Vintech 273 vs Aurora GTQ2mkII

[brian_delizza]

I am about to buy one of these two and I was wondering if you guys have any experience with both of these preamps. I am going to be using it to track sounds from my MPC and my soundmodules. If someone out there has an A/B comparison of them I would love to hear it.

Thanks

[ShaneFontane]

Funny... I am looking at the GTQ as well... AND I have also wondered the difference between both of these pieces... The only difference I found so far was that the GTQ has 3 Band EQ vs 2 Band on the Vintech...

I am sure there has to be more to the GTQ considering it's $1k more, but maybe I am wrong. Anyone have any thoughts?

[TonyBelmont]

It's kind of like the difference between a Bentley and a Chrysler 300.... Yeah, they're both cars that look similar, but...

Also the GTQ is now mkIII, not mkII

[ShaneFontane]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

It's kind of like the difference between a Bentley and a Chrysler 300.... Yeah, they're both cars that look similar, but...

hahaha... honestly though, out of everyone on this board - i am sure you must know the technical difference.

Is it the parts? The board? Something, right? Or is it because they are not made in large quantity?

I haven't met anyone outside this forum who has even heard of it yet! lol

Tony please shed some light as you seem to be the only person that knows so much about this unit.

Thanks!

[brian_delizza]

Thanks, and yea I meant the mkIII that was a typo.

I think I am going to get the Aurora, and I am very very excited.

[ShaneFontane]

Tony (or anyone who has the GTQ)... I have another question about the GTQ...

How would I run the C2 or other buss compressor on it since it has no inserts? Would I just run the outs directly into the C2 and the outs of the C2 directly into the RME?

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by ShaneFontane

hahaha... honestly though, out of everyone on this board - i am sure you must know the technical difference.

Is it the parts? The board? Something, right? Or is it because they are not made in large quantity?

I haven't met anyone outside this forum who has even heard of it yet! lol

Tony please shed some light as you seem to be the only person that knows so much about this unit.

Thanks!

Where do I start...

It's a completely different circuit inside to start with...

But, besides the fact that the actual design is different, the GTQ uses much higher quality (expensive) parts, including higher quality knobs, pots, switches, etc. When I say higher quality, I'm not just throwing the term around.... real Marconi knobs on the GTQ (same as 1073).

The transformers in the GTQ are totally unique and are made by the original Marinair transformer staff (those are the people that made the transformers everyone loved on the vintage 1073's)... The GTQ is made by someone who not only had something to do with the company Neve, but is considered the authority on all things Neve. His name is Geoff Tanner and you can do a search to learn about him.

I could go on & on, but you get the idea.

[joshelevator]

Originally Posted by ShaneFontane

Tony (or anyone who has the GTQ)... I have another question about the GTQ...

How would I run the C2 or other buss compressor on it since it has no inserts? Would I just run the outs directly into the C2 and the outs of the C2 directly into the RME?

it sounds like you need a patchbay

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by ShaneFontane

Tony (or anyone who has the GTQ)... I have another question about the GTQ...

How would I run the C2 or other buss compressor on it since it has no inserts? Would I just run the outs directly into the C2 and the outs of the C2 directly into the RME?

You would just run the outs directly to the C2 and then to the RME...

Originally Posted by joshelevator

it sounds like you need a patchbay

A patchbay would be nice, but there isn't enough outboard gear in his setup to warrant a patchbay.

[ShaneFontane]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Where do I start...

It's a completely different circuit inside to start with...

But, besides the fact that the actual design is different, the GTQ uses much higher quality (expensive) parts, including higher quality knobs, pots, switches, etc. When I say higher quality, I'm not just throwing the term around.... real Marconi knobs on the GTQ (same as 1073).

The transformers in the GTQ are totally unique and are made by the original Marinair transformer staff (those are the people that made the transformers everyone loved on the vintage 1073's)... The GTQ is made by someone who not only had something to do with the company Neve, but is considered the authority on all things Neve. His name is Geoff Tanner and you can do a search to learn about him.

I could go on & on, but you get the idea.

Thanks Tony. I thought those knobs looked familiar! lol I appreciate the more in-depth info. I still feel quite attached to this piece and I haven't even purchased it yet. lol. I will look into Geoff's history a bit more.

Thanks again. And thanks for answering the quick question about the chain.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by ShaneFontane

Thanks Tony. I thought those knobs looked familiar! lol I appreciate the more in-depth info. I still feel quite attached to this piece and I haven't even purchased it yet. lol. I will look into Geoff's history a bit more.

Thanks again. And thanks for answering the quick question about the chain.

No problem... Here's a little blurb about his work at Neve:

"Geoff Tanner having worked for Rupert Neve & Co. Ltd, Neve Electronic Laboratories, and Neve Electronics International from October 1971 to December 1985 in the roles of Electrical Design Draughtsman, Head of the Electrical Drawing Office, Custom Design Engineer in Sales Engineering, Special Orders Department Manager, Spares Orders Manager, and Special Projects Manager... the last three positions held concurrently."

[nukmusic]

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=61405

just for reference..

I love the unit. one more band on the eq would have been nice too.

[brian_delizza]

Thanks guys I'm definitely getting it....

Since I started this thread I have more questions unrelated to the title, but I don't want to start a new thread.

I am about to make a significant investment in upping the quality of my project studio and I am contemplating the different setups I am going to go with, the pre being one of the items.

Its pretty much as follows:

HD1 system (either 192s or the apogee AD-16x)
Neve 8816
Aurora GTQ2mkIII
Distressor (Stereo pair)
Culture Vulture

and here is what I am contemplating, and your input and opinions would be much appreciated.

I am contemplating having my 002 modded by Black Lion and then adding a Rosetta 800 to get a total of 16 I/Os. If I go with this route I will have to patch in the summing amp come time to final bounce, as I won't have any I/O's for inserts otherwise. This would also allow me to invest that extra money in a manley pultec a big ben (I wouldn't need it with the AD-16x...), and possibly a lot more outboard goodness....

I would much rather mix while monitoring through the summing amp, but there is no possible way with the 002 given its limited I/O. This is where I would normally go off on the steep price jump between LE and HD, but I'll save that for a later day....

Oh the horrible frustration of indecisiveness associated with being a gear slut....

All the while my subconscious is telling me to ditch PT altogether and stick with Logic (Motu interfaces??)

Hmmm... What would you do?