Dav bg-1 vs grace 101 vs true systems p-solo vs rnp

[Kompakt]

Which mic preamp do you think gives the best Pro-results and is an all-rounder- can handle both tube mics (rode k2) and dynamics (re20).

Im just recording vocals so 1 channel will be enough. I got a rode K2 and am also looking for a audio interface. willing to spend U$700 max on the preamp and U$700 max on the interface.

Heard crazy reviews about the Grace 101 and RNP.

Heard some good reviews about the DAV BG-1.

True Systems P-Solo is what im leaning towards, every magazine has given it an excellent review, and it looks BLOODY GOOD. Havent heard a SINGLE bad feedback about it, maybe cause there arent many users.

Help me out dudes!

[The Marrvel]

Save $300-$400 more and go for a sure thing! No, seriously.

[jdjustice]

Originally Posted by Kompakt

Which mic preamp do you think gives the best Pro-results and is an all-rounder- can handle both tube mics (rode k2) and dynamics (re20).

Im just recording vocals so 1 channel will be enough. I got a rode K2 and am also looking for a audio interface. willing to spend U$700 max on the preamp and U$700 max on the interface.

consider spending $450 on an Mbox2/PT LE and the other $1000 on one channel of great preamplification, like the Great River ME-1NV or the Tab-Funkenwerk V78M.
that's what i would do at least.

of the choices you listed, the DAV would be my pick but it is very clean and you might want some of that 'Neve' color you get from a Great River.

cheers.
~j.d.

[petsematary]

All those pre's are excellent. Decide if you need one or two channels - two of the specified units are stereo pre's, two are mono.

Originally Posted by Kompakt

Which mic preamp do you think gives the best Pro-results and is an all-rounder- can handle both tube mics (rode k2) and dynamics (re20).

Im just recording vocals so 1 channel will be enough. I got a rode K2 and am also looking for a audio interface. willing to spend U$700 max on the preamp and U$700 max on the interface.

Heard crazy reviews about the Grace 101 and RNP.

Heard some good reviews about the DAV BG-1.

True Systems P-Solo is what im leaning towards, every magazine has given it an excellent review, and it looks BLOODY GOOD. Havent heard a SINGLE bad feedback about it, maybe cause there arent many users.

Help me out dudes!

[uncle duncan]

DAV sounds so much better than the other two you mentioned. There's a clip of it around here compared to a Buzz pre, and the DAV sounds luscious - clean but round at the same time.
For interfaces, I'm partial to Motu, because their software is so great, but then you have to send the interface to Black Lion to get the analog stage modded. I think they're all in the same ballpark, soundwise, when you're spending under a grand. At least with the motu, you can get them modded. Black Lion doesn't work on every interface made.

[Tone Laborer]

The True is a nice sounding pre as well.

[Kompakt]

Originally Posted by petsematary

All those pre's are excellent. Decide if you need one or two channels - two of the specified units are stereo pre's, two are mono.

Just need 1 channel as Im just recording vocals from my Rode K2.

So maybe its either Grace 101 Or True Systems P-Solo right now..
just depends which one will amplify the signals from a tube better!

[petsematary]

I'm about to go Grace myself. They seem really really good. I don't think you'll be disappointed with anyone of them. Maybe you oughtta go with the True just to be different?

[Jonboy79]

I just had my first session with a True Systems P-8 and man is it nice. It's really amazing how it makes everything sound so much better than thru my cheaper pres. I really wasn't expecting much at all, just clean pre's, yet my drums seem to have more punch and the guitars are so much more alive. I never knew a good preamp would make this big of a difference. I would probably choose the True over the Grace but if the DAV does what everyone says it does I'd probably have to go with that one, either way though I'm sure you'll be happy.

[88fingerz]

I'm amazed at the quality sounds coming out of an Apogee mini-me. Mic pres, line in, comp/limiter, a/d conversion....very very impressive.

$720.00 (U.S.)......NO BRAINER!!!

[pianoman]

There have been some recent samples comparing DAV to others:

On piano, for example, there's

DAV vs. Buzz piano
http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=100579

DAV vs. RNP piano
http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=97150

Perhaps others could supply references they are aware of for vocals.

I find it fascinating that even when the differences are clear, different people prefer different sounds. On the DAV vs. Buzz (which is admittedly not low end), listener preference is close to 50-50 (with a slight edge to DAV at the moment). So it's important that you try to find opportunities to listen and judge for yourself rather than rely too much on consensus of thought. I can say that there are a number of GS members who are willing to make such samples available. On that basis I got the DAV BG-1 and am thrilled.

Originally Posted by Kompakt

Which mic preamp do you think gives the best Pro-results and is an all-rounder- can handle both tube mics (rode k2) and dynamics (re20).

Im just recording vocals so 1 channel will be enough. I got a rode K2 and am also looking for a audio interface. willing to spend U$700 max on the preamp and U$700 max on the interface.

Heard crazy reviews about the Grace 101 and RNP.

Heard some good reviews about the DAV BG-1.

True Systems P-Solo is what im leaning towards, every magazine has given it an excellent review, and it looks BLOODY GOOD. Havent heard a SINGLE bad feedback about it, maybe cause there arent many users.

Help me out dudes!

[ISedlacek]

Here are few interesting comparisons:

I. Pendulum MDP-1 vs. DAV (instrumental)

Pendulum

DAV

II. DAV vs. Millennia HV-3 (vocal)

DAV

HV-3

[bap]

It's risky to believe that you only need one channel.

[petsematary]

Originally Posted by 88fingerz

I'm amazed at the quality sounds coming out of an Apogee mini-me. Mic pres, line in, comp/limiter, a/d conversion....very very impressive.

$720.00 (U.S.)......NO BRAINER!!!

$2.000 here....

[Arsene]

Originally Posted by Kompakt

Just need 1 channel as Im just recording vocals from my Rode K2.

So maybe its either Grace 101 Or True Systems P-Solo right now..
just depends which one will amplify the signals from a tube better!

You WILL need TWO. Seriously. Think of the future when investing!

[Arsene]

Originally Posted by petsematary

$2.000 here....

same here! eBay?

[petsematary]

Yeah, it's pretty much the only option...ebay/gearslutz and try and get the seller to help you escape customs in various, semi-legal ways.

[YUGA]

An Apogee Mini-Me costs about $2000 in Japan too if I buy it via the Japanese dealer. So I've just bought it from audiomidi.com. I only had to pay the spending tax ¥2200(aporx. 20$) and the extra shipping cost $93.74. Costed about $750 altogether. Just arrived this morning. Can't wait to use it!

[FFTT]

I went with the DAV BG-1 to have 2 very good input pres so I'm covered for micing
stereo acoustic guitars etc.

With a pair of 1/4-XLR adapter cables, it also makes a very nice instrument pre for line in.

Happy New Year!!!

[dickiefunk]

I'd also take a look at the SPL Gainstation and Avalon M5. Seriously awesome pres!!!

[jdier]

Originally Posted by Kompakt

Which mic preamp do you think gives the best Pro-results and is an all-rounder- can handle both tube mics (rode k2) and dynamics (re20).

Im just recording vocals so 1 channel will be enough. I got a rode K2 and am also looking for a audio interface. willing to spend U$700 max on the preamp and U$700 max on the interface.

Heard crazy reviews about the Grace 101 and RNP.

Heard some good reviews about the DAV BG-1.

True Systems P-Solo is what im leaning towards, every magazine has given it an excellent review, and it looks BLOODY GOOD. Havent heard a SINGLE bad feedback about it, maybe cause there arent many users.

Help me out dudes!

I do not have the others, but I do have an RNP. For vocals I would say I went from really liking it to completely loving it once I picked up my SM7 and my RNLA. Prior to that I was using entry level LDC mics. While they worked fine and I had good results, once I got the SM7 then the RNLA I feel my recordings jumped up one notch.

I have not really found a mic that sounded bad through this preamp. They all sound pretty good. I like the low price of the RNP because it left me money to pickup some other great mics and I am finding that I have better luck getting the sounds I want with different mics and the RNP is strong enough that I do not find myself questioning my preamp.

I am just a home hobbyist, not a pro, so take it all with a grain of salt.

[Kompakt]

just went for testing..

DAV-BG1 and RNP look really amateur and ugly..
Grace 101 looks nice
P-solo looks bloody amazing, girls can get wet from looking at that shiny red box.

Grace 101 and P-Solo sound the best (tie, hard to decide, even after 1 hour of tweaking)
Dav-BG1 comes second
RNP comes third

so overall True Systems P-solo wins it hands down.. Quality (9/10) and looks (10/10)

THANKS for all your help!

[Tone Laborer]

You seem more concerned with the looks than the sound. That's cool and all. All those pre's can make great tracks. And yet you'll want more someday....

[jeronimo]

I agree about that, you should do a blind test, I'm almost sure you've been influenced by it's look!

[Reptil]

Originally Posted by Kompakt

just went for testing..

DAV-BG1 and RNP look really amateur and ugly..
.......

the DAV looks the most pro to me. no frills no bells, no BS. It can take a beating, and I use it in the room right next to the mic, so the path of the unamplified mic signal is short.
bandmembers don't even notice it, cause they're used to berighhreer and samson christmas trees.
if you need something to stand out visually to impress, look somewhere else.

good luck with your choice, please remember we're all expressing our opinions.
so, choose which one YOU like. (this might be superfluous advice )

I agree with above poster, do a blind test. (have someone else prepare it for you)

[ISedlacek]

Some of the Behringer stuff have quite an attractive design (those shining tubes etc.) ...

On the other hand - look for example at GML 8302 preamp ... Looks quite amateurish - just four black buttons on a black metal desk, nothing more ...

Pity that the Funk logic website does not work any more, there you would find lot of cool designs ...

[Albert]

Originally Posted by Kompakt

DAV-BG1 and RNP look really amateur and ugly..
Grace 101 looks nice
P-solo looks bloody amazing, girls can get wet from looking at that shiny red box.

Totally irrelevant.

You need do a blind test. Set up a time with a friend, and listen to the pres without knowing which is which. This is essential, as there is no doubt you are being influenced by how they look.

And for the record, the BG-1 doesn't look amateurish to me, it looks like what it is, a unit that's been designed for portability and toughness.

[Tone Laborer]

Although, if he has decided on the true systems--it is a NICE looking pre. Going on limited experience , but I thought it sounded great as well. Class A but leaning on the warmer side.

[petsematary]

A True on ebay right now...
http://cgi.ebay.com/True-Systems-P-S...QQcmdZViewItem

[petsematary]

Btw, has anyone read the Sound on Sound review on the P-Solo? It's available on their site, but I don't have a subscription... Anyone care to sum it up? Plusses/Minuses?