Buying a high-end pre! Need your input!

[barricade]

So i'm buying a 2ch high end mic pre. I want it to be my goto pre for everything and i want a bit of characher because i have only the asp008 which are very clean.

I'm willing to spend around 2500€ and was thinking about these:

BAE 1073 MP
Neve 1073
Great River ME 2NV
Chandler TG2

So what are you suggesting?
I'm mostly recording rock/metal...

 

[Force666]

What about a lunchbox w 2 great river 500 and 2 api 512. That would cover a lot of bases.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

How about an API lunchbox and a couple of 512's? That would offer great expandability, I'm looking at that option myself.

EDIT: Too late... again

 

[BLUElightCory]

My answer would be "yes."

Seriously though, I'd probably go the lunchbox route as well - that budget will get you (as Force suggested) two API 512s and two Great River MP-500NVs, as well as the lunchbox itself.

That way, you get 4 channels, two API-flavor and two Neve-flavor, that will cover all of your bases and that you will never outgrow.

 

[barricade]

Tnx guys for the input!

And i always wanted to know if there is any difference between the great river 500 series and the rack version? EDIT: in sound not in looks..

 

[guitarguru777]

LOL.... another vote here for Lunchbox

 

[SimonTaddio_Qc]

if you're kind of at ease with electronic and PCB soldering, Seventh Circle Audio offers great clone kits (API, Neve, etc...) for a good price

 

[jipchen]

Yeah the lunchbox could be a good idea, very flexible apparently.
I've got the Great River Pre and really like it. However, I won't buy any more "high-end" preamps soon.
The difference in sound is like REALLY small and I personally will invest more in acoustics, microphones, monitors, outboard/plugins than in preamps, as those affect the tone/mix 100fold.
Listen to those samples for example: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gear...ace-501-gap-pre-73-fmr-rnp-art-behringer.html
Not like there's no difference, especially the Behringer pre sounds like shit. I guess everyone has to decide on his/her own whether a similiar pre is worth $1000 more. Make shure to try out the Golden Age Pre 73!

EDIT: Too late... again

 

[Charlie E.]

With that budget you could get an API 3124+. That's 4 great pre's instead of 2

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

With that budget you could get an API 3124+. That's 4 great pre's instead of 2

True. Not much versatility, but they fucking rule for metal and rock drums and guitars.

Then again, if you know how to hold a soldering iron, you could go the lunchbox route and have a looksie here... http://classicapi.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=22_47_55

 

[gabriel g.]

daking is cool too

 

[barricade]

Yeah the lunchbox could be a good idea, very flexible apparently.
I've got the Great River Pre and really like it. However, I won't buy any more "high-end" preamps soon.
The difference in sound is like REALLY small and I personally will invest more in acoustics, microphones, monitors, outboard/plugins than in preamps, as those affect the tone/mix 100fold.
Listen to those samples for example: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gear...ace-501-gap-pre-73-fmr-rnp-art-behringer.html
Not like there's no difference, especially the Behringer pre sounds like shit. I guess everyone has to decide on his/her own whether a similiar pre is worth $1000 more. Make shure to try out the Golden Age Pre 73!

Tnx for this shootout! I rly love GR on all of the stuff...it's rly full and warm! On the other hand the API is awesome too... you can rly hear the attack on the strings (acoustic guitar).

About the 500 series... i have an option to get the BAE 6slot an ppl are saying that it's better then the api lucnhboxes...do you guys have any experience with that?

 

[Mikaël-ange]

For pick one on your list: BAE 1073 of course

Assuming you have AMS Neve in mind when you wrote your post...

 

[barricade]

Yes AMS neve...

Now i'm listening to some more clips of the GreatRiver...and damn does it sound nnice on vocals and guitars! Api is kinda too thin sounding in comparison to the GR ...it's totally different. Ppl are saying too that the BAE 1073 and the GR sound pritty much similar... si that true? (can't find any comparisons online)

 

[BLUElightCory]

Yes AMS neve...

Now i'm listening to some more clips of the GreatRiver...and damn does it sound nnice on vocals and guitars! Api is kinda too thin sounding in comparison to the GR ...it's totally different. Ppl are saying too that the BAE 1073 and the GR sound pritty much similar... si that true? (can't find any comparisons online)

Sort of. The GR is basically an updated 1073; it's a bit more clean and open (that doesnt necessarily mean better) than a traditional 1073. There's basically no difference between the 500 and rack version as far as I know.

The API pres are more mid-focused and punchy than the GR/1073 and they don't sound as "big," but they excel at tight, aggressive tones.

Like I said before, two of each would be a KILLER setup.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Aurora Audio GTQ2. Designed by Geoff Tanner who used to work at Neve.
Plus you get a decent 3-band EQ in this box which is nice for tracking. Great all around pre. TG2 is great for guitars but the GTQ2 is probably all around more versatile IMO. Also you really can't go wrong with the GR either. I have used them all but I would go with the GTQ2 if I had to choose only one.

 

[greyskull]

So i'm buying a 2ch high end mic pre. I want it to be my goto pre for everything and i want a bit of characher because i have only the asp008 which are very clean.

I'm willing to spend around 2500€ and was thinking about these:

BAE 1073 MP
Neve 1073
Great River ME 2NV
Chandler TG2

So what are you suggesting?
I'm mostly recording rock/metal...

Add API 3124 to that list and you're golden.

 

[barricade]

Tnx guys for your help! I think i'll go with the Great River ME 2NV and buy later on the API3124 when the money turns around again Will post some comparison clips to the ASP008 in the end of this month!

 

[AEL89]

I have an Audient ASP008 and I recently bought an Empirical Labs EL-9 channel strip. So happy with it, I don't think I could have made a better purchase to be honest. Great pre and compressor in one box - definitely worth your consideration!

(Great River is amazing too of course)

 

[MicSlut666]

I can also recommend the A-Designs Pacifica! It sounds like a cross between API and Neve. Bigger than an API, but punchier than Neve. So you get the best of both worlds. I also own a Neve 1073 and an API 3124 but if you are looking for your first to go pre "for everything" i would suggest the Pacifica.