Sound off on a preamp decision, please.

[resound]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a new preamp to go along with my new Schoeps.

I'm leaning towards a good deal on a Crookwood Paintpot.

Besides DAV, would anyone recommend something else in the $1500-$1600 range that might be worth a listen to over the Crookwood?

The others I can think of are:
Grace Lunatec
Neve Portico (a bit of a different beast)
AEA TRP + power supply (haven't heard much opinion on this for non-ribbon uses)

I don't have a lunchbox (nor great deal of interest in one) so those pres are pretty much out of contention at this point unless the lunchbox comes in at that budget point.

Thanks and apologies for polluting the board with yet another preamp thread.

[bove]

The Forssell SMP-2 sounds good with a Schoeps pair.

[resound]

Originally Posted by bove

The Forssell SMP-2 sounds good with a Schoeps pair.

I'm sure it does but that does not fall into my stated budget of $1500-$1600...

[bove]

Hey it's gearslutz, whats 20% over budget around here?

Do a search for Ivo's preamp comparison files... he posted some Schoeps MK2 recordings through a bunch of the usual preamp options. You can get a general idea about some of their relative characteristics from the examples. You would probably be in good shape with any of the preamps tried, they're all nice. So take a listen and see what you like. You don't even have to read everyone's opinions (I think things got heated though, so it is entertaining in a way.) Then try one or two out in your studio, many manufacturers/dealers have a nice trial policy... if you think the sound of one of the new ones is better than your old preamp, then you're set, keep it!

[Jim vanBergen]

Personally, with Schoeps I like the Earthworks 1024, the Neve Portico 5012, Grace Lunatech and the Millenia HV-3. I think all of these are near your budget (well, the 2-channels versions, right?).

[resound]

Yeah, I know Ivo's threads....

Of the preamps he provided material for (and as memory serves), I liked the Crookwood, Forssell, and Flamingo the best in no particular order. DAV would be fourth given its fabulous low price and good sonics.

I don't know that I feel that 20% over budget for the Forssell is money wasted, though conversely, I don't feel the differences necessitate going over my budget (this is just for my intents and purposes). Certainly I would not destroy my budget with the Flamningo.

I was not a big fan of the Millenia compared to these other preamps.

I've never heard the Lunatech V3. Anyone have some direct experience?

My thoughts for now on the Neve would be a good secondary preamp, but probably not my goto 2-channel for recording chamber music which is what I'm looking for here. I do like its Mojo, though.

Thanks for all the input. Any other thoughts?

After buying the Schoeps, I'm not going to allow myself to be extra-slutty and go over my budget. Will power.... er... yeah.... I hope.....

[RobAnderson]

I like the John Hardy M-2 with my Schoeps.

The John Hardy Company M-2 Mic Preamp

It's got the fatness of a transformer pre (Jensen xfrmrs on the input and output), but really clean with neutral coloration. Get it with the "Schoeps Switch" option.

Buy two channels for now and you can add two more when you have the cash.

Millennia HV-3's are great too, but they are a different animal. I like them better for big orchestral stuff.

[mrsteaks]

I've tried my Presonus ADL 600 with my MK2S and it was okay, and just okay. I was not bowled over, in fact I was a little dissappointed. I go with JvB on this one - the Schoeps sound very nice into my EW Lab 102.

[Plush]

The Crookwood Paintpot is an astounding mic amp. I've used them since 1992.

I hardly think that anything in that price range can touch it. Buy it today. You'll never regret getting a mic amp that is one of the top ones available anywhere.

[bobwarren]

You could get a True Systems P2. It's got 2 channels of DI and built-In M-S decoding. Sounds very clear. transparent with, shall I say, mojo?

[summer_room]

Originally Posted by VukOnCrack

AEA TRP + power supply (haven't heard much opinion on this for non-ribbon uses)

Oh, this is new for me. Has anybody tried this?
Is it a sonically ok solution?
What are the brands of power supply's to choose from?

all the best - jon.

[resound]

I wound up ordering the Paintpot. Joel over at http://ecstaticelectric.com/ has provided great service as I've gone through my decision making process and a killer deal to boot.

[Jim vanBergen]

Congrats on your purchase!

Please let us know how you like it. It looks pretty sweet! (Do they make Crookwood in greater numbers? I really love having 8 matched channels of EW 1024. Are you planning to get more?

[resound]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

Congrats on your purchase!

Please let us know how you like it. It looks pretty sweet! (Do they make Crookwood in greater numbers? I really love having 8 matched channels of EW 1024. Are you planning to get more?

I'm headed to wherever they "cured" Ted Haggard of his slutiness for a long while.
NO major purchases for a while. Though, I may check out the a/d option on the Paintpot in the mid-term.

Crookwood makes something called the iPre which uses the same preamp electronics as the Paintpot but with more conversion and routing options, rackmount, and remote controllable. The pricing is actually very competitive for what you get (if still valid considering the weak dollar): $1800, $2600, $4800 for 2, 4, and 8 channels respectively. A/D is $395 per two channels.
http://crookwood.com/products/iPre.htm

Hopefully, I can report back on the Paintpot teamed with the Schoeps on solo piano soon.

[Melodioso]

Unfortunately, you have to add a remote control for all of the iPre's, even the 2-channel one. And it costs $600...

If Crookwood were to release a 1U rack version of the Painpot, I would buy it right away! ...too bad. The design of this paintpot thing - oh well.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by VukOnCrack

I don't know that I feel that 20% over budget for the Forssell is money wasted, though conversely, I don't feel the differences necessitate going over my budget (this is just for my intents and purposes). Certainly I would not destroy my budget with the Flamningo.

.

I think those 20% will pay back manifold in this case ... And although Flamingo is a nice preamp and is much more expensive than SMP-2, Forssell sounds simply and clearly better (more details, depth,clarity etc.). It is a truly unique piece.
I will sell both my prototypes soon - as soon as Fred makes ready the 8 channel version. But I cannot say when exactly it happens. And Crookwood is nice too, but ... Forssell is too good ...

Edit: Oh, I see in the other post you already made a step ... so no need to meditate about it any further :-)

[resound]

The design of the PaintPot was not a deterrent for me, but the complaint is understandable. The iPre might require a remote, but you're also getting a chassis that can accommodate 32 channels which puts its intended uses somewhere different than the "tote and record" nature of the PaintPot.

Eight channels of Forssell? Save me from this temptation.... I'm not afraid to say "good enough" can call it a day so long as I'm happy with the PaintPot once it arrives.

[resound]

Quick report:

Got the PaintPot. Slick device. Did a rushed test with my erhu and my pair of MK21 about 1m away, gain at 40db. Totally clear, well balanced, and quiet. Pretty much everything I expected. I'll do more testing later, but am pressed for time for the next week and a bit... perhaps on an instrument I don't need so much practice with.


My only gripes so far:

No metering on the unit. Not a deal breaker but a nicety.

The unit makes audible "switching" noises when adjusting the gain. Nothing major, just little mechanical clicks. Only an annoyance if gain needs to be adjusted on the fly for some reason.

[Plush]

Hello VUK,

Those mechanical "clicks" are the sound of the relays inside the Paintpot. These change the gain of the mic amp without putting clicks on your audio. There is no audio going through the gain knobs. This is a very high quality and innovative way to build the Paintpot.

[resound]

Plush,

That's what I thought. Again, no issue.... unless you have to record Feldman with no/little sound check in which case if you didn't have the gain UP to begin with, you might pick up the relay sound as you drive that gain towards 70db should the pot be near the stand.

I am impressed thus far and look forward to more time with it soon.

[MichaelPatrick]

Originally Posted by VukOnCrack

AEA TRP + power supply (haven't heard much opinion on this for non-ribbon uses)

The AEA TRP is a great preamp for ribbons but it has no phantom power, so it will only work with condensers that are powered, e.g. tube models.

fwiw, I use a Lunatec V3 with Schoeps sometimes and it sounds very good. Haven't heard the Crookwood but the comments about sonics are always positive.