Want to build the best bang for buck pre possible. Ok with spending a little bit

[777funk]

I am not after the cheapest pre. I realize I can build that $5 pre if I want a cheap pre. But my Digi001 has ok pres built in. So my goal is to build something really nice.

So am I best off to build a Neve pre, an 1176 or LA-2A to use as a pre?

I'm completely open to suggestions!

thanks in advance,
Nick

 

[abbey road d enfer]

There are many possibilities. Do you want super-clean, clean or "colored"? Do you want Very Low Noise? What do you want to record? Vox, gtr, drums, piano...?
An 1176 or LA X cannot be used as a GP mic pre, not enough gain, no phantom voltage...good complements for a mic pre though.

 

[777funk]

I like color if it's the right color obviously. That's part of what appeals to me with the LA-2A since it's tube. I had heard that it has enough gain to be used as a pre but maybe I'd heard wrong on that. Could the gain be increased?

But then comes the T4B availability issue.

As far as economical input/output transformers are there any new options there?

 

[abbey road d enfer]

IIRC, the LA2A and the 1176 have about 45-50dB of gain, which makes them usable as mic pres gain-wise, but in terms of noise figure, I wouldn't want to use them with more than 30dB gain, which qualifies them for drums and electric guitars, not for vocals or acoustic guitar or piano.

 

[Rybow]

I just finished off a pair of 312 type pre amps. I use them on everything despite their reputation for having an aggressive sound. Very versatile, and a nice compliment to my Ensemble pre's. One channel has the gar2520 DOA and EA 2622/2503 transformers, the other has the gar1731 and Cinemag 75101/CMOQ 2L transformers. Both sound great, and give very different colours. They can be built for pretty cheap depending on what options you go for.

If you want Tubes, you can't go wrong with an NYD MILA or one bottle pre amp. Those can be made cheaply, and there is lots of support and options for the build. The Orange 86 is another option as well.

I haven't heard of any new economical transformers in awhile. OEP, Edcor, Cinemag, and Ed Anderson trafo's seem to be the best options there.

Check out this site for a good selection of DIY options.
http://www.diyrecordingequipment.com/

 

[Meathands]

IMHO, you're not going to find more bang for the buck than with an API-style project.

There's a great-looking 4 channel one being offered right now: http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=44584.0

If you are relatively new to DIY, I would recommend starting with a full kit like the one above rather than just PCBs. FiveFish, Seventh Circle, ClassicAPI, and JLM Audio also have full kit options.

 

[desol]

I just finished off a pair of 312 type pre amps. I use them on everything despite their reputation for having an aggressive sound.

I never really got what people mean by aggressive. If they mean, pushing a pre into distortion till it sounds hard...i'm sure alot of pre's will do that. The best of the API sound is defined to me when listening to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. Which is very soft and beautiful sounding, but has well defined transients. Then again, a large part of how that album sounds is also attributed to the room...and the amount of soundproofing it had.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumours

I was really surprised when i finished my 312s, keeping in mind i used original parts including the old 2622's. They have a sweet and soft high end, not at all what i was expecting from all this talk about hard, aggressive, etc etc.

Edit: Maybe it's from the fact that an API can retain an aggressive sound...like Van Halen or something.

 

[Rybow]

I think it has to do with the more forward mid range in a 312 that gives it that "aggressive" label. I've found my 2520 channel to have this quality.

 

[desol]

lol. There's another one of those terms. Forward midrange... is that like, it's throwing a midrange fastball at me?

jk

...or does it mean, it represents the midrange well(or more clearly) when something is recorded through it?

I was in shock actually, disappointed, when i was finished my 312's. I was like, how come it sounds so soft?? But that disappeared when i heard it on acoustic guitar, etc etc 

 

[lassoharp]

There's another one of those terms. Forward midrange... is that like, it's throwing a midrange fastball at me?

Or does it mean 'honky' w/ respect to hi and lo balance?

 

[Meathands]

To me, "forward midrange" makes a lot of sense. The first time I plugged a vocal mic into a 512, the vocal shot to the front of the mix. Somethings about the mids in "presence" range was so tight and defined and, well, pushed forward. I don't know if I'd call it "agressive," but "forward midrange" is actually one of the few bits of audio babble that immediately made sense when I heard the gear.

 

[desol]

Fair enough. ...and agreed. Although it's a bit different on the top end on my 312's, but def like like that in the upper mids...

 

[strangeandbouncy]

Hi,


  ignore all this *forward* crap . . . subjectively, perhaps, but only relatively . . . .blah blah blah . . .

     -  something 312-ish like the Classic API is very reasonably priced, and astonishing to use. It will suit anything you ask it to do. it is simple to build, world class, and will last you a lifetime.

 end of.


    ANdyP

 

[desol]

Personally, ...i think the Drip 47 would be pretty nice with GZ34...and those big A$$ sowters.
This seems like it woud be a pretty nice channel to go through....all said and done.

I'd like to hear what it can do when pushed, and at ease..

http://dripelectronics.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=33

 

[baadc0de]

Personally, ...i think the Drip 47 would be pretty nice with GZ34...and those big A$$ sowters.
This seems like it woud be a pretty nice channel to go through....all said and done.

I'd like to hear what it can do when pushed, and at ease..

http://dripelectronics.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=33

Pushed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lj9q9kqWOo&feature=channel_video_title

Sowters, gz34s, 0a2s.. I don't recall what's in the chain, probably some La2a. The bass cut is a problem of that specific la2a at that speicifc time. Have to fix it one day.. But the aggressive mids and THD can be heard

 

[desol]

Yes, thanks for that example Baadcode. Be nice to hear on acoustic guitar, with a Neumann.

 

[baadc0de]

Before drip's forum was replaced with the newest incarnation (maybe ever 2 versions ago...) there was just that, acoustic guitar with KM. I recall it being super 3d and very very nice. Maybe someone has it backed up. Could also be a V72, memory is a bit unclear on that.

For myself, I don't have any neumanns yet and my room sucks, but you know.. I'll try to get you guys a decent take at some point.

 

[desol]

Also, Nick...you can hear examples of the ez1290 at the link in my signature. Both Sucker for punishment and Fear were done with an ez1290 through a gates sta level using a sony c38. Let down, was a 312 through a portico comp and sony c48/km84.

The guitar solo (middle) part of Let Down, is a good example of the 312 w/2622. You can hear the top end phase shift or softness...on the acoustic strumming.

 

[detonator]

Why not build Jakob's G9 preamp?

 

[Biasrocks]

Hard to beat these for simplicity, sound and cost.

http://www.jensen-transformers.com/as/as017.pdf

Mark