Just got my Vintech 273...

[Fearless1]

Just got my Vintech 273.
All I can say is wow!

Just for comparison, I have the following pres:
API 3124+
ISA 220
dbx 786
and the pres in the RME FireFace 800 (which I don't use).

Pres I sold:dfegad
Focusrite VoiceMaster Pro (Crap!)
Focusrite Twin Track Pro (Crapier)
Joe Meek Twin Q (Crappy quality - The knob covers fell off!)
Mackie 800R (boring and not much different than using 8 ART Tube MP's)
GT The Brick ( what a piece of crap!)

So here are my first impressions:
The build quality is impeccable!
The pictures do not do it justice.
The build quality is what I expected my API to be like.
The robustness is on par with the dbx 786.

Sound impressions:
I first tested it with my MusicMan Sterling Bass.
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!
Comparing it to my API, the API has more lows and dark sounding.
The Vintech has more control and eq is perfect.
The Focusrite is whimpy.
The dbx 786 has no instrument input so I didn't compare it.

Second, I used my U87 and did some test vocals.
Wow! My U87 never sounded so warm!
Very creamy, very rich. The eq is very nice.
The dbx 786 is very clean, more like skimmed milk.
The Focusrite lacks that chocolate warmth, and brings out that Neuman sheen too much. Still a usable pre.
The API sounds more aggresive and darker. More like dark chocolate.

In speaking with Dallas Upton, he is a very unassuming stand up gentleman.

If I had to do it over again, I would have just started with a rack full of Vintechs.
Keep in mind this is my first impesson and have not tested it in the mix.

From reading the positives and negatives on this board, I have to say that the Vintech 273 exceeded my expectations.

Thanks Dallas!
Thanks Craig!

[cap217]

can you compare the eq's on the vintech to the ISA 220? I know it is unfair but just the highs and lows... it you set them the same!

[Fearless1]

This is difficult to do because the preamps sound so diffirent. You can not use just the eq without using the preamp in both of these units.

I tried recording vocals with my U-87 to compare just the shelving portion of the two units and and could not get them to sound the same. I know this word has been overused, but there is more warmth in the Vintech, and that has more to do with the preamp.

If you are comparing just the high and low shelving, the Vintech can have more of an extreme effect ( more gain and cut) and seems to be more musical.
However, the 220 has parametric as well as an additional filter control (which is like a simple two knob tone control.

My dbx 760 has a nice spectral control, but I think I like the Vintech eq sound better. The 760 sounds more clinical, which is great for acoustic guitar and piano.

The compressor is very subtle on the 220 and the de-essor is a nice feature. However, the compressor plug-ins in my UAD-1 cards sound much better than the Focusrite's.

The only feature I wish the 273 had was some sort of metering, with a minimum green, yellow and red overload LEDs. The meters on the Focusrite are excellent.

The build quality on the Vintech is definitely better.

The Focusrite and Vintech have very different coloration. If I absolutely had to get rid of one, I would reluctantly get rid of the Focusrite. I like them both for different reasons.

I know that you are probably tired of this answer, but you really must hear them for yourself.

[cap217]

Well I just got both units so I will figure it out myself. Thats what I wanted to hear though, that the eq's are really different!

[tekn0]

how do you think the 273 would sound compared to 2 x73's? or 2 x73i's

I would hope the same because if so, i really want one

[Brandino221]

Originally Posted by tekn0

how do you think the 273 would sound compared to 2 x73's? or 2 x73i's

I would hope the same because if so, i really want one

I think if they are all flat on the EQ they should sound the same. maybe Dallas can shine some light.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by tekn0

how do you think the 273 would sound compared to 2 x73's? or 2 x73i's

I would hope the same because if so, i really want one

The preamps sound exactly the same. The EQ's basically sound the same (on similar bands/curves), they are all just set up a little differently (i.e. 3 band with HPF, 2 band shelving, etc, etc).

[jrod9900]

I'm getting the 273 next. Since Vintech dropped the price to $1699, I'm gonna go for it once I get Komplete 7 paid off.

I wanted to get to x73i's, but that is almost a grand more.

I'm currently using 610's as my go-to pre, and I love them, but I got some use with the Vintech stuff earlier this year. Wow. Loved it!!!