Advice needed: John Hardy m-1 or Apogee Duet?

[nas]

Hi Everyone,

I have been a long time visitor to Gearslutz and have really enjoyed reading and learning from everyone's posts. Finally joined and thought I might get some advice..

I will be composing music for a project overseas so I will be taking a portable rig with me which consists of a Laptop, ext. HD, kybd controller, and a MOTU 828 firewire interface. I will be using sample based libraries and overdubbing acoustic instruments and voices.

What I would like to do is improve the front end of my system. I already have access to some very good mics but I'm wondering what will give me a more noticeable improvement in the audio quality.

1 channel of John Hardy M-1 going through the somewhat mediocre converters of the MOTU 828 or the Apogee Duet which has better sounding converters and mic pres than the just the MOTU 828. I can't afford both right now as I also have to purchase several other items so it's pretty much one or the other for now.

So which would you choose and what do you think will make a more noticeable difference in sound quality?

thanks in advance!

[Fishmed]

I would get the Hardy Mic Pre and then upgrade your converters down the road when you have more cash.

[AAsa]

Welcome aboard nas,

I've no experience with the Duet, but the Hardy will not let you down.
The Hardy is one of those pieces that you will keep your whole career.
The Duet...maybe, maybe not.

good luck
A

[Loki]

Hardy.

I've found the Duet noisy and unreliable. Driver issues from Apogee and at least 1 of the ones I've used had a hardware defect.

Hardy is straight and to the point and clean. If you don't have any problems with the Motu (not my favourite piece of kit/brand), then the conversion quality is less of an issue than ones you could find yourself in with the Duet (realizing this may be your only pre due to budget.) Not to mention, the Duet as a pre is a functional pre, not something to write home about or treasure.

[loranoyd]

Hi, Nas.

Count me as another satisfied Hardy customer. I have two channels of the M-1, which I run through a MOTU 896HD. I am very very happy with the results I get. I record classical music exclusively--mostly orchestra. I started out with an 828 and was quite happy with that unit as well. All of the upgrading I've done has been on the front end: mics and preamps. I've never been a fan of the MOTU pres. I've not been able to detect any shortcomings in the sound of my recordings that I thought could be traced to "inferior" converters. Perhaps the world of soft synths and sample libraries reveal the limitations of poor converters. I don't play in that universe. I can say that the Hardy pres have made a world of difference in my recordings. In fact, I'm lusting after two more channels right now. Those two empty slots ... just begging to be filled .... must ... buy ...

Regards,

Lloyd

[resound]

+ 1 on the Hardy

The pres are the 828's weakest point by far. But, the 828 drivers are rock solid. You'd probably be best investing in a piece of gear for the future and having a stable interface than the Duet that even with its strengths over the 828 will not be around years down the road.

[locosoundman]

Another happy Hardy user here.

I am not sure if you are considering buying the 1-channel "Personal" mic pre or buying a rack chassis with a single channel. I would definitely recommend the latter, even though it would cost a bit more in the short term.

[nas]

Hey Everyone,

thank you all for your insight and advice. Well... it looks pretty unanimous! - go for the John Hardy. I think this is a great idea and a good long term investment as was previously mentioned by some of you.

I agree that while the 828 pre's are definately it's weak point and the converters are not quite top notch, it is still a very stable unit - indeed it has been trouble free and very reliable under quite demading situations since the day I bought it.

Llyod, I was also particularly intersted in your response as you've used the John Hardy with the 828 converters in the past so this gave me additional reassurance - thanks.

So.... this morning I ordered a 1 channel John Hardy m-1 (the rackmount expandable version) and expect delivery in a few weeks.

Next up will be some high quality AD/DA and a few more channels of JH.

Again, thanks to all of you for your feedback and advice - very much appreciated!

cheers,
nas