So, i finally got an art mpa gold

[FilmNMusicman]

I've wanted on for YEARS...I'd never come across one for the right price...I was always wondering...Is this lauded because of it's color and appearance, pose appeal, OR does it really stand up and the low enders answer to some high end heavy duty bosses.........

I must say before all this I own (looking to sell) an original American Made ART PRO VLA from 96'. This was always a nice pre, it was warm, it was fun and easy but never actually got used the way I'd like to get use from a pre, so it sat collecting dust.

Compared to my Eureka, VXP and ART PRO MPA V1 this this is a MONSTER...It really has great transient response and while it does take a bit of work to make the tube warmth and the output levels to work to your liking you can eventually make this baby SHINE like no other pre I have. Warm but detailed, not at all, fuzzy...very round...So I took a look inside, and these guts are NIIIICE. The difference in component quality is quite an upgrade, the high plate voltage is where it's at. It's not going to save your life, or make your mixes platinum BUT it's probably the best I've heard for how old it is and what you can pick one up for (if you can find one).

I'll stop being excited now, this piece of gear is like 10 years old now, I'm sure we're all over it lol

[Bad Machinery]

I have to say...I want one!

[ivmike]

I love my MPA II and my MPA Gold; swapping out the tubes for some lovely NOS Sylvania Long PLates (in the MPA II) and NOS Telefunkens (in the MPA Gold) have really turned these pre-maps into superb machines (and they were already great, out of the box).

[ChubbyPanda]

I love mine and would not sell it. It is not spectacular but it always works.

By the way I have old RCA's 12AX7s and they made a huge difference.

[FilmNMusicman]

Yeah, I changed mine out for some JJ's, I have to say, it's much smoother than I expected. The original PRO MPA was definitely smooth but it more of a High Frequency Roll Off kinda way. This is just smooth, in high voltage mode it almost slightly compresses your signal, but doesn't have that drastic roll off like the original.

My Eureka, which I love has some competition now. I still own a Presonus VXP as well...That's now my dust collector....Even though it is very very good!!

Oh and I don't think I have to mention that it's a beautiful peice that's extremely well constructed. ART really did a great job with this one....back in 2004 lol

[firefly419]

I also put JJ's in mine. Pretty freakin nice for the price.

[dkelley]

Originally Posted by FilmNMusicman

I must say before all this I own (looking to sell) an original American Made ART PRO VLA from 96'. This was always a nice pre

the pro vla is a compressor, not a preamp. plugging a mic into it isn't the correct operation.

I suspect you meant "compressor", not pre :-)

but just in case you didn't mean that, using the vla correctly could improve it's tone and usefulness considerably :-)

edit: ANYhow, I'm excited for you about the mpa gold. It really is a very cool preamp - I love mine, always have, always will. I quite like stock tubes in it, but other tubes do have some great qualities as well in them.

[FilmNMusicman]

Ugh, how many times will I switch MPA and VLA.....I meant I own the original PRO MPA from 96' haha

It's actually on it's way to a new owner today...selling it for $100 bucks...fair I think...in its time it was a monster

There is still that low mid bump that I always liked with the MPA, just clearer highs and smoother response overall. Last pre for me is the Summit 2A, then I'm done!