DAV vs ZED-R16 preamps

[omegaomega]

Hello!

I am about to purchase a few preamps or a good analog mixer to use for location recordings. I was looking into the DAV line of preams and BG8 in particular,and was thinking to combine it with an ONYX 1620 or LINE AUDIO 8MP, when I read about the new Allen-Heath mixer, the ZED-R16 which has apparently very good audio quality and 16 mic preamps as well as firewire and ADAT I/O.

Anyone here using a ZED-R16 for location recording?
Anyone has actually compared the ZED-R16 mic preamps to DAV preamps? I read that review on Sound On Sound comparing ZED's preamps to DAV and stating that the results the reviewer got from the ZED were on par with what he would expect to achieve with his DAV preamps, but to be honest it is very hard to believe it since the DAV BG8 with 8 preamps cost a bit more than the ZED itself!!!

I will use the ZED or DAV for location recordings mostly of church choirs (mostly male), so quite distant recording and high-up mic placement in churches and halls with long reverb, so I think quality preamps are needed.
I think that in close-miking even a lesser preamp is quite passable but in distance recording real quality is needed...

If the quality is really about as good as DAV preamps it would be really fantastic as my budget is quite limited at the moment. Has anyone compared ZED's preamps to DAV, Onyx or ANY other preamp for that matter and would like to share his findings?

Thank you all!

[Plush]

"The d.a.v. electronics Broadhurst Gardens No. 1 is the best mic amp in the world." (sm)

[mrsteaks]

Originally Posted by Plush

"The d.a.v. electronics Broadhurst Gardens No. 1 is the best mic amp in the world." (sm)

What Plush said - but he forgot the "period". The other pres aren't in the same league as a DAV. Get a DAV and you'll never look back.