NEW! ART Pro MPA II Reference Series...Gimmic???

[river]

I'll be curious to hear about your results. I have three original MPA's with NOS tubes, love them.

[appleburger]

They keep making them look uglier and uglier! I'd be interested to know the specific differences this model comes with.

[dickiefunk]

Yeas looks interesting. Can't find anything about this on their website??

Is this made exclusively for Musicians Friend like Presonus made a limited 'Hotrod' edition of the Eureka for Audiomidi??

[MaxSpl]

To me it sounds like they simply did a tube swap.... could be wrong though. That said, with only a $30 or so difference between the two if the tubes they put in it are good it may be worth stepping to it from the normal MPA.

Wait a second; wasn't this listed as the MPA III a couple of months ago as a coming soon?

[ivmike]

I too would be curious; it seems from a read of the specifications that the tubes are improved over the MPA II, which is something that most of us that own these MPA (or the ubiquitous Gold) units have done with our own.

Improved tubes and it's still only $300 new. Not bad; not bad at all.

[changeng]

sounds like the only real difference will be the tubes - ummm... even odds they use a matched pair of poop - NOS tubes tend to be pricey, especially the ones you need to show a huge diff.

Why don't they just make a "deluxe" version with all high-grade parts??? Even just a cap upgrade and a better power supply build could be cheap and give a way better product (judging this on an upgrade I had done to my Pro Channel last year - big improvement).

[dickiefunk]

If the only differences are upgraded tubes, blue lights and different knobs then I'll pass on this!!

New caps, psu etc as changeng mentioned would make it worth it but if our suspicions are correct then I'll be saving my money!!

I think the ART MPA series have the potential to be a great unit and if they sorted out the noise at higher gain levels would be a fantastic preamp!

[FilmNMusicman]

Emailed A.R.T. but haven't heard back yet....I'd like to hear back from them before I just haul off and purchase this Blue Eyed Monster just for the purpose of reviewing it for us slutz.

[GoldMember]

no Digital MPA RS?

[dickiefunk]

Originally Posted by GoldMember

no Digital MPA RS?

or Pro VLA II Reference Series?

[FilmNMusicman]

...still waiting for my answer...This isn't looking good for ART's customer relations department.

[sporadicMotion]

Originally Posted by FilmNMusicman

...still waiting for my answer...This isn't looking good for ART's customer relations department.

I've dealt with them a few times. They were always helpful and quick to respond. Be sure to share when they do.

[FilmNMusicman]

Applied Research & Technology to me


Hello Stephen,

No gimmick! It's an alternative version of the MPA specifically made in conjunction with the dealer. I am waiting for the return of my pal the ART Sales Manager, he'll be in tomorrow. At that time I will have access to a sell sheet that details all of the differences, and I will pass that along to you.

Sincerely,
Thom Davis
***************************************************
Technical Services
Applied Research and Technology

www.artproaudio.com
Creating Audio Solutions Since 1984
***************************************************

So far this is how I've gotten, look for a review as soon as they give me some specs. I'll go and purchase it for review ASAP!

[Snatchman]

Originally Posted by changeng

sounds like the only real difference will be the tubes - ummm... even odds they use a matched pair of poop - NOS tubes tend to be pricey, especially the ones you need to show a huge diff.

Why don't they just make a "deluxe" version with all high-grade parts??? Even just a cap upgrade and a better power supply build could be cheap and give a way better product (judging this on an upgrade I had done to my Pro Channel last year - big improvement).

Or better still, since they seem to wanna be true analog pieces, just make these fockers with thru-hole PCBs ( not the "SMT" topology) so they can be easily modded...What 'bout some sockets and such..!..

[FilmNMusicman]

As I promised more into:

"Hello Stephen,

Here is a promo sheet for the model. The main differences are tighter screening on tube selection, the gold plated connectors, and the cosmetic changes.

I hope this information is useful, please let me know if I can help further."

Nice to know some details....Then I asked about the ever looming question about starved plate design. This is what Thom had to say:

"Hello Stephen,

No, we think the 50 volts we send to the plate is perfect for the sound we are hoping for! Since it's appropriate to the circuit, I would say it's just enough. But yes, some people would call that starved.

The MPAII, and this new reference series version also offers choice for people though; the overload qualities are like the ProMPA in the "NORMAL" voltage mode. There is also a "HIGH" voltage mode has more headroom. Also, in the "HIGH" voltage mode there is a sharper transition to saturation/clipping than the "NORMAL" mode so, personally, I still prefer "normal", but it's good to give people options."

Sincerely,
Thom Davis
***************************************************
Technical Services
Applied Research and Technology

A division of Yorkville Sound

As promised I'll be purchasing the unit to compare and I'll post my finding to see if there is any sonic improvement

[Eric Pederson]

Could you please attach that "promo sheet" if you can?

You are going to shoot out the MPAII and the new MPAII Reference edition of course?

[Rob Coates]

So, it looks like the only difference is the (what I would consider) uglier design and different tubes. Sure looks like a gimmick to sell more of the same thing. Still think the original MPA Gold is the best looking design of the three. If they wanted to really improve the design, they would make it transformer balanced, and either have better op amps or socketed ones so the user could upgrade them like the tubes.

[appleburger]

Originally Posted by Rob Coates

So, it looks like the only difference is the (what I would consider) uglier design and different tubes. Sure looks like a gimmick to sell more of the same thing. Still think the original MPA Gold is the best looking design of the three. If they wanted to really improve the design, they would make it transformer balanced, and either have better op amps or socketed ones so the user could upgrade them like the tubes.

and it sounds like its not even necessarily "different" tubes, they've just squeezed down the acceptable tolerances of what passes QC and what doesn't. so realistically the audible difference should be pretty minimal, just more consistent from unit to unit.

sticking with my MPA gold!

[Rokus666]

I want one next to my Avalon 737.
I want to break the myth...

[Colin McCabe]

What's the myth?

[Rokus666]

Originally Posted by Colin McCabe

What's the myth?

The myth that expensive gear is the only way to achieve superb sound quality...

[CPhoenix]

I would buy this and put it next to a Beat Thang.




And i'd mix the track on my playstation 2.

[scorpix74]

I've bought the reference series here in France but I can't compare to the normal one...
I wanted the VLA but now I've seen the pro channel with a really good deal so I don't know what to do! Is the channel the exact compilation of the MPA and the VLA (I won't use the EQ...)?

[changeng]

No it's not. The Pro Channel is a stripped down version of the VLA and doesn't have the higher voltage option that the MPA has. It's a fun box, but you'd be better off getting the separate MPA and VLA units.

The only real plus to the Pro Channel is it has a tube circuit in the compressor stage, which (once you've changed the tubes) can give you some shiny compression. Also, it's EQ is much more useful than it's given credit for.

[FilmNMusicman]

I still have yet to test this even though I started the thread...I think because they changes were basically BASIC I didn't think it was worth buying both. Especially when the MPA Gold is as always treating me awesome.

I'm sure it was a "gimmic", but really the VLA and MPA are two of the best budget boxes around. I prefer the 1st Gen of VLA and the GOLD over the 1st Gen MPA.

I think I just like old things hahaha.

[jcoutu1]

This box is the SDOTD today. Has anyone used it?

[scorpix74]

What's SDOTD?
I bought one but I let it in my other place. So not used so much actually...

Envoyé depuis mon U8860 avec Tapatalk

[jcoutu1]

Originally Posted by scorpix74

What's SDOTD?
I bought one but I let it in my other place. So not used so much actually...

Envoyé depuis mon U8860 avec Tapatalk

Studpid Deal of the Day on Musicians Friend. 2 bones.

[playingwithplato]

Hello gents,

I'm looking into getting a preamp for project studio, I was considering the PreSonus Channel strip (tube) which can be had for $250. I know PreSonus is the trending company these days, but this ART pre looks like it has better specs and its two channels. What say you all, any opinions?

Yes, Musicians Friend does have it as teh stupid deal of the day for $200. The reference series seems to mainly be tubes with tighter tolerances "matched" and gold connectors for lower noise.