Mp20 information needed

[statikcat]

I bought an MP20 a few years back from a co-worker. He mentioned it had some type of upgrade to a chip or transformer or something. I can't remember what he called it possibly Jensen? Anyway I am curious exactly what this is and how I can open it to verify the information is accurate. Is this reversable? Can other mods be added to this?

I picked up a Twintrak last weekend and it sounds like balls compared to the MP20. I have read some people love and some hate the MP20. So what's the deal? I know some people slam any product just because GC sells it reguardless so I don't really care for those "opinions". I am thinking about getting an FMR RNP.. which runs about the same cost (new) as an MP20. Is the RNP really THAT much better? I don't want to get a new pre if it is going to sound worse (again). If it is close I will just stick with the MP20 and use the RNC on the inserts.

Thanks for any info.

[warhead]

He must have upgraded the transformers to Jensen, which is what used to be stock on those units years ago. I have never been impressed with the MP20, but don't expect an RNP to just blow its doors off either.

War

[Nu-tra]

I used to have the ones with jensens in them... I upgraded the op amps to analog devices... I wouldn't waste your money... I would save up to get a sytek or somthing...

V

[joelpatterson]

I've got an older MP-20 and the Sytek, and like my broker is E. F. Hutton, I'd say the Sytek is a couple plateaus above the '20... not that the '20 isn't s'wonderful and everything, it's just that it's bogged down with these ideas that, upon reflection, were stupid-- the ridiculous "tape simulation" dial-in and the use-it-only-in-the-one-odd-case-you-are-going-to-a-2-track "mix bus" that pans the two channels together.

Also the incredibly detailed level LEDs, I mean, sure, great. Nice to have the lo-cut. The Sytek by contrast is just much more vividly accurately real, without any frills whatsoever. If you haven't got one... you need one.

[Eric Dahlberg]

The mod is to change the transformers to Jensens & the op amps to Burr Browns. However, it may be possible that your unit is old enough that it came stock with these components (this is how they used to ship, Presonus changed the parts to lower costs). Changing op amps is as easy as popping in a new IC, changing transformers is a bit more work.

A customer once told me he changed the op amps from Burr Browns to some new Analog Devices chips. The difference in sound is similar to how Joel compares his Sytek to the MP20 (the Analog Devices representing the Sytek). Unfortunately, I don't remember the chip model.

[kidvybes]

...read this thread...it has all the info on the Burr-Brown upgrade...I've done it on both my MP20 and Eureka...definately an improvement on both...the BB op-amps can be requested for FREE from Texas Instruments directly...
http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=124590