003R BLA Signature Series vs. Anything

[phonzadellika]

I was perusing the Black Lion website when I saw that they had a new mod that goes for 1250 dollars. This would put a brand new, BLA signature series 003 at roughly the same price point as the Aurora 8 with a FW card and some of the apogee stuff.

Can throw 2 cents about how an 002 or 003 BLA SS mod stacks up against a Lynx, Rosetta, or Fireface?

[maginotrock]

I have the tweak head mod on my 002R and was considering upgrading to the signature mod. I've only ever compared it to the Fireface and the ADI-8. I think it's easily as good, and to my ears better than both. I have an ADI-8 that i use for the extra I/O, but it's clocked off of the 002, since the big plus for the BLA mods is their clock upgrade. I'm very happy with it all around.

I can't speak to the signature mod, yet, but I can say that the tweak head mod will hold it's own and is well worth the money if you already have an 002/003.

[youngmain]

I forked the money down to get the signature series mod. Im scheduled in late June so I am of no help now. It was primarily a decision based on HD. I am going to let the 003 w/mod hold me down until HD gets revamped. Ill post my thoughts on the signature mod when I get it back, but that wont be a until long while. However, talking to black lion, the word clock is cutting edge and is ridiculously advanced to be in a device such as the 003, but thats what black lion does; make ok equipment super kick ass!

[1/2 Normal]

Originally Posted by youngmain

I forked the money down to get the signature series mod. Im scheduled in late June so I am of no help now. It was primarily a decision based on HD. I am going to let the 003 w/mod hold me down until HD gets revamped. Ill post my thoughts on the signature mod when I get it back, but that wont be a until long while. However, talking to black lion, the word clock is cutting edge and is ridiculously advanced to be in a device such as the 003, but thats what black lion does; make ok equipment super kick ass!

I have a 003 with the tweakhead mod. on the BLA site its seems that the signature series is the Tweakhead mod with a complete revamp of the pres.

Am I correct?


Beers
Rob

[maginotrock]

Originally Posted by 1/2 Normal

I have a 003 with the tweakhead mod. on the BLA site its seems that the signature series is the Tweakhead mod with a complete revamp of the pres.

I think the signature upgrade is the Tweakhead plus the new clock they've designed. They're offering the upgrade to people who have already done the Tweakhead at a reduced price, which implies to me that they aren't going back and redoing everything they already upgraded.

[1/2 Normal]

The tweakhead mod includes new clock
"package offers clock, analog, converter decoupling, and a separate linear power supply for the analog stages"

the only new thing they talk about on their site is pre amps.
if this is the case i will probably pass since im not using the stock pres for critical purposes anyway

Beers
Rob

[maginotrock]

Originally Posted by 1/2 Normal

the only new thing they talk about on their site is pre amps.
if this is the case i will probably pass since im not using the stock pres for critical purposes anyway

Yes the tweakhead does include a clock upgrade as well. The signature is built around yet /another/ clock, their 220/270SP master clock that gets the jitter down even lower (tweak head claims 10 picoseconds, signature series claims 1 picosecond).

If you read the page about the Signature series you'll see that all of the tweakhead and HD mods are included as well as the new 220/270SP clock. I didn't see anything specific they may have done to the pre's beyond what they do on the tweakhead mod.

Digidesign Digi 002 mod

[1/2 Normal]

ahh it seems they got the clock jitter down to 1pic sec from 10 that was on the original clock upgrade.

the audio samples seem to wanna compare preamps though.

Beers
Rob

[phonzadellika]

I wonder if the new clock is really going to make a 500 dollar difference in sound over the tweakhead mod

...I really don't like editing in cubase and I'd love to move over to PTLE, but...

if the AD and the DA signature series mod is on par with the aurora 8, do you guys think that the 4 RNP quality pres on the 003 compensate for the fact that the system isn't really expandable like the aurora is? I've got a firestudio, and while it was an absolutely huge upgrade from my ancient 8-track, I'd prefer some better AD/DA conversion right now because I have some SCA pres.

A lot of the 003 BLA Modders (like Maginotrock) who have had the tweak head mods done say that it is in the apogee, rme quality area. After doing my research, I don't think it's a leap of faith to expect that level of quality. I'm really, really curious if the new patent pending clock is going to turn the 003 into a mytek or something.

[youngmain]

Recently talking to BLA, unfortunately it was the shipping guy but he asked some techs for answers he couldn't reply himself, they said that the signature series mod was perfected by none other than Matt himself because some Sony or big time producer wanted a mod beyond the tweak head done to his 002. Supposedly, after a couple of months(or less) Matt nailed the mod, fixed the kinks, and sent it back. The "producer" sent back 2 sound clips of the a project he worked on and told BLA to pick out which one was recorded through their mod. (Supposedly OK) The BLA team sat around the monitors picked out the sample that had more high and lower end and gave their answer to the producer. They were right. Heres the catch: the other sample of the same music which was really rich in the mids but not as rich in the highs and lows compared to BLA MOD was recorded through a LAVRY BLUE!!!!!!!! This mod is supposed to contend with anything comparable to a Lavry BLUE. Actually inbetween a Lavry Blue and Gold. I didnt say it! Im just relaying info. I respect Black Lion and cant waite to get my mod done, but at times I do feel skeptical. Thanks PEEDER!! I like Peeders consumer view as I have it as well, but after being totally sure I wanted the mod now Im not so sure it was the best investment. OH well, you live and learn right!

[Hot Lipps]

Anybody got thiers back yet and can report?

[KEYBEEETSSS]

Originally Posted by hot lipps

anybody got thiers back yet and can report?

anybody???

[Battles]

I have a Signature Series and it sounds great. I cannot compare it to the Tweak Head because beforehand I only had the HD. Compared to the HD, the Signature Series is an entirely different unit. The highs are really where the Signature Series shines in comparison. At this point I no longer feel the need to even look at other converters. They are no longer an issue.

I do not use the mic pre's. I have a Portico and a P-1 so I have no need. I have tested the onboard pre's though and would not be afraid to use them.

[strewnshank]

I have an 002R with the tweak head mod that is used in conjunction with an Aurora 8. I haven't done extensive listening tests, however, I have a/b'd them and was hard pressed to hear a significant difference between the two. With my current setup, I run 16 channels out from pro tools into my desk, then back into 2 channels of the Aurora, monitered through an apogee DAC. I frequently switch routing between the 002R and Aurora without hesitation or particular care, though I do record the stereo mix exclusivly with the Aurora (for no particular reason other than I want it to sound better). I have decent monitors (focal solo 6's), perfect hearing (just got checked), and I kinda know what I'm doing, so I feel confident that the BLA mod was worth the investment for me. (I could be totally wrong though....this could all be in my head, and I concede that point willfully)

As a reference, I have a track that I mixed pre-mod that I left up, and when I got the unit back, just ran it again. The post-mod mix sounded cleaner, and thats the best word I'm going to find for it.

I have zero experience with the post-mod preamps on the 002R unit.