Bluegrass
Joined: 05/02/12
Posts: 58
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Best 500 series pre to add to my collection, and kits v originals
#996605 - 07/07/12 10:54 AM
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I have a couple of API 312's and an 'Old School Audio Big Daddy' Pre in an API 500 series
format. I am looking to add another unit with a different "Colour". I have been
contemplating the Neve 1073 or Portico 517. I am recording Jazz, Classical and Folk
Styles, so acoustic instruments and Vocals. I have also read about some DIY Units such as
the 'Sound Skultor MP73' in SOS , and kits from Classic Audio Products of Illinois. What
would be a great sounding pre to add to my collection, and are these DIY kits as great
sounding as the original modules from API and Neve etc. Thanks for any help.
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Jack Ruston
Joined: 21/12/05
Posts: 4066
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Re: Best 500 series pre to add to my collection, and kits v originals
[Re: Bluegrass]
#996617 - 07/07/12 12:04 PM
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The CAPI modules sound a lot better than a modern API 512. But you have to have the skills
to make them up. Not that its especially hard if you can make a good solder joint. There
are pictures on my website of step by step assembley. The instructions that Jeff provides
with the VP26 are excellent. The 500 format is not especially well suited to a
1073 design, and tends to require two or even three slots to fit everything in. I know
Heritage Audio have recently done one which is supposed to be good. Not heard it myself.
J
-------------------- www.jackruston.com
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Bluegrass
Joined: 05/02/12
Posts: 58
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Re: Best 500 series pre to add to my collection, and kits v originals
[Re: Jack Ruston]
#996627 - 07/07/12 02:44 PM
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Yes, thanks for that Jack. I know the older API is meant to sound better than the modern
variants, but wonder how those Classic Audio Products Pres would stack up against my older
Brent Averill api 312's. The advantage of the older gear is of course you can always get
your money back when selling, though more expensive initially.
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Jack Ruston
Joined: 21/12/05
Posts: 4066
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Re: Best 500 series pre to add to my collection, and kits v originals
[Re: Bluegrass]
#996628 - 07/07/12 02:56 PM
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Yeah the CAPI VP26 is more like the classic API desk pre sort of sound. I haven't used the
Brent Averill 312, but the 312 circuit is generally less coloured than the originals. I
think you have relatively little to lose by trying a VP26 project. I have GAR2520's in
mine and they sound extremely good. J
-------------------- www.jackruston.com
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jaminem
active member
Joined: 19/03/01
Posts: 1127
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Re: Best 500 series pre to add to my collection, and kits v originals
[Re: Bluegrass]
#996630 - 07/07/12 03:46 PM
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Quote Bluegrass:
I am recording
Jazz, Classical and Folk Styles, so acoustic instruments and Vocals.
I'd be inclined to go for something
Neve-ish for Vocals and Acoustic instruments.
Personal preference maybe but they
sound better to my ears on those sources. If you said electric guitar then its API all the
way of course.....
The Avedis audio MA5 sounds amazing on vocals and acoustics,
so good in fact i'm seriously considering getting another one. Brent Averil use their
op-amps in their 312 alike...
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Jack Ruston
Joined: 21/12/05
Posts: 4066
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Re: Best 500 series pre to add to my collection, and kits v originals
[Re: Bluegrass]
#996632 - 07/07/12 03:52 PM
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Yeah...Sorry I missed that you're doing classical, jazz and folk. For me that API sound is
all about electric guitars and hard hitting drums. Not that it doesn't work for other
things...it does and very well. But the colour comes from hitting the circuit pretty hard.
They compress. If you hit them less hard they're very clean in some ways. I think for
classical I'd prefer something clean full stop. I know Forsell do a 500 mic amp. I bet
that's clean. Otherwise yeah the MA5 sounds very nice. I dont think it sounds like a 1073
but a 1073 isn't the holy grail it's made out to be. I mean, they distort a lot and you
might not want that. I bet the DAV 500 pre would be nice for that sort of stuff. J
-------------------- www.jackruston.com
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Bluegrass
Joined: 05/02/12
Posts: 58
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Re: Best 500 series pre to add to my collection, and kits v originals
[Re: Jack Ruston]
#996643 - 07/07/12 04:56 PM
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I have actually been very interested in the Dav preamps in the past. Has anyone on the
forum used one?
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Jack Ruston
Joined: 21/12/05
Posts: 4066
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Re: Best 500 series pre to add to my collection, and kits v originals
[Re: Bluegrass]
#996650 - 07/07/12 06:10 PM
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Yeah...lots of people here have them. I've used them quite a few times and they're clean,
clear, just a bit larger than life but not overly rich. I actually stuck them up on some
distorted guitars recently in some VERY expensive company and they weren't found wanting
at all. I'd have happily used them. In fact if I had to make a record with those as my
only pre, I wouldn't be at all worried. They're very good. They just look dreadfully
homemade, like all Mick's stuff. He just doesn't really understand the concept of sex
selling in terms of audio gear! J
-------------------- www.jackruston.com
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Mixedup
active member
Joined: 03/09/03
Posts: 4254
Loc: Cambridge, UK
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Re: Best 500 series pre to add to my collection, and kits v originals
[Re: Jack Ruston]
#996784 - 08/07/12 07:59 PM
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Jack, CAPI also have a list of recommended builders in different territories who will be
happy to build the CAPI stuff up (for a price obviously). Should be a review of the new
one in SOS before too long.
For other pres... plenty of space to do most of the
1073 preamp circuitry in a 1u 500 series module, but more units are needed if you're to
include the EQ. The Sound Skulptor one I have here sounds pretty good. I think you can buy
that ready-made as well. I'm feeling a lot of love for the Electrodyne one right now - and
that might be in the right ball park for the OP's preferred genres. AEA RPQ500 also well
worth investigating. There really are too many to choose from now!
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Jack Ruston
Joined: 21/12/05
Posts: 4066
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Re: Best 500 series pre to add to my collection, and kits v originals
[Re: Bluegrass]
#996795 - 08/07/12 08:40 PM
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I've got a pair of the electrodynes. They're awesome. J
-------------------- www.jackruston.com
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Bluegrass
Joined: 05/02/12
Posts: 58
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Re: Best 500 series pre to add to my collection, and kits v originals
[Re: Jack Ruston]
#997083 - 10/07/12 10:29 PM
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I checked out the Dav 501 pre which are very similar to the dav 'boxed' BG1 pre, but in
500 format. The only real difference seems to be that the 501's have DI inputs whilst the
BG1 has HP filters attached. Are the HP filters of significant use to make the BG 1 a
better bet, or is that really not worth sweating over? It does seem that these may be
perfect for my acoustic recording needs and not overly expensive.
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