13th August 2012
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#1 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2010 Location: Dolno Sonje, Sopiste, Macedonia
Posts: 971
Thread Starter | Behringer Eurorack vs Art Digital MPA, mic preamps
Hi,
Imagine this mic chain:
u87 -> cheap behringer mixer -> audio interface analog input.
then, suppose you're getting a Art Digital MPA on ebay (the older model, not mkII) replacing the behringer and avoiding analog inputs. then then you get:
u87 -> Art Digitral MPA -> audio interface digital inpunt (spdif)
my question is: what do you reckon? provided that the room, cables, knowledge etc is sorted, will the results get noticeably, obviously and unquestionably better? Or, perhaps, one will need to listen carefully to notice a difference in sound quality?
what's your guess?
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13th August 2012
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#2 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Oregon
Posts: 260
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Your kidding right ?
Well OK. i just happen to have both of those setups, the ART is a clear winner, just make sure you put some nice tubes in it.
The eurorack us ok for live, but its not really something id use to record.
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13th August 2012
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#3 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 1,299
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MPA will be 5x better
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13th August 2012
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#4 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jul 2012 Location: Detroit MI
Posts: 75
| Quote:
Originally Posted by NothingTheory  Your kidding right ?
Well OK. i just happen to have both of those setups, the ART is a clear winner, just make sure you put some nice tubes in it.
The eurorack us ok for live, but its not really something id use to record. | Hey what exact tubes did u put in your mpa? I got some Nos tubes on eBay and I feel like its worse
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13th August 2012
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#5 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,167
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The Art MPA happens to be the most flattering, fantastic preamps I've used to date among budget preamps. I upgraded the stock tubes to JJ's. I've used the Gap Pre73, ISA ONE and FMR RNP and think all of these lack the terrific mid-forward presence and sheen you get with the ART MPA II. Keep in mind that I'm not using the digital version. I got my ART for 175 bucks used, and let me tell, it's turned out to be an absolute terrific deal.
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13th August 2012
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#6 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 1,299
| Quote:
Originally Posted by guitarboy94 The Art MPA happens to be the most flattering, fantastic preamps I've used to date among budget preamps. I upgraded the stock tubes to JJ's. I've used the Gap Pre73, ISA ONE and FMR RNP and think all of these lack the terrific mid-forward presence and sheen you get with the ART MPA II. Keep in mind that I'm not using the digital version. I got my ART for 175 bucks used, and let me tell, it's turned out to be an absolute terrific deal. | I can't deny that the ART is simply fantastic. I own the MPA Gold with JJ Low noise tubes, and a GAP 73 MKII. I'm still getting used to the GAP and it's a brilliant preamp but the ART still sounds better on some things. Interestingly clean guitar parts.
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13th August 2012
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#7 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,167
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Yep, the Gap is very nice, but a little too blurry sounding at times in the highs. I feel like the Art gets you that mid-forward tone AND adds a terrific sheen to the sound. It's actually a pretty clean sounding preamp compared to the GAP, which can border on muddy sounding if you aren't careful. Quote:
Originally Posted by mattjew24 I can't deny that the ART is simply fantastic. I own the MPA Gold with JJ Low noise tubes, and a GAP 73 MKII. I'm still getting used to the GAP and it's a brilliant preamp but the ART still sounds better on some things. Interestingly clean guitar parts. | | |
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13th August 2012
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#8 | | Toronto Maple Leafs fan
Joined: Nov 2009 Location: Winnipeg MB
Posts: 2,052
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I'd guess that IF you stay in the Behringers "range" and don't push it you'd do fine with it. I think the ART might offer you a bit more usable gain, some color but certainly not a billion miles away. I wouldn't cringe at that signal chain, not my first choice but it would definitely work.
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13th August 2012
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#9 | | Gear Head
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 57
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So a jj tube... would that be like one of these? JJ Electronic
I've had one of those pre's in my closet because it just wasn't useful once I upgraded, but if this would help it out, it would be awwwwesome!
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13th August 2012
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#10 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Oregon
Posts: 260
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ivebenrecording So a jj tube... would that be like one of these? JJ Electronic
I've had one of those pre's in my closet because it just wasn't useful once I upgraded, but if this would help it out, it would be awwwwesome! | Ive got a NOS seimens in one side and a NOS valvo in the other providing some variance in color and have been quite happy.
For new stock tubes i used to bash JJ tubes just a little because what i tried didnt sound good to me in pre's - but since then have learned that what i had tried before was the short plate $9 variety. ( ok for guitar amps, not as good for pre's ) I recently tried out the JJ ECC803S (12AX7) types and was pleasantly surprised. Particularly the gold pin model.. a very nice tube if you prefer to go new stock. Construction is somewhat similar to the old RCA designs.
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14th August 2012
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#11 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 1,299
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Yes I believe I use the gold pin low noise JJs in my MPA Gold.
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