nagra/stellavox

[John Willett]

Talking to Nagra at the SBES show today.

Software version 1.30 for the Nagra VI was released about a week ago and is downloadable from the Nagra website.

I have just updated my machine.

(Plush, please note).

[Plush]

Thank you, John

I did see that and I did update to V1.30

Then yesterday I had to replace the hard drive in the NVI. Mine became defective right after the first recording. I was able to get the sound off of the machine though.

One nice thing I learned about the new V1.30 software---it allows one to install a hard drive larger than 120GB.

I'm still in learning mode here but I do like to set the display to MUSIC/NIGHT!
Once I know my way around the machine, I'll get it into service making some real recordings.

[John Willett]

I set mine to default screen on stop and music screen on record (I had not realised until talking to John Owens today that the music screen had slightly wider meters than the cinema screen).

I set to the blue night mode when recording in dark places.

Part of the new 1.3 update changes the brightness control - hold it in and it dims and brightens the screen, so it's now much quicker and easier to set the optimum brightness level.

I have now altered my meter settings to go red at -4dBFS (instead of -1dBFS) and go yellow at -18dBFS (instead of -12dBFS).

By the way - John told me it was he that told you about the "Pimp Machine" for the red version ;-)

[phil.]

Hey John, Plush

how has the "Pimp Machine" been treating you so far? Have you put it into serious recording action yet?

phil.

[Plush]

Hello Phil,

Just so you know, only the red Nagra VI is a "pimp machine."

Unit arrived here with a defective hard drive so the factory gave me info on how to change it out. Everything good since then.

I have been learning the machine's features and buttons and have been practicing getting around on the machine. I have used it for some serious sessions where it was not the only recorder running.

I am very impressed by the mic amps and even more impressed by the quality of the a/d and especially the d/a conversion. It is the best I have heard.

In any case the machine is functioning well and has a very high quality sound.
The machine is red. The machine is the pimp machine.

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by KostasM

I thought it would be good to share this video:

http://www.reel2reel.tv/ADC/___quelletpreview.wmv

The music was all recorded with Stellavox. I'm still working hard to findd [or design] an alternative, but the sound of exceptional analogue is VERY hard to beat at ANY price.

rgds
Kostas

Great little doc - nice work.

Always wanted a Nagra for myself: used a few before, but always rentals.

Maybe before I retire, Santa might bring me one - I wrote him not to try stuffing it in my stocking - better in a Pelican case, wrapped with a bow, and safely tucked under the tree...

I can dream, can't I?!?

Let us know how you are getting on with the new units @ Plush/John Willett/David Spearritt after you log a few hrs/sessions on them...

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by phil.

Hey John, Plush

how has the "Pimp Machine" been treating you so far? Have you put it into serious recording action yet?

phil.

Hi Phil,

The machine is superb, just as Plush said.

No problems (yet) with mine, though.

The software upgrades from Nagra have made it even better, especially the latest v1.3 one that lets you customise the meter scale and improves the dimming.

I used it in anger a week ago with digital mics on a piano + singer opera recording.

This was a session without pressure as I was testing the mics sitting in on a friend's (paid for) session.

The Nagra VI worked flawlessly and the rotary control to stop and start between takes was better than any other machine I have used.

[phil.]

Originally Posted by Plush

The machine is red. The machine is the pimp machine.

Love it!!!

Thanks for posting your thoughts here John and Plush. It's great to hear you are confident in the machine and endorse it's high quality.

Interesting point about the ac power supply. Please keep us in the loop about developments on this issue!

Very close to splashing out the cash....grey for me though, if it happens, as I have not just yet earned enough credits to enter the league of pimp recordists.

Thanks. thumbsup

phil.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by phil.

....grey for me though, if it happens, as I have not just yet earned enough credits to enter the league of pimp recordists.

I actually got the burgundy red one because it seemed to have the best contrast between the black buttons and front panel cover - so they would be clearer in dim conditions.

[Plush]

Further to the discussion of an alternate power supply for the Nagra VI----

My friend uses a NAIM hi-fi made power supply that supplies 16 volts to the Nagra.
This is plugging into the Nagra VI body with the 4 pin xlr. (not powering the battery)

What I notice with the NAIM power supply is a sweeter treble sound, more foundation to bass and a more jelled sound altogether. There is nary a trace of digititus in the Nagra VI sound anyway but with this power supply there is none at all. The difference in sound is very noticeable. The only unusual part of the procedure to use the NAIM supply is that the NVI must first be started with the battery, then the battery is disconnected and the NAIM power supply is plugged in.

The NAIM is not a switching power supply but an old style "analog" type power supply.

I am going to notify Nagravision about what I heard.

[phil.]

Originally Posted by Plush

Further to the discussion of an alternate power supply for the Nagra VI----

My friend uses a NAIM hi-fi made power supply that supplies 16 volts to the Nagra.
This is plugging into the Nagra VI body with the 4 pin xlr. (not powering the battery)

What I notice with the NAIM power supply is a sweeter treble sound, more foundation to bass and a more jelled sound altogether. There is nary a trace of digititus in the Nagra VI sound anyway but with this power supply there is none at all. The difference in sound is very noticeable. The only unusual part of the procedure to use the NAIM supply is that the NVI must first be started with the battery and then the supply is plugged in and the battery disconnected.

The NAIM is not a switching power supply but an old style "analog" type power supply.

I am going to notify Nagravision about what I heard.

Thank you for the further information on this Plush!

Have you had a chance to explore the sound of the machine powered by batteries compared to being powered by the NAIM for example?

Best,

phil.

[Plush]

Hello Phil,

Yes, my description of the sound is made after switching between batteries and the NAIM power supply. We are switching the sound in about 5 seconds so the differences are easily compared. I would not have believed it if I did not hear it for myself.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that the regular sound of the NVI with the battery is not very good. It IS very good indeed. It is the best digital recorder I have heard including any exotics or DSD machines. This alternate power supply is the icing on the cake.

[David Spearritt]

Originally Posted by Plush

Hello Phil,

Yes, my description of the sound is made after switching between batteries and the NAIM power supply. We are switching the sound in about 5 seconds so the differences are easily compared. I would not have believed it if I did not hear it for myself.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that the regular sound of the NVI with the battery is not very good. It IS very good indeed. It is the best digital recorder I have heard including any exotics or DSD machines. This alternate power supply is the icing on the cake.

I am somewhat concerned that Nagra have made a machine where the sonics are not independent of the PSU. Something must be wrong somewhere.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by David Spearritt

I am somewhat concerned that Nagra have made a machine where the sonics are not independent of the PSU. Something must be wrong somewhere.

Not at all.

And the test PSU was a similar price to the Nagra VI itself and used for replay only!

[David Spearritt]

John, what I meant is that the sonic quality of the unit seems dependent on where the power to the unit comes from. This is of concern. The sound quality should be independent of how the unit gets it's power.

[John Willett]

I'm guessing that it's in the very fast transient response.

A large and beefy power supply can supply lots of current when it's needed, better than any battery can do.

And the test PSU was an "audiophile" one that was a similar price to the Nagra VI itself and it would be totally unreasonable for any manufacturer to include such a PSU.

And, from my understanding, the "improvements" were quite marginal - so spend this sort of money for a marginal increase????? I don't think so.

[fader8]

Ah! A Nagra thread.

I've still got my Nagra IV-SJ with the built-in pres for my Bruel & Kjaer mics. I even have my little hang-around-your-neck mic for recording slate cues onto the pilot track. All of it works great and it's one of my most prized possessions. Still using it.

[soundbarnfool]

I recently bought a 4.2 for $200 and had Trew Audio go through it for another couple hundred. You cannot beat a Nagra!

[JFN - Sonalksis]

Anyone here knows where to get used parts for Stellavox TD9?

I got a unit here that is setup for 17.5mm perfo and would like to refit it for 1/2" two or four track.

I am in contact with audioprojpg, but his parts are out of my budget completely.

Thanks!

Cheers,
JFN

[Plush]

You have to be kidding right? There were hardly any 1/2" TD9s made, so there are virtually no "used" TD 9 parts out there. Gurtner is your resource and a great one he is.

Send your whole machine to Gurtner and have it checked out and refitted. Pay his price and his fee. It's totally worth it.

Otherwise I fear you will search for the rest of your life for the "used" parts.

My advice is accurate and totally for real.

[Gaston69]

Plush,

We recently talked about Nagra Pre-amps compared to DAV or Crookwood Pre-amps, I suppose you have been recording now with the Nagra VI and can tell us how the pre-amp quality is of the Nagra VI?

Gaston

[Plush]

Hello Gaston and greetings to a fellow Crookwood PP user!

The Nagra designed mic pre amps have always been outstanding sounding. I recall that the machine I made my reputation with, the Nagra IV-S, had beautiful detailed discrete mic amps that still sound magnificent today. Likewise the mic pre amps in the Nagra D and Nagra V are outstanding.

The mic amps in the Nagra VI I dare say are even better than the former versions. I say this as a user who has an ideal sound in his head as a starting point for what I want to hear. Criteria are extended freq. response, non trebley sound, high headroom, non clinical sound and with weight to the sound. This last criterion is mainly referring to the ability of the mic amp to transfer what the mic hears faithfully.

The Nagra mic pre amps in the new machine are incredible. They also are using a transformer when in "dynamic mic" setting.

As good as the mic amps are, the a/d and especially the d/a in the Nagra VI are incredible and are the best I have ever heard. You used to have to pay more for your a/d than the whole Nagra costs to get really top performance (such as with dCS).
Now, it's all included.

That said, a super elite mic amp like the Crookwood Paint Pot, will offer an extra degree of refinement, remote control and even more extended freq. response (-3dB down point is @ 500K in the Crookwood). When more than a few channels are being recorded, you can be sure that the regular complement of outboard mic amps is in use here.

[John Willett]

I echo Plush on the quality of the Nagra VI.

And - for the record - software version 1.40 has just been released on the Nagra website with further refinements / improvements.

[The Bear]

I have used a Nagra since 1964, starting with a III. In 1973 I bought a IV-S (3head). Several more followed, and I still have the last one: serial # 7052, bought in the early '70's It has been on the shelf most of its life-used as a backup, (such as for Old and in the Way) and probably has seen at most 100 hours of use. It has the first series of high frequency circuits, the later machines were 'dumbed down' for inattentive operators. The frequency test printout which I have kept shows a very good response. I have numerous cables and a couple of power supplies and the leather carrying case. It has the counting idler. It has been maintained all during its life- getting a service when ever it was taken to record, drive belts and pinch rollers etc.

I now record with a Nagra V-PP and wish to move on to a VI. I have no pressingl use for the analog machine except to play old NM tapes and ohters recorded on a IV- the noise factor is reduced relatiove t a standard head due to a different spacing to allow space for the pilot track. However, I can rent a IV-S when I need to access old original tapes, not a common task.

If there is anyone who would appreciate this wonderful example of what is still considered the best analog recorder ever made, please let me know, I am interested in selling it.
Bear.

[TEMAS]

I'm considering buying an Nagra IV-S TC. As I understand it the line inputs and outputs are unbalanced and use Tuchel connectors. I've noticed that there are adapters that surface for sale occasionally known as the QSEF, for balanced input and the QSSF, for balanced output. Has anyone here used these and if so, do you think that they offer the best quality solution for converting the Nagra IV for balanced I/O operation, or would I be ok to use Tuchel to Jack cables and a third party 'bump box'?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Plush]

The accessories mentioned are really great but it is hard to find them used and new ones are expensive---probably a lot more than you will pay for the used IV-S TC. When I ran Nagra IV-S machines I always just made my own cables with 2 xlr on one end and tuchel on the other. I wired the xlr connectors for use in unbalanced configuration. It worked very well.

[TEMAS]

Thanks for the advice. I've seen them (the balanced / unbalanced cables) go on ebay for around £60 - £120, which is a lot but nowhere near the current price for a IV-S TC (around £1,100 I think).

BTW, do you know if the Stellavox SM8 has the same unbalanced Tuchel sockets for line I/O? I think a used SM8 goes for around £2,300 and am trying to find a reason to justify spending the extra on an SM8, but the IV-S seems so much better value and a safer option.

I'll be using it mostly for musical recordings and some sfx & foley for a movie score.

[Plush]

Even though I use a Stellavox SM-8, I recommend a Nagra IV-S TC for your useage. Nagra parts are more widely available as is Nagra service.

Yes, Stella also is unbalanced in/out on a tuchel plug. As an option Stellavox offered balanced output (only) on SP-7 and SP-8 machines.

If you don't make them yourself, just get a Nagra house like Richmond Film to make up your tuchel/XLR cables. You never know if the ones on Ebay are even wired correctly.

[TEMAS]

I'll certainly give Richmond Film a call tomorrow.

Thanks again.