Is the Prism Orpheus worth it?

[nomraun]

Hello I have a start-up business in semi-remote recording and it's going pretty successfully. I am right now exclusively recording acoustic sources, and part of the reason I am doing well is because people are impressed with the sound quality I get with an apogee duet and mc930. (clarity-wise) Therefore I would like to keep sound quality a top priority.

However I would like to expand my setup to record jazz combos, larger ensembles etc. to have a larger client base. I know engineering skill supersedes all, but do you think getting something like the Orpheus would offer enough difference in quality to be worth the investment over similar gear?

My thinking is that if i can offer audio clarity and fidelity that is strikingly better than anything offered at the beginning-midrange home recording market at a reasonable price, I will be able to get enough extra clients to justify the costs.

Here are the microphones i was thinking of to go with the orpheus:
Josephson C617-SET *2
Soundfield SPS422 (so many options, surround and ambient recording)
Ribbon microphones of some kind (fathead, royer)
probly a large diaphragm mic
and i already have crown pzm30D
Heil pr40

hmm by then i'll need another orpheus!

Maybe IF i can get a loan

[Blenn]

I'd, personally, have to say to yes. I have only heard the duet once and for the price is a cracking piece of kit, but the DA on those prism's is stunning. I got a very limited go with the AD but it, from memory, was world class.

Wether you think so depends on too many factors so YMMV. But IMHO - yes would be the answer.

Paul

[Doc Mixwell]

Josephson 617s with Gefell Capsules--->Orpheus Microphone preamps->
Orpheus ADCs------>DAW----->Orpheus DACs

Equals the most ridiculous amount of detail/depth, clarity and realism you can handle. This combo would be simply incredible to say the least.

For the style of music you'll be recording, I'd say you'll offer your clients something they are not getting elsewhere. Accuracy and definition to the recording.

[Corran]

I just choked looking at the price for the Orpheus.

If you like the clarity you are getting now, I don't think spending $5000 is going to give you that much more bang for your buck. What about the Apogee Ensemble if you want more channels?

Furthermore, from experience I will tell you that clients probably won't hear the difference. I've recorded a half dozen times with my local orchestra, and his favorite recording is still my first, which was very flawed.

[Blenn]

As always - each to their own. But my experience with the Orpheus has changed my views dramatically on what world class AD/DA can do.

For the first time I experienced a realism that I don't know how to say in words except - real!

The only true advice anyone can give is to say - give a listen yourself.

Paul

[nomraun]

Alright thanks everyone!

I'm currently trying to get both the orpheus and ensemble for a-b testing, hopefully that will clear things up somewhat. I like the duet, but i somehow feel there could be an improvement, especially with the gain turned up like it is on some quieter sources. I've heard the orpheus is dead quiet even with the gain cranked, and in some cases i think this could make a very noticeable difference.

[e.oelberg]

the preamps of the duet and the orpheus ar the same chip pga2500 but maybe you here the pwersupply quality, which is in case of a USB interface not really good


nicholas

[Corran]

There was just a thread about noise floors. I was having a lot of trouble with noise from my preamps, but I realized a lot of it was just noise from the hall that you can't help.

But great, an A-B will clear things up...I look forward to hearing the differences.

[ThomasWho]

Originally Posted by nomraun

Alright thanks everyone!

I'm currently trying to get both the orpheus and ensemble for a-b testing, hopefully that will clear things up somewhat. I like the duet, but i somehow feel there could be an improvement, especially with the gain turned up like it is on some quieter sources. I've heard the orpheus is dead quiet even with the gain cranked, and in some cases i think this could make a very noticeable difference.

I`ve done exactly what you plan to do : I borrowed both the Duet (couldn`t find an Ensemble) and the Orpheus. The difference was huge! No comparison at all. It was very surprising. The Duet sound like a computer recording , the Orpheus sounded like I was in the room with the music. Like the computer disapeared.

If you can afford it , get the Orpheus.

Thomas

[nomraun]

wow, if that is true i am definitely going for the orpheus. Im sure if the difference is that great it will be appreciated by my clients, and i won't need to upgrade for a loong time.

[wildpark]

iam only shoked about that no audiofiles for A/B around !

only some highquality

talkes (bla bla mine is longer as yours )

here in .

really nobody trust this quality that much and will post a orpheus file here !!

no one !!!

just wrote prism service 5 times and some resellers also , but it seems they didnt trust all sluts in here to judge a produkt too sale some more units(i knew they oversleep web2.0)

meaby some user here is sooooo proud on that unit

and post against the endless discurses here !!

some flac,ape,ogg vobis or wav files (prefer the first ones !)

in the meantime iam luky with my protools hd-shadow gamma plus st.ives-lavry combo (a friends gold newest version)


thanks patrick


p.s ok for now id think mine is longer(kindergarden)

but thats just me only trust what i heard !

Originally Posted by Corran

I just choked looking at the price for the Orpheus.

If you like the clarity you are getting now, I don't think spending $5000 is going to give you that much more bang for your buck. What about the Apogee Ensemble if you want more channels?

Furthermore, from experience I will tell you that clients probably won't hear the difference. I've recorded a half dozen times with my local orchestra, and his favorite recording is still my first, which was very flawed.

[Tony Montana]

Just posted in the other thread about this. I love it!

[nomraun]

If I can get my hands on an Orpheus, i'll be sure to post files, but it may not be for a little while.

[creative.control]

The orpheus transformed my new studio, the clarity on playback is huge, I've noticed alot of things I never noticed before on my own recordings and commercial releases.

In terms of the A to D side, its very accurate and clean, the preamps are great, they remind me of the higher end focusrite pre's but have alot of depth and punch!

Its expensive, but with 4 great preamps, onboard headphone amps and midi etc I think its good value for money. thumbsup

[nomraun]

cool! do you use it as a monitor controller as well?

They say it does stereo and surround monitoring, and there are many devices that Just control monitors and cost almost as much as the orpheus, especially in surround.

Glad to see it has provided such a positive change in your studio!

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by dylansmale

Why the **** don't they have 8 xlr inputs???!!! its a complete shocker. what idiots, put 4 xlr inputs that allow 1/4'' inputs too and then put in 4 1/4'' only inputs. Well I guess they are geniuses, cuz they think someone is going to by a second one so they can have 8 xlr inputs, when you'd have to be an idiot to do that. Its so ****ed up, its just going to piss people off that they have to get a patch bay out chord with half xlrs and half 1/4''s . I meen what a bunch of ****ers.

Sure it sounds good though

Well, if you could be bothered to read anything to do with the tech specs before spewing your uninformed bile, you'd realise that it's a reasonably clever system. The jack inputs are all balanced TRS connections - so if you're using the line inputs, you just use an 16way TRS loom (or "patch bay chord" as you call it). If you plug into the XLR, the input automatically switches to mic input.

and even if you do want to leave the mic inputs permanantly connected, all you have to do is resolder 4 of the TRS connectors as XLRs. Hardly a case of needing to spend another 5k for XLR inputs.

I really suggest you do a bit more reading and learning before making any more posts like this. All you're doing is showing you're quite ill-informed and naive when you attack something so aggressively, only to be shown that in fact it's you who doesn't understand.

[al1]

[quote=nomraun;1998180]cool! do you use it as a monitor controller as well?

[quote]

I do indeed! Straight into a pair of Klein and Hummel 0300s, works great! No noise at all, even when completely cranked, the headphone amps are as amazing too, although not much volume to play with on those, I got a pair of isolation headphones and they pair up really great, had a drummer in today who thought it was the best headphone mix he'd ever heard, which is nice!

[nomraun]

that's great, it seems that the value is even better than i first thought! Before the orpheus i bet you would have to spend at least 3 times as much for the same audio fidelity to equal the functionality.

As I am going to be using the orpheus in a portable sort of setup, do you think a 500 rack and an orpheus would be a good choice for a compact versatile setup?

[Johnkenn]

Does Prism make anything with two ins and outs? I don't need the mic pres, but I would love to have a dramatic result in my already good conversion...

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by Johnkenn

Does Prism make anything with two ins and outs? I don't need the mic pres, but I would love to have a dramatic result in my already good conversion...

Prism AD2,

Two analog inputs and two digital outputs,

One of the best AD converters available. [yes, I know its debatable...gezzz]

But I would imagine the Orpheus will suit your the needs much further that the AD2, at about half the cost.

Originally posted by nomraun

As I am going to be using the orpheus in a portable sort of setup, do you think a 500 rack and an orpheus would be a good choice for a compact versatile setup?

Absolutely a good option, I would configure an 8-channel mixer into the mix and then 500 series glory on the front/back end of the system. Have all the microphone preamps come up on 1/2 norm on a patch bay to the ADC inputs. Likewise, have the DAC outputs 1/2 norm to the mixer inputs, so you can patch to modules and back to the mixer.

[tone delux]

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

Prism AD2,

Two analog inputs and two digital outputs,

One of the best AD converters available. [yes, I know its debatable...gezzz]

But I would imagine the Orpheus will suit your the needs much further that the AD2, at about half the cost.

Absolutely a good option, I would configure an 8-channel mixer into the mix and then 500 series glory on the front/back end of the system. Have all the microphone preamps come up on 1/2 norm on a patch bay to the ADC inputs. Likewise, have the DAC outputs 1/2 norm to the mixer inputs, so you can patch to modules and back to the mixer.

Hello Roc,
have you compared the ADA-8XR and the Orpheus?
if so how close is the orpheus?
regards

[Johnkenn]

That's why I'm a little confused...why is the Orpheus cheaper? Not as good ADDA as the other?

[nomraun]

I obviously have not tested them, but i have read posts from prism reps that say that the orpheus is the best they have built or at least on par with the AD-2 and the 8 channel one. The specs are different, but the guy said the orpheus was comparable or superior than anything they have built yet.

I think it's cheaper just because of it's newer technology and different target market, but the prism guys seem to be clear that it is not a step down, and i have not yet heard anything to the contrary.

[nomraun]

and about the setup, to get a little more bang for buck, would something like the orpheus + seventh circle DIY pres + Mix Dream XP + patch bay be worth looking at? the 500 series sort of feels like you are paying just as much for the ink on the metal card as you are for the components inside, and i don't care to much about that.

O yea does the XP sound like the bigger mixdream, cuz that was in an online mixer shootout and i significantly preferred it over all the others, especially the neve mixer.


Component-wise, it actually seems like the SCA kits are as good or better than real 500 pres, and you get the extra fun of building them yourself!! YAY

[jamescater]

Originally Posted by nomraun

I obviously have not tested them, but i have read posts from prism reps that say that the orpheus is the best they have built or at least on par with the AD-2 and the 8 channel one. The specs are different, but the guy said the orpheus was comparable or superior than anything they have built yet.

I think it's cheaper just because of it's newer technology and different target market, but the prism guys seem to be clear that it is not a step down, and i have not yet heard anything to the contrary.

I spoke with the Prism guys last year before we purchased the 8 channel ADA-8XR. The converters are equal to the 8 channel, the main cost of the ADA-8XR is the flexible IO system that lets them plug in AES/firewire or ProTools interfaces. The pre amps are not going to touch a quality class A pre-amp, but they are still quite clean.

I would not expect these converters to be as good as the AD-2 because that's a dedicated 2 channel MASTERING converter with 130db range and has it's own dedicated power supply etc. Also, I believe the cost of that AD-2 channel is as much as the ADA-8XR channel.

The Orpheus may appear a bit expensive compared to the Apogee and other competition, however once you've heard the Prism converters you won't ever want to use anything "more budget" again.

The ultimate test for a converter is to take the output of the DAC (9624) and feed it back into it's own ADC and record some stuff. When you do this using an Apogee and compare the processed file it often sounds different. When the same test is done using Prism converters it's much harder to tell the difference between the origional and the converted file.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Johnkenn

That's why I'm a little confused...why is the Orpheus cheaper? Not as good ADDA as the other?

The Orpheus has the best A/Ds that Prism make.

I was talking to them yesterday at the London International Music Show.

I am now convinced and the Orpheus is now on my "to buy" list (moved over from my "what I am drooling over" list).

[David Spearritt]

Originally Posted by John Willett

The Orpheus has the best A/Ds that Prism make.
I was talking to them yesterday at the London International Music Show.

The AD2 has slightly better jitter specs than the Orpheus. Marketing might say otherwise.

[peterwild]

Audio samples ? Anyone ? Lot of , but would like to hear something. Perhaps with new MKH 8020. I'm thinking, should I buy new preamp (Forssell) or sell my aurora8+AES16 and get orpheus

[Jules]

Try to win one for free?

Orpheus Competition

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by peterwild

Audio samples ? Anyone ?

Glass FX

Movie
24/48 Multi-track
24/96 Multi-track
Input list

Gun FX

Movie
24/48 Multi-track
24/96 Multi-track
Input list

Enjoy!