DAV vs FMR on piano

pianoman · 1st December 2006

Hello, all --

First, thanks once again for helping me to discover the DAV preamp. My BG-1U arrived yesterday, which will take over from my FMR RNP.

Here is are two snippets from the first unoptimized recording of my Steinway M (mics could be better positioned, playing could be more accurate, preamp levels aren't perfectly set) using an AKG C414B-XLS into each preamp. The purpose is solely to hear the sonic differences between the two preamps. The mics were both in wide cardiod, positioned as close together as possible, so any differences are the preamp or the mic-to-mic variation from the same model.

"1st snippet" -- has lots of notes, chromatics
"What I Did..." -- more texture

Cheers...

jsavisalo · 2nd December 2006

Thank you pianoman, this is a great test! And it also made me very glad because I was a while ago making a choise between FMR and DAV, and chose the BG-1 (original, not U), based only on reviews and opinions...

I listened to your samples as a blind test using WinABX software. After some listening I was able to clearly hear the differences between the samples, and I quite confidently chose the DAV samples as the better ones - without knowing which is which.
I don't think the FMR sounds bad at all, but to me the DAV sounds better, more natural and enjoyable. And I think the fast playing in the "1st snippet" shows how the DAV is able to keep the notes separate better than FMR, especially the low notes.

I think your thread deserves more people to join in and listen to the samples. Very interesting.

Juha

Just Dan · 3rd December 2006

What's the difference between the 1 and the 1U?

I can't find anything on the website.

Daniel

T.RayBullard · 3rd December 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Dan

What's the difference between the 1 and the 1U?

I can't find anything on the website.

Daniel

rack mountable format, UV sensitive finish, DI input

clickplay · 5th December 2006

Dav sounds "clearer " and a tad more full to me.Like a recording studio.
MY i88x sounds cleared and fuller to me than the FMR.
The FMR doesn't sound like it would lend itself to a built up of tracks as well as the Dav.

FilmDingo · 5th December 2006

I had just decided it was time to get either a DAV or a couple of RNP and had figured the DAV would be a little more lively. I was not dissapointed by your samples.

On my system the difference was not great, the DAV just felt richer in the lower end.

Thanks for making these recordings.

pianoman · 7th December 2006

... and here are three more snippets, with the same microphones (AKG C414B-XLS) -- this time the mics are on omni and put in the centre of the room as close together as possible, approximately 10 feet from the closest edge of the piano. The first section of the recording is from the "Maple Leaf Rag" and the second some fast chromatics with a chord underneath.

This time a third mic/pre combination was used -- a different microphone (AT4050) into the second channel of the DAV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pianoman

Hello, all --

First, thanks once again for helping me to discover the DAV preamp. My BG-1U arrived yesterday, which will take over from my FMR RNP.

Here is are two snippets from the first unoptimized recording of my Steinway M (mics could be better positioned, playing could be more accurate, preamp levels aren't perfectly set) using an AKG C414B-XLS into each preamp. The purpose is solely to hear the sonic differences between the two preamps. The mics were both in wide cardiod, positioned as close together as possible, so any differences are the preamp or the mic-to-mic variation from the same model.

"1st snippet" -- has lots of notes, chromatics
"What I Did..." -- more texture

Cheers...

jsavisalo · 7th December 2006

Thanks for the new samples pianoman. I listened them blind again and got the same result as with your first samples: I liked the DAV snippet more, though the difference is fairly subtle.
I think that the high trill in the middle of the sample is good in showing how the DAV gives more detail. In the FMR sample you can basically hear the notes, whereas in the DAV sample you actually hear how the hammers hit the strings... or that's what I think I'm hearing anyway...

Juha

2nd December 2006	#2
jsavisalo Gear interested Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 22	Thank you pianoman, this is a great test! And it also made me very glad because I was a while ago making a choise between FMR and DAV, and chose the BG-1 (original, not U), based only on reviews and opinions... I listened to your samples as a blind test using WinABX software. After some listening I was able to clearly hear the differences between the samples, and I quite confidently chose the DAV samples as the better ones - without knowing which is which. I don't think the FMR sounds bad at all, but to me the DAV sounds better, more natural and enjoyable. And I think the fast playing in the "1st snippet" shows how the DAV is able to keep the notes separate better than FMR, especially the low notes. I think your thread deserves more people to join in and listen to the samples. Very interesting. Juha __________________ http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/juhsavis

5th December 2006	#6
FilmDingo Gear nut Joined: Jul 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 96	perfect timing I had just decided it was time to get either a DAV or a couple of RNP and had figured the DAV would be a little more lively. I was not dissapointed by your samples. On my system the difference was not great, the DAV just felt richer in the lower end. Thanks for making these recordings. __________________ D.C.Patterson - San Antonio, TX ____________________________ Provoke the unexpected - Bresson ____________________________

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3rd December 2006	#3
Just Dan Gear Head Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 68	What's the difference between the 1 and the 1U? I can't find anything on the website. Daniel

5th December 2006	#5
clickplay Gear interested Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 26	Dav sounds "clearer " and a tad more full to me.Like a recording studio. MY i88x sounds cleared and fuller to me than the FMR. The FMR doesn't sound like it would lend itself to a built up of tracks as well as the Dav.

7th December 2006	#8
jsavisalo Gear interested Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 22	Thanks for the new samples pianoman. I listened them blind again and got the same result as with your first samples: I liked the DAV snippet more, though the difference is fairly subtle. I think that the high trill in the middle of the sample is good in showing how the DAV gives more detail. In the FMR sample you can basically hear the notes, whereas in the DAV sample you actually hear how the hammers hit the strings... or that's what I think I'm hearing anyway... Juha