Pacifica in my hands (compared to DAV and Pendulum)

[ISedlacek]

Hearing lot of enthusiastic words about this preamp, I could not resist to try it, with an intention and perspective to add something new and special to my small sound alchemy arsenal. It arrived today for trying

I played few tones on few acoustic instruments (changing Pacifica vs DAV/Pendulum). Here are few to listen
(the samples are very short). Microphones: a pair of Schoeps MK2, AD - Lavry Blue

Small drum:

DAV

Pacifica


Bamboo flute:

DAV

Pacifica



Monochord:

Pendulum

Pacifica


Viola damore:

DAV

Pacifica

Pendulum

[AllBread]

The most noticable difference between the Pacifica and the Dav is the amount of room that the DAV picked up compared to the Pacifica - is that all in the pre-amp or is it possible that the mic position changed a bit. They both had great tone, but I preferred the DAV in most of the clips (maybe it's because I'm a sucker for a good room and you could hear it more with the DAV). I'd be happy to have either one in my studio (and right now I have neither).

Thanks for the posts!

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by AllBread

The most noticable difference between the Pacifica and the Dav is the amount of room that the DAV picked up compared to the Pacifica - is that all in the pre-amp or is it possible that the mic position changed a bit. They both had great tone, but I preferred the DAV in most of the clips (maybe it's because I'm a sucker for a good room and you could hear it more with the DAV).

For me the most noticeable difference is the amount of details (the room sound is also one of them) and also depth you can hear with both DAV and Pendulum

[darkwater]

I didn't listen to your posts, but if you have a damaged unit, I don't think it's fair to do any comparisons until you get it replaced.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by darkwater

I didn't listen to your posts, but if you have a damaged unit, I don't think it's fair to do any comparisons until you get it replaced.

Well, the problem is just the broken left platic gain button and the gain can be adjusted without it.

[nandoanalog]

Im confused.... Honestly, I can hear more detail in the high end with the pacifica.... Or maybe the pacifica is a bit more edgy and its giving me that impression...

[sunflute]

Originally Posted by nandoanalog

Im confused.... Honestly, I can hear more detail in the high end with the pacifica.... Or maybe the pacifica is a bit more edgy and its giving me that impression...

First of all, Thanks to Ivo for posting the samples

I agree with nandoanalog, I hear more detail in both the high and low end of the pacifica sample. The DAV is softer, smoother sounding. I am thinking that perhaps the Pacifica would sound amazing with Ribbon microphones.

Anyone here try the pacifica with Ribbons?

Thanks
Peace
Marco

[AMIEL]

all Pre's sound great!
I prefer the definition and prescense of the Pacifica!

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by AMIEL

all Pre's sound great!
I prefer the definition and prescense of the Pacifica!

It has actually a bit "boosted" high end (comparing to the real source). I somehow cannot help hearing a kind of (as if) "2D" of Pacifica comparing to "3D" of the other two preamps. And also a bit less mids ?

[resound]

Thanks again, Ivo.

This is a hard one to critique since all the preamps are very fine and I find the character of the DAV vs. Pacifica to be very different from one another. On the flute, the Pacifica clearly has a more open high end, but the DAV creates a better image of the instrument spatially (IMHO). With the drums, there's a lot of that low-end glue with the DAV which sounds great but I might choose the Pacifica over it since I think its character might sit in a mix better. I have similar feelings about the viola samples.

Clearly, each has its strengths and would more likely be chosen over the other depending upon the application.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by VukOnCrack

Clearly, each has its strengths and would more likely be chosen over the other depending upon the application.

Sure ... my subjective comments are coming directly and only from my personal (limited) field of application = subtle acoustic music of various kind. I actually never consider instrument "for the mix" = scooped in some direction, for me, all the instruments are meant full detailed and solo (as if) with a full emotional impact. From that point of view I perceive DAV or Pendulum rendering as a bit more detailed, realistic and with an extra depth ...

A different field and music genres may have different preferences ... Next week we will do few vocal samples through my Horch mic (using Pendulum, Pacifica and DW Fearn (coming next week !) preamps)

Originally Posted by VukOnCrack

On the flute, the Pacifica clearly has a more open high end, but the DAV creates a better image of the instrument spatially (IMHO).

Yes. But that high end is not present in the original instrument. I think to add the high end would be maybe much easier that to add a spatial image ...

[nandoanalog]

Yes... The pacifica sounds a bit 2 dimensional. I would say it sounds more like "constantly in your face".
I said that I could hear more detail in the pacifica high end. But that doesnt mean I prefer it. Maybe I would use it with drums. But not with the other instruments.

But you know what?.... I like the crookwood way better.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by nandoanalog

But you know what?.... I like the crookwood way better.

Well, Crookwood ...that´s a giant ... Yet, the DAV´s (or Pendulum) smoothness appeals to me a lot ... But Crookwood will definitely settle here one day ...

[Jomppa]

Ivo, thanks again, great samples! Can´t believe how wonderful pre DAV is for the money. I´m waiting to hear the vocal samples, but would you please record a vocal sample also with your DAV?

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Jomppa

Ivo, thanks again, great samples! Can´t believe how wonderful pre DAV is for the money. I´m waiting to hear the vocal samples, but would you please record a vocal sample also with DAV?

I think it sounds wonderful even if you forget about the money

I may try to use DAV for the "pop" vocals, but actually it is not a place where any "clean" preamp would feel like a fish in the water (even Crookwood did not). You would expect the lead vocal to be deep and airy ... not really that clean and smooth as for example DAV would render. Pop vocals - it is Pendulum ´s highly favourite job ...

[resound]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Sure ... my subjective comments are coming directly and only from my personal (limited) field of application = subtle acoustic music of various kind. I actually never consider instrument "for the mix" = scooped in some direction, for me, all the instruments are meant full detailed and solo (as if) with a full emotional impact. From that point of view I perceive DAV or Pendulum rendering as a bit more detailed, realistic and with an extra depth ...

A different field and music genres may have different preferences ... Next week we will do few vocal samples through my Horch mic (using Pendulum, Pacifica and DW Fearn (coming next week !) preamps)

Ivo,

I agree with everything you say and certainly appreciate your perspective on purely capturing the nuances of acoustic music. I think, however, that anytime you multi-track/overdub, its easier to lose that "etching" in space that each instrument ideally has when an ensemble is listening and responding to one another. In those situations, perhaps you eq a bit, or perhaps you make other production choices based upon these factors. From listening to the samples as "solo" recordings, I much prefered the DAV. The density of your music obviosuly will influence these situations. What works for a Morton Feldman piece might not work well for Ferneyhough or Boulez.

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Yes. But that high end is not present in the original instrument. I think to add the high end would be maybe much easier that to add a spatial image ...

Agreed! The DAV seems truly great at accurately conveying the space around an instrument.

[chandlersonic]

Thanks Ivo, nice test.

Both the Dav and Pacifica are great pres, but they're just not made for the same thing. The Pacifica kicks ass for rock, the Dav is pretty boring on more aggressive and punchy music, this is just my opinion of course, and I've heard some good rock songs recorded with Dav, but to me a pacifica or Api is gonna get you the rock sound a whole lot faster.

I don't think I'd ever use the Dav for a lead vocal track for example, people are just so used to hearing vocals really punchy and upfront in modern music that the Dav would sound weak.

The Pacifica definitely has a boosted high end but it's soooooo smooth on most sources. On the viola, it was a little too much, I thought the Pendulum ruled on the few examples of it, I've never had the chance to use Pendulum gear but hearing this really makes me want to check it out.

[Plush]

Once again, it's pretty clear that the DAV Electronics Broadhurst Gardens range of mic amps are the best mic amps in the world.

[Madkour]

Thanks Ivo for the samples. The three pres sound very nice, though (for my taste) I prefer the DAV and the pendulum, they have more details and depth.

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

I think to add the high end would be maybe much easier that to add a spatial image ...

I agree

Next week we will do few vocal samples through my Horch mic (using Pendulum, Pacifica and DW Fearn (coming next week !) preamps

I will be waiting for this test, I would like to hear the DW Fearn compare to the pendulum (specially with Horch).

[lpkyer]

Originally Posted by Plush

Once again, it's pretty clear that the DAV Electronics Broadhurst Gardens range of mic amps are the best mic amps in the world.

oh no not again...

[resound]

Originally Posted by lpkyer

oh no not again...

Yes, if only the noise spec was better (-110dB) for when I want to record a Feldman string quartet with a ribbon mic....

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Sure ... my subjective comments are coming directly and only from my personal (limited) field of application kind. I actually never consider instrument "for the mix" = scooped in some direction, for me, all the instruments are meant full detailed and solo (as if) with a full emotional impact. From that point of view I perceive DAV or Pendulum rendering as a bit more detailed, realistic and with an extra depth ...



A different field and music genres may have different preferences ... Next week we will do few vocal samples through my Horch mic (using Pendulum, Pacifica and DW Fearn (coming next week !) preamps)
...

Well I think is really matter of preference...I feel the instrument thru the Pacifica to bea tiny bit more "solo" ....the others get a bit more of the room IMHO.
I think that shoot out with the DW Fearn /pacifica, Pendulum would be great...

[Dan Kennedy]

The Pendulum made the hair stand up on my arms.

No emotional response from the others. Hmmmm

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Dan Kennedy

The Pendulum made the hair stand up on my arms.

No emotional response from the others. Hmmmm

Do you mean also on viola ? I wonder why I am so shy to use it on violin, viola, flutes etc. in a real life ... Must try to record a bit of real music with strings on Pendulum too ...

[Schaap]

Join the chorus . The Pacifica sounds more 2D, maybe a little compressed. It have its flavour, more ideal in a (busy) mix. The DAV is again smooth. For solo's the Pendulum is the way to go IMO

Henk

[Roland]

Originally Posted by Plush

Once again, it's pretty clear that the DAV Electronics Broadhurst Gardens range of mic amps are the best mic amps in the world.

Are you getting your's for free? I don't understand your total endorsement all the time?

Regards



Roland

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Schaap

For solo's the Pendulum is the way to go IMO

OK, you made me pondering. I will try to record a bit of "spheric" viola&guitar using DAV and then Pendulum. I was always thinking Pendulum maybe sounds a bit "tubey" on strings and flutes ? But maybe more thinking and less trying ....
I will do it on Sunday evening, now I go to play some concerts ...

[Tim Farrant]

I would really like to see a frequency response plot of the DAV preamp, I have a feeling it's not actually flat, at least that is what I hear on all the clips that have been posted in recent times.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Tim Farrant

I would really like to see a frequency response plot of the DAV preamp, I have a feeling it's not actually flat, at least that is what I hear on all the clips that have been posted in recent times.

I don´t think it is flat ... Maybe Crookwood was flat ... But it is almost flat, not really coloured. It makes the highs smooth and has nicely pronounced low mids ... Not really a "measurement preamp". Yet, it sounds clean enough I think

But am I right that to make an exact frequency response plot is probably not possible within common studio conditions ?

[Roland]

Originally Posted by Tim Farrant

I would really like to see a frequency response plot of the DAV preamp, I have a feeling it's not actually flat, at least that is what I hear on all the clips that have been posted in recent times.

It's distortion figures are considerably higher than a lot of the other top end mic amp's such as the Millenia, Grace, Crookwood. I suspect that this might be elevated levels of 2nd and 3rd harmonic distortion, this would explain it's "euphonic" sound quality. Posibly it's phase response over the audio band would make interesting reading too.

Regards



Roland