Seventh Circle Audio Pres vs. ???

[jrides]

Different yes.
Better for the same money, no.
N72. Recently shot them out against GAP. Cool pre, but I no longer have GAP.
Recently shot them against MA5. MA5 sounded cleaner in a way I "think" I can use, so I might add it. Not sure. The N72 is more Neveish sounding. But I have a deep voice. Adding N72 could cause unplanned pregnancies, and civil unrest.
N72 are dark and lovely.
A12 is thick with more midrange.
It depends on what you need. One of each wouldn't hurt.
They are not clean though. Very colored compared to C84 and T15.

[stgaudio]

I'm just finished building a 1073 Quad from Sound Skulptor kits. I'm not sure how they compare price wise in $ as I'm in the UK, but, I'm so, so impressed with these pre's. I've had experience with BAE, AMS and although I've not done a shoot out A/B, these clones certainly capture the vibe of Neve gear exceptionally well. Well worth checking out if you want to DIY.

I made a custom front panel & bought some knobs from group diy for mine cuz I'm a total geek.

They also do an API 512 which I'm about to build x4 of.

[LTJazz]

SCA and Hairball Audio FTW. Best bang for your buck.

[alexevans917]

Originally Posted by jrides

Different yes.
Better for the same money, no.
N72. Recently shot them out against GAP. Cool pre, but I no longer have GAP.
Recently shot them against MA5. MA5 sounded cleaner in a way I "think" I can use, so I might add it. Not sure. The N72 is more Neveish sounding. But I have a deep voice. Adding N72 could cause unplanned pregnancies, and civil unrest.
N72 are dark and lovely.
A12 is thick with more midrange.
It depends on what you need. One of each wouldn't hurt.
They are not clean though. Very colored compared to C84 and T15.

Thanks for your reply! I may go for two of the cleaner types (what's the difference between the two?) at first to use for stereo nuking things, and then add one each of the Neve type and the other colored one. Does anyone know what pres these modules were based on? The N72 I would imagine is a classic Neve, and then the A12 could be an API? The others?

Thanks,

Alex

[LTJazz]

Foolish if you don't get the N72. Easily the best of all their preamps.

Originally Posted by alexevans917

Thanks for your reply! I may go for two of the cleaner types (what's the difference between the two?) at first to use for stereo nuking things, and then add one each of the Neve type and the other colored one. Does anyone know what pres these modules were based on? The N72 I would imagine is a classic Neve, and then the A12 could be an API? The others?

Thanks,

Alex

[alexevans917]

Originally Posted by LTJazz

Foolish if you don't get the N72. Easily the best of all their preamps.

By nuking I meant miking- autocorrect. Perhaps I can get 3... The Neve sounds like it would add a lot to vocal work on some of the folk and indie stuff I do.

[DeadPoet]

Adding 4x N72 and 4xA12 to my setup was the best investment I EVER did in my studio. I can honestly say that between my SCA rack and the stuff I have (32x clean D&R preamps in a desk and 2x UA610 - which are probably the least used as preamps) I am 100% done looking for preamps.


Yes I could dream of having 4 more Neves or 4 more API's, but will never have a real NEED for them.



Herwig

[Magnus]

The Sound Skulptor preamps are highly recommended! Their Neve version is very good and also has three gain stages, just like the original Neve 1290 (1073 preamp).

[jrides]

OP

T15 is designed similar to the DAV circuit
J99 clasic Jensen design.John Hardy-esque
C84 - Millenia styled circuit.
N72 - Neve
A12 - API

Good preamps for the money.
PM me if you are looknig for T15's I go back and forth regarding if I want to sell mine. I keep saying I want to replace them with the J99 so I can give that one a try. However, I dont really "need" the J99, so I havent put a lot of effort into releasing the T15's. LOL