Anybody used the Warm WA12?

[RevoltStudios]

I'm in the market for another improvement and looking at pres to use instead of the Saffire 40's which are great, but very bland. I've googled till I'm blue in the face about the GAP pre73 and then came across the WARM WA12. I'm stuck there. Zen Pro has clips and both units are great, just opposite spectrums. If I did go with the GAP I'd be getting the TT mod one which definitely sounds better to my ears than stock. Anybody have personal experience? I like a warmer sound but with an upfront kind of feel. Using an Advanced Audio CM87 (u87).

 

[Jaymz]

Does it come in black....?

Sounds badass though! I'm interested...

 

[mva801]

I know there's a few guys on here who have the WA-12. I haven't used one, but if I was you I would keep the kit type preamps in your option list. Classic API's API clones I HAVE used and they are spectacular. You could get a preamp and a rack kit from them for about $600--- and have plenty of 500 series space left over.

 

[JonWormwood]

I've got a pre73 fully modded by the guy...

 

[RevoltStudios]

And how is it?

 

[JonWormwood]

And how is it?

I've only used pres on sub par interfaces so I can't compare it to the real 1073 or anytning

 

[DeclanWhite]

I have the wa-12. it's great, but i cant compare it to anything except my rme stock pres, which it is tons better than

 

[Jaymz]

I have the wa-12. it's great, but i cant compare it to anything except my rme stock pres, which it is tons better than

Does it handle heavy guitars okay?

I hear alot about "warmth" and "enhanced low end" but sometimes one mans "warmth" is another mans "mud"

 

[RevoltStudios]

Well nobody really has any ideas with the WA12 but I got useful info from Zen Pro Audio's clipolator and the TT modded GAP just sounds up my alley. Vintage vibe with a sheen top. Didn't like it stock though, kinda blah. So my opinion based on the clips is WA12 hands down with stock options on the GAP but equal with the TT GAP mod. Just two different flavors at that point, Neve or API.

 

[Jaymz]

Dunno about your place but in the UK the WA12 is massively cheaper than a modded GAP.

 

[JonWormwood]

Well nobody really has any ideas with the WA12 but I got useful info from Zen Pro Audio's clipolator and the TT modded GAP just sounds up my alley. Vintage vibe with a sheen top. Didn't like it stock though, kinda blah. So my opinion based on the clips is WA12 hands down with stock options on the GAP but equal with the TT GAP mod. Just two different flavors at that point, Neve or API.

Sounds about right

 

[aortizjr]

I have a pair and they sound pretty darn good. Very versatile too.

I don't have a real API, but I did compare them to a few preamps I have around. The closest being the Seventh Circle A12.

Compared to those they have a bit less upper midrange bite and a bigger lowend. The lower impedance tone button makes a huge difference to like an SM57. It is certainly a colored preamp. Nether was better to me, just different. And this was for guitars and drums. Haven't really put it on a lot of sources.

I don't have a GAP but I have the TNC group buy neve clones that are basically the same thing.

Compared to those it has more bite to them and definitely a more like 3D sound with more lowend. Things sound less congested if that makes sense. Pretty subtle but there to me.

I also have an Octopre mkII and that has this weird hazy upper midrange that bothers me and they are boring sounding. The WA12 and TNC are much more flattering than that.

Bottom line, if it were me, I would go with the WA12 over the GAP. In that same sort of range, the SCA stuff is awesome!