again.

[feral frequency]

Anyone?

[flute player]

Hi there,

I have a Dan Alexander and am very satisfied with it.
It is one of the most underestimated pre that's on the market.
Did you know that there are old Dan Alexander pre's that are sold on Ebay for more that the original price.
The pre has a very colourfull sound.
So you must choose the right mic or instrument for it.

greetz,

Paul

[aclarson]

Not familiar with the Dan Alexander, but you might also wanna look at Seventh Circle Audio's N72, especially if you can build them yourself. They seem to get raved about on the high end quite a bit, they're the only Neve clones I've seen loved as consistently as the Great River and such.

DIY Mic Preamp Kits - Seventh Circle Audio

Also, here's a great thread where some slutz put this thing to the test:
Seventh Circle Audio - A Review of the N72 - The REAL deal

[Todzilla]

Originally Posted by aclarson

Not familiar with the Dan Alexander, but you might also wanna look at Seventh Circle Audio's N72, especially if you can build them yourself. They seem to get raved about on the high end quite a bit, they're the only Neve clones I've seen loved as consistently as the Great River and such.

DIY Mic Preamp Kits - Seventh Circle Audio

Also, here's a great thread where some slutz put this thing to the test:
Seventh Circle Audio - A Review of the N72 - The REAL deal

Concurrence!

My SCA API clone (A12) sounds almost identical to my neighbor's API512c. I think even better. While I don't have a Neve to compare it to, my SCA N72 sound deliciously warm.

[feral frequency]

Originally Posted by aclarson

Not familiar with the Dan Alexander, but you might also wanna look at Seventh Circle Audio's N72, especially if you can build them yourself. They seem to get raved about on the high end quite a bit, they're the only Neve clones I've seen loved as consistently as the Great River and such.

DIY Mic Preamp Kits - Seventh Circle Audio

Also, here's a great thread where some slutz put this thing to the test:
Seventh Circle Audio - A Review of the N72 - The REAL deal

I definitely thought about the N72s. But, I only need a stereo pre. I hate to think about having 6 slots left over doing nothing.

[kidvybes]

...skip the mods and get a pair of stock PRE-73s...they sound great right out of the box (I have an original Neve 1290 as a reference)...then, wait a couple of months and buy two of the upcoming GAP COMP-54s (Neve 2254 compressor clones)...they even offer a 1-U rack for mounting 2 units together...then, for your same $1200 you'll have 2 very decent combo Neve preamp/compressor channels...

...now that's good value!...

...more info here:Golden Age Project's COMP-54 Compressor

[dysenterygary]

You aren't going to get anything "better" than the modded pre73's. I would challenge anyone to be able to tell the difference between a Neve 1073 and a modded pre73. You can get different, but I don't think you can get much better.

[frazzman]

As one of the previous posters said, skip the mod.
Its a process of diminishing returns, the modded unit is double the price for a unit that most people can't tell any difference in.
You could buy 4xGAP's for the price of 2 modded units. These things sound great out of the box. Its not like with the ART MPA where the tube swap makes such a vast difference. The difference between the modded and unmodded units are pretty subtle.

[Jay Kahrs]

Can't tell you squat about whatever other preamp you're looking at, but I wouldn't touch ANYTHING with Dan Alexanders name on it with a 10 meter cattle prod.

I had one of his "1272" pres eons ago...

Things were so bad that Guitar Center gave me a 100% refund almost a year after I purchased the preamp. Went through at least two units and three power supplies before they threw in the towel.

Wiring looked like it was done by a 5th grader.

They sounded good when they worked, which wasn't very often.

Replaced it with a Vintech which has since been sold to a good friend. No complaints on the Vintech... I still use it as his place a dozen times a year or so.

[feral frequency]

When I heard the modded vs unmodded tracks on the Zen site I liked the modded version more on just about everything.

I do mainly very mellow tracks. How is the gain on the unmodded versions? Still as clean when cranked?

[frazzman]

Originally Posted by jaybird.audio

When I heard the modded vs unmodded tracks on the Zen site I liked the modded version more on just about everything.

I do mainly very mellow tracks. How is the gain on the unmodded versions? Still as clean when cranked?

To my ears it is, its a 'mojo' pre anyway, for me I like the quality it imparts on the tracks, regardless of any apparent noise. You can control the noise by how much you drive the input stage, the output/trim is handy incase you dont want an overly coloured sound (bring gain down, leave trim up). I pushed the unit to within its last 10% of gain and it doesnt fall apart.

[8ok]

Originally Posted by dysenterygary

You aren't going to get anything "better" than the modded pre73's. I would challenge anyone to be able to tell the difference between a Neve 1073 and a modded pre73. You can get different, but I don't think you can get much better.

I noticed a difference from the samples on the zen audio site between the pre73/neve...


now the chameleon mod is another story... I could barely hear any difference on one of the samples and nothing on the others.

[WB1984]

Originally Posted by feral frequency

I have a 500 series rack already. I havent really been that happy with the MA5. I know dont flame me. Everyone here loves it. But, in comparison to the BAE 1272 that I have been using it against side by side it just doesnt sound the way I want it to.

I love the BAE 1272. I think it is fantastic. Just seeing what the options are in a different price range.

And, I dont own either the BAE or the MA5. A studio I use regularly has them both. I am on the Neve quest for my own setup. (on a budget)

Thanks again.

Have you tried the 500NV?

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by Jay Kahrs

Can't tell you squat about whatever other preamp you're looking at, but I wouldn't touch ANYTHING with Dan Alexanders name on it with a 10 meter cattle prod.

I had one of his "1272" pres eons ago...

Things were so bad that Guitar Center gave me a 100% refund almost a year after I purchased the preamp. Went through at least two units and three power supplies before they threw in the towel.

Wiring looked like it was done by a 5th grader.

They sounded good when they worked, which wasn't very often.

Replaced it with a Vintech which has since been sold to a good friend. No complaints on the Vintech... I still use it as his place a dozen times a year or so.

wow, never heard that one, I guess there is a bad one in every maker out there.

[John N]

Here's another option:

Buy 2 stock GAP 73s for $600.00 then send them to Dave Thomas at AA Microphones and he will mod them for $200 each. His mod does all the ZenPro mod does except the Output transformer. He claims that the stock OT tranny specs and sounds as good as the carnhill, and that the biggest and most audible improvement is in the Input tranny and tantalum caps.

Now your outlay is $1100. and shipping to BC, Canada. But you must be patient with Dave, hes' busy and the turnaround will probably be a bout a month with transit to and from BC.

[lectric]

I have a Dan Alexander pre for 5 years and work perfect..a very nice and fat preamp. Do you know what transformer have the stock version???