D.A.V. Electronics Broadhurst Gardens No. 1U

[joepopp@joepopp]

I am looking for a D.A.V. Electronics Broadhurst Gardens No. 1U. Anybody know of a US Dealer? there seems to be a few people on here that have them.

[Whitecat]

Just buy direct - www.davelectronics.com - Mick is a good guy, you will have to pay some import taxes etc. but it'll be worth it and the price will likely be the same or lower to what you'd have to pay a dealer.

[joepopp@joepopp]

Thanks T3! I already have an email out to them. Just wondering if there is a US connection as we are a school and need to go through the bid process.

[fifthcircle]

Mick only sells direct.

--Ben

[Audiopool]

I bought directly from DAV back in 2002 or 2003 at the time it was a revelation to me. I sold mine though (I didn't care for the 6db step switch) and bought and 8-channel micpre from Line Audio (Swedish hand-made). They share a similar approach to sound, both have really good specs but the Line Audio is less than $750 for 8-channels ($350 for the 2-channel version). It has to be the most underpriced piece of gear ever made!
It's eaasily up there with Earthworks and the lot.

[tommy pee]

Originally Posted by Audiopool

I bought directly from DAV back in 2002 or 2003 at the time it was a revelation to me. I sold mine though (I didn't care for the 6db step switch) and bought and 8-channel micpre from Line Audio (Swedish hand-made). They share a similar approach to sound, both have really good specs but the Line Audio is less than $750 for 8-channels ($350 for the 2-channel version). It has to be the most underpriced piece of gear ever made!
It's eaasily up there with Earthworks and the lot.

so would you honestly say that the Line Audio preamps stand up to the DAV? or at least the RNP? at that price?!

surely no way

[Audiopool]

Yes, I would say they stand up to any competition. It's a one man company and he pretty much builds on demand. He even does most of the machining on the 19" rack boxes himself. I have been to his workshop and it's incredible what he does.
His preamps are incredible and the obly problem is that he has a waiting list for a couple of months to get one.
I also owned a Lab 102 preamp and I honestly could not hear any difference. When a freind of mine measured both the units the THD was slightly higher in the Line Audio unit, but on the other hand the Lab 102 showed some nasty highfq oscillations.

When you think about it, most preamps (Earthworks and DAV included) uses pretty standard components. The cost to make a good micpre is not that significant. I always told Roger at Line Audio to charge more for his products - because he would sell more. But he doesn't want to - he's kind of an idealist.

Here in Sweden you will find Line Audio micpres in some very well respected studios.
Also, Swedish 'Monitor magazine' (a magazine aimed at broadcast/pro users) gave his four channel microphone rave reviews. And it's $700...

And no, I am not related to the guy. I'm only a very happy customer.

[tommy pee]

thats really incredible if it's the case. i've given the chap an email and see what he says!

anyone else had any experience with Line Audio, and possibly in context with the DAV? the BG1u has also been on my shopping list for a while

[Audiopool]

Line Audio actually has a long history in pro audio. They started out making hard disk recording interfaces for the Atari ST in the 80's and early 90's. Roger made the hardware and his brother made the software. They actually had development for Atari until the late 90's. I googled and found a Sound on Sound report from some Atari show back in -99:
"As expected, System Solutions were at the Stafford show, though they report not a lot of activity on the music front. Electronic Cow's Squash It! sample editor was being demo'd on a Centurbo II accelerated Falcon, along with other System Solutions-distributed audio hardware and software, particularly the Line Audio range of audio interfaces for the Falcon. Incidentally, Line Audio's Jam Out 8 multiple output box and JamPro in/out convertor now feature 24-bit DACs. This Swedish company are also producing an affordable condenser mic - the CM2 - and are due to release a well-specified 2-channel mic preamp that will, in the future, have an S/PDIF output option."

Nostaghia.

[peeder]

8 clean channels for under $1000 has my attention. I will need some references before I buy internationally though. A shootout with the DAV or something else I've heard would be appreciated.

[Audiopool]

I'll see if I can arrange for a comparison between the Lab 102 and the Line Audio. I sold the Earthworks to a nearby studio. I do have measurement results somewhere for the Lab 102 and the Line Audio OMP (the old version).

[Audiopool]

I'll see if I can arrange for a comparison between the Lab 102 and the Line Audio. I sold the Earthworks to a nearby studio. I do have measurement results somewhere for the Lab 102 and the Line Audio OMP (the old version) but it's deep down in some backup. See if I can find them.

[tommy pee]

Originally Posted by peeder

8 clean channels for under $1000 has my attention. I will need some references before I buy internationally though. A shootout with the DAV or something else I've heard would be appreciated.

took the words right out of my mouth!

a shootout would be fantastic my man

[AvS]

Originally Posted by Audiopool

I bought directly from DAV back in 2002 or 2003 at the time it was a revelation to me. I sold mine though (I didn't care for the 6db step switch) and bought and 8-channel micpre from Line Audio (Swedish hand-made). They share a similar approach to sound, both have really good specs but the Line Audio is less than $750 for 8-channels ($350 for the 2-channel version). It has to be the most underpriced piece of gear ever made!
It's eaasily up there with Earthworks and the lot.

The Line Audio pres seems very interesting. One question: Are the knobs detended? Guess not since there are no markings around them.

[nandoanalog]

I always thought that DAV was pretty cheap... But 8 chanels for less than 1000$?... Maybe the world is changing to a better place to live....

[Mondo]

amazing, all it takes is 1 person saying a company is good to cause an uproar

[tommy pee]

Originally Posted by Mondo

amazing, all it takes is 1 person saying a company is good to cause an uproar

so the prospect of finding a company potentially making high quality pres at ridiculous prices doesn't interest you in the slightest?

you must either be totally gear slutted up, or a real cynic

[jacktadoussac]

I checked it out and was taken aback, by golly. Basically I don't buy in to altering the signal too much -- it would just end up sounding like the radio, as in play-listed stuff.

So technically, is this in the same league as that DAV box for distortion, or headroom, gain, noise, or whatever technical folks go for.

I like the two channel job -- great mate for a laptop. Now if only there was a budget, but high quality ADDA converter?

[T.RayBullard]

Originally Posted by jacktadoussac

Now if only there was a budget, but high quality ADDA converter?

there is, it is called MYTEK.

[T.RayBullard]

Originally Posted by joepopp@joepopp

I am looking for a D.A.V. Electronics Broadhurst Gardens No. 1U. Anybody know of a US Dealer? there seems to be a few people on here that have them.

call me at 910 653 4751..i know a seller for one..

good choice, those preamps have proven themselves time and time again..

[tommy pee]

Originally Posted by jacktadoussac

I checked it out and was taken aback, by golly. Basically I don't buy in to altering the signal too much -- it would just end up sounding like the radio, as in play-listed stuff.

So technically, is this in the same league as that DAV box for distortion, or headroom, gain, noise, or whatever technical folks go for.

I like the two channel job -- great mate for a laptop. Now if only there was a budget, but high quality ADDA converter?

any chance you could give us some audio samples/a good idea of how it sounds/stands up against lower rung decent pres?

[lpkyer]

If the Line proves to be better than the syteks I'm in.

[jacktadoussac]

I'll take me a look at that Mytek, I'll check the spelling too. Is is as good as Lavry Blue, or the Apology Rosetta? That would be great if is were even 80% close to the industry standard, eh? Or even on it!

Wow I took a look see and found some New York based Hendrix mixer, or remixer and masterer loves them. So maybe I should ask, are the Rosettas and those Blue Rackmounted units, are they the toys? Say it ain't so.

The Myteks don't come cheap. If you can get a nice mike pre for $400 for stereo or 800 for 8 channels, shame it's so much for that digital conversion.

[skan]

Those mic's on the website look tasty too... anyone know anything about them?

I'm about to buy a Shure KSM 44 but I'm liking the look of the multi-pattern condenser
that is available from Line.

[lpkyer]

Originally Posted by jacktadoussac

Apology Rosetta.

Oh man they definitely need to apologise for making such unstable units !

[jacktadoussac]

I thought they were called Apology, but mainly because there seems to be group-think among mainly the music store staff that this brand is the state of the art. I mean, it could be, but I haven't got enough information...

[lpkyer]

do you live in tadoussac, jack?

[peeder]

I emailed Line Audio a few days ago with a set of questions about the preamp (is there a US power supply, is it 1/3 rack, etc.) and they never got back to me. Maybe on vacation, or maybe not sure about this "international business" idea.

[tommy pee]

Originally Posted by peeder

I emailed Line Audio a few days ago with a set of questions about the preamp (is there a US power supply, is it 1/3 rack, etc.) and they never got back to me. Maybe on vacation, or maybe not sure about this "international business" idea.

exactly the same here. except with a UK power supply

[tyro]

peeder, I'd say that's because Line Audio is a true one man operation; he builds the gear in his home by hand so... patience