DAV BG1 owners: Keep RNP or pull the trigger?

wayne mox · 4th December 2005, 06:54 PM

I'm pullin my hair out because there's nothing I hate worse than buying equipment brand new, as I'd lose money when I sell it if it doesn't work out.

So goes the problem I have with the BG1. From the hype I hear on the forums it sounds like a pre worth getting and keeping, but gosh dern it none ever come up for sale used....

So, I have the RNP and I guess it sounds fine, I really don't know since I have little experience with various pre's. Acoustic music is what I like to do.

So the dilemma, is it worth throwing down $680 for the BG1, and selling the RNP for what looks like $350ish. So basically the question is, is the BG1 worth an extra $350 over the RNP?

If so... why? Not conjecture, not what you've "heard", but what you've personally experienced with the RNP and BG1.

wayne mox · 5th December 2005, 03:57 AM

recky · 5th December 2005, 08:05 AM

Hi!

I only own the BG 1, not the RNP, so I guess I can only be semi-helpful.

The BG 1 is most definitely one of the better "clean" preamps out there. It's not completely uncoloured, but then, what preamp is? The underlying design was used in the mixing desks of the famous London Decca studios, famed for their classical recordings. Considering its quality, it's almost cheap.

I use it on acoustic instrument with great success. With a good mic, acoustic guitars and other stringed instruments sound almost "like a record" without any major tweaking.

Cheers,

Recky

wayne mox · 5th December 2005, 05:19 PM

I need more.

mds · 5th December 2005, 07:15 PM

I'm in the same situation as recky, but the BG1 us an awesome preamp. When I was shopping around it became pretty clear to me the BG1 was the superior preamp. Hopefully someone around here has both and can make a strong comparision.

Good luck!

Mike

hopeless_opus · 5th December 2005, 08:05 PM

Whether or not the DAV is better than the RNP, they seem to be similar and both have a really good reputation. If your going to spend $300-$400, why not keep the RNP and add something like the GT Brick. This would give you something a little different for some sounds....

just another suggestion to consider.

2leod · 5th December 2005, 08:30 PM

Unfortunately, no shortcuts here. If you know a dealer who will let you try one on for size, and you decide you don't think the price of admission is worth it, shipping becomes your rental fee. I'm also more of the opinion that you might want to try other flavours, but you really are the only one who knows what you want.

Oh, and speaking of what you want...

Don't pull out your hair, you'll prolly want that later.

wayne mox · 5th December 2005, 09:42 PM

Appreciate the responses, but still don't know what to do. I was going to order it tonight, but if the RNP and BG1 are "similar" in sound, both being clean and transparent, then maybe I do want a different flavour.

Being that I have little experience in pre's, I am left feeling that I may not be getting the best I can for my money in RNP. When people claim how big and open and wonderful the BG1 sounds, I feel like I need to order one cause it sounds like it might be better than my RNP. I simply just don't know.

mljung · 4th December 2006, 10:26 PM

Why don't you simply order the DAV directly from Mick Hinton and then return it if it's not as good as you expect/hope? Ask for his return policy and decide for yourself!

Tommylicious · 4th December 2006, 11:22 PM

There's a shootout of those on the piano here;

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=97150

might be of help

2leod · 4th December 2006, 11:49 PM

Holy back from the Boneyard, Batman!

Albert · 5th December 2006, 12:40 AM

For what it's worth, I used to own a Grace 201, but sold it once I bought got the BG-1. If that helps gives you an idea about the quality of the BG-1. It's a great sounding preamp with a signature sound that is big and warm while at the same time being transparent. I've not used the RNP but I highly doubt it sounds like the BG-1.

cramseur · 5th December 2006, 01:03 AM

I sold my RNP once I got the BG-1. For whatever that means to you.

6strings · 5th December 2006, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2leod

Holy back from the Boneyard, Batman!

LOL! 12/5/05, huh? I hope he made up his mind by now!

Albert · 5th December 2006, 04:16 AM

Oh shoot, I got sucked into an old thread. I hate that!

UPRYZ · 5th December 2006, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albert

I've not used the RNP but I highly doubt it sounds like the BG-1.

No offense, but these types of comments drive me crazy. The OP asked for real comparisons, not conjecture. How can you "highly doubt" the RNP sounds like the BG-1 if you've never used an RNP?

Dan Fox

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4th December 2005, 06:54 PM	#1
wayne mox Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 506	DAV BG1 owners: Keep RNP or pull the trigger? I'm pullin my hair out because there's nothing I hate worse than buying equipment brand new, as I'd lose money when I sell it if it doesn't work out. So goes the problem I have with the BG1. From the hype I hear on the forums it sounds like a pre worth getting and keeping, but gosh dern it none ever come up for sale used.... So, I have the RNP and I guess it sounds fine, I really don't know since I have little experience with various pre's. Acoustic music is what I like to do. So the dilemma, is it worth throwing down $680 for the BG1, and selling the RNP for what looks like $350ish. So basically the question is, is the BG1 worth an extra $350 over the RNP? If so... why? Not conjecture, not what you've "heard", but what you've personally experienced with the RNP and BG1.

5th December 2005, 03:57 AM	#2
wayne mox Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 506	bump

5th December 2005, 08:30 PM	#7
2leod Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: A big Canadian island in the Pacific, but my citizenship is otherworldly... Posts: 938	Unfortunately, no shortcuts here. If you know a dealer who will let you try one on for size, and you decide you don't think the price of admission is worth it, shipping becomes your rental fee. I'm also more of the opinion that you might want to try other flavours, but you really are the only one who knows what you want. Oh, and speaking of what you want... Don't pull out your hair, you'll prolly want that later. __________________ Doug

4th December 2006, 11:22 PM	#10
Tommylicious Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Haarlem, Holland Posts: 846	There's a shootout of those on the piano here; http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=97150 might be of help __________________

5th December 2005, 08:05 AM	#3
recky Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bonn, Germany Posts: 312	Hi! I only own the BG 1, not the RNP, so I guess I can only be semi-helpful. The BG 1 is most definitely one of the better "clean" preamps out there. It's not completely uncoloured, but then, what preamp is? The underlying design was used in the mixing desks of the famous London Decca studios, famed for their classical recordings. Considering its quality, it's almost cheap. I use it on acoustic instrument with great success. With a good mic, acoustic guitars and other stringed instruments sound almost "like a record" without any major tweaking. Cheers, Recky

5th December 2005, 05:19 PM	#4
wayne mox Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 506	I need more.

5th December 2005, 07:15 PM	#5
mds Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,104	I'm in the same situation as recky, but the BG1 us an awesome preamp. When I was shopping around it became pretty clear to me the BG1 was the superior preamp. Hopefully someone around here has both and can make a strong comparision. Good luck! Mike

5th December 2005, 08:05 PM	#6
hopeless_opus Gear maniac Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 298	Whether or not the DAV is better than the RNP, they seem to be similar and both have a really good reputation. If your going to spend $300-$400, why not keep the RNP and add something like the GT Brick. This would give you something a little different for some sounds.... just another suggestion to consider.

5th December 2005, 09:42 PM	#8
wayne mox Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 506	Appreciate the responses, but still don't know what to do. I was going to order it tonight, but if the RNP and BG1 are "similar" in sound, both being clean and transparent, then maybe I do want a different flavour. Being that I have little experience in pre's, I am left feeling that I may not be getting the best I can for my money in RNP. When people claim how big and open and wonderful the BG1 sounds, I feel like I need to order one cause it sounds like it might be better than my RNP. I simply just don't know.

4th December 2006, 10:26 PM	#9
mljung Gear maniac Join Date: May 2006 Location: Copenhagen, DK Posts: 255	Why don't you simply order the DAV directly from Mick Hinton and then return it if it's not as good as you expect/hope? Ask for his return policy and decide for yourself!

4th December 2006, 11:49 PM	#11
2leod Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: A big Canadian island in the Pacific, but my citizenship is otherworldly... Posts: 938	Holy back from the Boneyard, Batman! __________________ Doug

5th December 2006, 12:40 AM	#12
Albert Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,483	For what it's worth, I used to own a Grace 201, but sold it once I bought got the BG-1. If that helps gives you an idea about the quality of the BG-1. It's a great sounding preamp with a signature sound that is big and warm while at the same time being transparent. I've not used the RNP but I highly doubt it sounds like the BG-1. __________________ http://www.misterpotts.com http://www.myspace.com/albypottsmusic

5th December 2006, 01:03 AM	#13
cramseur Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cedarhurst, NY USA Posts: 511	I sold my RNP once I got the BG-1. For whatever that means to you. __________________ :::: Craig Ramseur :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist." - Ralph Waldo Emerson Om mi to fuo!

5th December 2006, 04:16 AM	#15
Albert Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,483	Oh shoot, I got sucked into an old thread. I hate that! __________________ http://www.misterpotts.com http://www.myspace.com/albypottsmusic

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