Mix Wizard vs. Mix Wizard (new vs. old)

noCore · 15th December 2007

Hello all.

I'm considering getting a Mix Wizard WZ320S, however I've been informed that the newer models are actually made with cheaper parts - thus having headroom issues when you push em hard. On that note it was recommended that i find an older Mix Wizard (in my case it'd be the WZ20S) as the components are better, more headroom, and better sound all round.

(typical case of "they just don't make em like they used to" i guess)

the newer model does look a lot nicer, and also has XLR inputs on the dual stereo inputs as opposed to the RCA inputs on the older model... but if the sound quality is compromised by cheap manufacturing, I'd rather find myself an older model, as I tend to get pretty loud with my performances - so I really want a good board that I can push to the limit without having it crap out on me.

Does anyone have any comments on this topic? What is the difference between the old and new Mix Wizard mixers? What year/issue did the parts/manufacturing change occur? Are there any other features that differ between the two?

I would truly appreciate hearing more about this so I can make the best choice.

cheers!
.miQ

ps.. if anyone's looking to sell one of these boards in the Vancouver area early in the new year ~ pm me

greatgreatriver · 15th December 2007

I have the 16:2 old one - I'm not sure they are called 16:2 but you get the idea what I have. The board is very nice - and simple to work on and if one channel breaks down you can open the mixer and take out the broken channel and keep on using the board - you need to cut the ground connection between the channels to remove the channel but it's simple. I use mine at home to sum 8 channels and add some hardware love to the mix. It's a cool little desk that is simple to fix if anything breaks. The EQ is pretty ok for the money and the preamps sound pretty good to.

Are you sure about the RCA? I have TRS and XLR on mine.

noCore · 25th December 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by greatgreatriver

Are you sure about the RCA? I have TRS and XLR on mine.

yeah
http://www.allen-heath.com/ahimages/...connectors.jpg

not a huge deal if there's actually a difference in the headroom/sound quality between the old and new models...

the old model's a few hundred bucks cheaper too...
which ain't so bad either if all this is true.

anyone else???

noCore · 9th January 2008

noCore · 19th January 2008

anybody?

aussie_techie · 19th January 2008

i havnt noticed any headroom issues on the W3 16:2 just make sure you have good gain staging. gain staging is critical in an console and no wizard will sound nice when you clip it.

the newer models do use a different construction and have less noise, individual phantom switches and channel signal LEDs. on the down side to anybody that is used to working on previous A&H consoles is they have moved some of the eq points. if your still not sure find a 16channel GL 2200, their stereo channels have TRS.

noCore · 19th March 2008

aussie_techie · 19th March 2008

just get whatever model you can get at a good price.

noCore · 19th March 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie_techie

just get whatever model you can get at a good price.

yeah i've pretty much narrowed my pick down to either the WZ20S or WZ16:2DX...

so keeping an eye on the used market..

just bought an Allen&Heath Quasi Mixer (circa 1973)
so that should keep me busy for a while until something comes up.

still curious though, in the meantime, if anyone has ever noticed a difference between the old and new models.

Kyle S · 19th March 2008

fwiw, i own a WZ3 16:2 and its held up great for over a year of moving around all the time and a decent amount of use. really cool racked up in a roadcase. nothing has broken yet and it sounds great for what i paid for it new.

dont forget you get a warranty with a new one. not that it makes any difference if it sounds crap to you.

15th December 2007	#1
noCore Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: East Van Posts: 80 Thread Starter	Mix Wizard vs. Mix Wizard (new vs. old) Hello all. I'm considering getting a Mix Wizard WZ320S, however I've been informed that the newer models are actually made with cheaper parts - thus having headroom issues when you push em hard. On that note it was recommended that i find an older Mix Wizard (in my case it'd be the WZ20S) as the components are better, more headroom, and better sound all round. (typical case of "they just don't make em like they used to" i guess) the newer model does look a lot nicer, and also has XLR inputs on the dual stereo inputs as opposed to the RCA inputs on the older model... but if the sound quality is compromised by cheap manufacturing, I'd rather find myself an older model, as I tend to get pretty loud with my performances - so I really want a good board that I can push to the limit without having it crap out on me. Does anyone have any comments on this topic? What is the difference between the old and new Mix Wizard mixers? What year/issue did the parts/manufacturing change occur? Are there any other features that differ between the two? I would truly appreciate hearing more about this so I can make the best choice. cheers! .miQ ps.. if anyone's looking to sell one of these boards in the Vancouver area early in the new year ~ pm me

15th December 2007	#2
greatgreatriver Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,217	I have the 16:2 old one - I'm not sure they are called 16:2 but you get the idea what I have. The board is very nice - and simple to work on and if one channel breaks down you can open the mixer and take out the broken channel and keep on using the board - you need to cut the ground connection between the channels to remove the channel but it's simple. I use mine at home to sum 8 channels and add some hardware love to the mix. It's a cool little desk that is simple to fix if anything breaks. The EQ is pretty ok for the money and the preamps sound pretty good to. Are you sure about the RCA? I have TRS and XLR on mine. __________________ 8 track analog studio / N3 - Living off grid since 2004 - Yoga instructor and Apache healer. Fanzine editor and Creative Director for New Age Health Magazine. CEO and Vice President for Natural Apache Association. Experienced in Yoga, Meditation, Healing, LSD mentor. Used to be a sex guru but lately I have experienced problem producing wood for our fire. Hello! It's not 1983 anymore. We have computers now. No need to travel or write on silly paper.

19th March 2008	#7
noCore Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: East Van Posts: 80 Thread Starter	b.bump

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noCore Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: East Van Posts: 80 Thread Starter

19th January 2008	#5
noCore Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: East Van Posts: 80 Thread Starter	anybody?

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aussie_techie Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 2,709	i havnt noticed any headroom issues on the W3 16:2 just make sure you have good gain staging. gain staging is critical in an console and no wizard will sound nice when you clip it. the newer models do use a different construction and have less noise, individual phantom switches and channel signal LEDs. on the down side to anybody that is used to working on previous A&H consoles is they have moved some of the eq points. if your still not sure find a 16channel GL 2200, their stereo channels have TRS.

19th March 2008	#10
Kyle S Lives for gear Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tusc/Bham AL Posts: 1,159	fwiw, i own a WZ3 16:2 and its held up great for over a year of moving around all the time and a decent amount of use. really cool racked up in a roadcase. nothing has broken yet and it sounds great for what i paid for it new. dont forget you get a warranty with a new one. not that it makes any difference if it sounds crap to you.