Preamps for classical string quartet

[Plush]

Reasonable price range:

d.a.v. electronics Broadhurst Gardens No. 1
Rupert Neve Texas 5012 mic amp

More expensive:
Gordon Model 5
D.W. Fearn VT-2

All of the above are excellent mic amps.

for you I recommend the Rupert Neve Texas 5012. Neutral with transformer goodness.

"The microphone is not making the sound. The playas, the instruments and the acoustic are making the sound."

[Audio Dog]

If you are interested in a NPNG just get in touch.

Like the MethLab we also use a 4 channel NPNG and it´s along with our TELEFUNKEN ELEKTROAKUSTIK U47 AE the piece of equipment that I´ll never be able to live without.

[Nobilmente]

Originally Posted by Audiop

I assume you mean the best you have tried?



/Peter

Is there another way?

[Audiop]

Just wanted to point out that there's a possible difference between the best I have tried and the best.


/Peter

[MichaelPatrick]

Originally Posted by Plush

...for you I recommend the Rupert Neve Texas 5012. Neutral with transformer goodness.

I also like transformer goodness and my first Neve 5012 should arrive today. I can't wait to see how it sounds next to DAV BG, Forssell SMP-2, and LaChapell 583s -- all which sound wonderful on strings and about anything else acoustic.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by DannyL

By the way, the ATI 8MX2's power supplies are just about bullet proof.

Could you elaborate on this, please?
Thanks.

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Could you elaborate on this, please?
Thanks.

The ATI 8MX2 uses a +/- 24 volt supply for audio and phantom. (as well as +5vdc for LEDs and logic)
One time, 1/2 of the supply went out on one of my units (it may have been a dead short across ground and pin 3 of a mic... to this day I still don't know), leaving me with only +24vdc. The unit continued to pass audio with no problems, I just had to operate for the rest of the session with outboard phantom. The factory fixed the power supply for no charge.

The power supplies are very well built and in 10 or 12 years of operation I have not had any down time due to the 8MX2's. Part of ATI's initial testing involved disconnecting the fan and wrapping the units in insulating blankets for 24 hours. The units certainly got warmer than the recommended operating temperature, but showed no ill effects.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by MichaelPatrick

I also like transformer goodness and my first Neve 5012 should arrive today. I can't wait to see how it sounds next to DAV BG, Forssell SMP-2, and LaChapell 583s -- all which sound wonderful on strings and about anything else acoustic.

So what did you find ?

[MichaelPatrick]

Two nights ago I recorded a choir with CMC21s -> Neve 5012(silk on) -> 788T and it was glorious. To me the silk option sounds like a subtly-driven triode. I'm traveling now but will be glad to post a clip when I get home.

[Plush]

"Silk" is permanently engaged on the 5012 here. A mic amp that is a work of art.
I can feel and hear the transformer goodness.

[lord_bunny]

+1 for the great river MP4H. It sounds "bigger" than the high-end tube pre's I've heard and even with the gain all the way on quiet sources it's got ultra low noise.