1073DPD Stereo Mic Preamp's vs. the Mic preamps within the prism orpheus?

[R08]

My budget will allow for

a) 1 prism orpheus or,

b) Neve 1073dpd interfaced through an apogee ensemble

I need firewire as i am using a macbook pro.

Wondering if the Prism preamps would be 'just as good' as the neve's

I understand the neve is colored and the prism less so.

I do alot of acoustic and electronic music

What would you opt for and why?

Thanks

[tsvisser]

I would choose the ensemble and 1073DPD, then I have access to two different mic pre flavors.

[Schmacko]

Originally Posted by tsvisser

I would choose the ensemble and 1073DPD, then I have access to two different mic pre flavors.

x2 - I use an Ensemble + AMS Neve 1073DPD setup. At the risk of upsetting clock source guru's, I sincerely seem to find an improvement of resolution in the extreme higb and low frequencies when monitoring with the AMS converter as the clock source. I'm not going to go into it, but for me that just the way that I prefer it. Try it for yourself, don't listen solely to gearslutz.

Also, this setup works for me because the AMS-Neve A/D converters are ridiculously good, And, I only record more than 2 channels at a time during unique situations these days. The Ensemble's converters are great, especially with the improved clock, but the 2 AMS channels take this setup over the top for those who predominantly focus on recording only 2 channels of pinnacle conversion in a given recording situation. Moreover, the Ensemble's conversion is more than sufficient IMO with or without a Big Ben or similar, but it's capabilities reach far into an audiophile's standard...IMHO This is the reason that I haven't traded up to an Orpheus.