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Post by drbill on Mar 20, 2018 13:39:40 GMT -6
Hey Guys - I need a new monitor controller. I've been using the Tascam DS-M7.1 for years and have repaired it several times. Recently, it's started acting up again and it's on it's way out.  So....at this stage, I'm not going to put any more money into it. Upon comparison in a pretty critical listening session, the AVID 16X16 sounds significantly better to me. So.... It's time for a new monitor controller. (Bumming me out because I had the $$ allocated for some more "sexy" gear...) The next decision is - analog or digital. I'm leaning towards a digital playback even though my AVID HD DAC's sound really good to me. I'd like a mastering grade solution. I'm on the fence between the Avocet II and Grace M905 Digital. From those in the know, it seems that sonically the Avocet and Grace stand shoulder to shoulder. I'm, leaning towards the Grace even though it's a few hundred more... It's forward thinking, very slick and aside from a preference for ONE more set of analog inputs - it's pretty sweet. Plus I like how the angle on the remote can be adjusted. Comparatively speaking, the Avocet remote seems kind of kludgy and 20 years outdated when compared to the Grace remote. Oh, and yeah, I need a remote. Not groups of wires clogging up valuable workspace. A couple of other potential contender are/were : The new Heritage system 5000 which is wireless - but so new there are virtually no reviews or data on them. The Dangerous Monitor ST, but generally I'm not wowed about the Dangerous "sound" and especially not digging the Disneyland style look of it. For those of you using high end controllers with DAC's, what are you digging these days? |
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Post by Blackdawg on Mar 20, 2018 15:07:38 GMT -6
I LOVE Grace stuff. Mike is a stellar guy and his gear is top top notch. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to run his controller. The facility I am at now uses a DADmon AX32 setup. Mostly because it speaks Econ and can be controlled via the s6. I like it and think it sounds great. Plus lots and lots and lots of I/O config options. Im running PTHD into for 9.1 and Pyramix for 9.1 and my mac via Dante. It's also my talk back controller. They have new one that is released by Avid now called the Avid Matrix: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MTRX16x16--avid-mtrx-16x16-analog-interface |
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Post by adamjbrass on Mar 20, 2018 15:23:41 GMT -6
currently salivating over the Grace. In Black. Whenever i get around to it, Im launching my Dbox.
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Post by matt on Mar 20, 2018 16:36:06 GMT -6
Hey Guys - I need a new monitor controller. The Dangerous Monitor ST, but generally I'm not wowed about the Dangerous "sound" and especially not digging the Disneyland style look of it. For those of you using high end controllers with DAC's, what are you digging these days? Bill, I've had a Monitor ST for several years and it's been reliable; the gaudy color scheme has actually grown on me over time. However, I am looking at the M905 Digital as well because -if I understand it's signal path correctly- Grace has added a switchable option to the "digital through" output to turn it into an output for speaker #1. This way I could stay digital into my PMC twotwo 8s and eliminate one D/A/D conversion. But -and it's a big one- I've grown fond of the ST's 57hz sub roll-off feature. The PMCs just sound so good with the mains set to FR and the sub2 crossed at 57, which is something the sub2 can't do (50/80/120 are the options for roll-off). It's a small but important thing and makes a big difference in the presentation of low end in my barely-treated room. But if I were buying new, it would be easy: M905, absolutely. |
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Post by drbill on Mar 20, 2018 16:36:30 GMT -6
currently salivating over the Grace. In Black. Whenever i get around to it, Im launching my Dbox. You don't like the Dangerous? Any reasons in particular? And yeah, the Grace in Black is pretty bada**. |
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Post by drbill on Mar 20, 2018 16:44:15 GMT -6
Hey Guys - I need a new monitor controller. The Dangerous Monitor ST, but generally I'm not wowed about the Dangerous "sound" and especially not digging the Disneyland style look of it. For those of you using high end controllers with DAC's, what are you digging these days? Bill, I've had a Monitor ST for several years and it's been reliable; the gaudy color scheme has actually grown on me over time. However, I am looking at the M905 Digital as well because -if I understand it's signal path correctly- Grace has added a switchable option to the "digital through" output to turn it into an output for speaker #1. This way I could stay digital into my PMC twotwo 8s and eliminate one D/A/D conversion. But -and it's a big one- I've grown fond of the ST's 57hz sub roll-off feature. The PMCs just sound so good with the mains set to FR and the sub2 crossed at 57, which is something the sub2 can't do (50/80/120 are the options for roll-off). It's a small but important thing and makes a big difference in the presentation of low end in my barely-treated room. But if I were buying new, it would be easy: M905, absolutely. Thanks for the overview Matt! You know, in regards to the Monitor ST, my wife told me...."why don't you like it? It kind of looks like your Silver Bullets". LOL GAG. I suppose in some weird way, I get it, but I don't get it. Funny she would say that - and funny that I didn't appreciate it.  At this point, I'm not running my subs, but maybe in the future. I'll have to dig into the 905 and check out their implementation. And I believe you are right about dig control / output to your speakers. I recall hearing that in one of their video's, but I can't put my finger on the specs right at this moment. Another interesting aspect is that it can play DSD files back. Cheers, bp |
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Post by drbill on Mar 20, 2018 17:24:46 GMT -6
Hey Guys - I need a new monitor controller. The Dangerous Monitor ST, but generally I'm not wowed about the Dangerous "sound" and especially not digging the Disneyland style look of it. For those of you using high end controllers with DAC's, what are you digging these days? if I understand it's signal path correctly- Grace has added a switchable option to the "digital through" output to turn it into an output for speaker #1. This way I could stay digital. Matt - FYI while perusing their manual I found this : Attachments:
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Post by Quint on Mar 20, 2018 17:34:54 GMT -6
If you decide to go the analog route, the Drawmer MC2.1 is pretty nice. It has just the right amount of i/o and control, for me anyway, and it's really transparent. There's also their new MC3.1 with more features, though I haven't tried it.
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Post by drbill on Mar 20, 2018 17:47:24 GMT -6
If you decide to go the analog route, the Drawmer MC2.1 is pretty nice. It has just the right amount of i/o and control, for me anyway, and it's really transparent. There's also their new MC3.1 with more features, though I haven't tried it. Hi Quint - thanks. Since I like the HD DAC's a lot, I considered those, and honestly, if they had a remote for desktop, they would be contenders. But I don't want a bunch of wire converging on my desk, and I don't want to have to move to a rack to be able to control things. So...I think they are a no go for me. I've heard good things about both though. |
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Post by michaelcleary on Mar 20, 2018 18:04:22 GMT -6
If you decide to go the analog route, the Drawmer MC2.1 is pretty nice. It has just the right amount of i/o and control, for me anyway, and it's really transparent. There's also their new MC3.1 with more features, though I haven't tried it. MC2.1 here as well. I love it and it is a lot of bang for the buck. |
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Post by jeremygillespie on Mar 20, 2018 21:39:40 GMT -6
We’ve got the Grace in our B room and it’s fantastic.
1 downside. The displays for mains and headphone volume levels has burnt out over the years and you can’t really tell what number you’re at anymore. Not a huge deal, just kind of annoying.
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Post by jin167 on Mar 21, 2018 0:34:54 GMT -6
using full version m905. Fantastic unit. It gets compared to avocet quiet often but in my opinion, functionality wise, they are not even close. m905 will slaughter avocet. Sound quality? some people like apple some people like orange.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2018 2:21:25 GMT -6
Crookwood here since 2011, love it.
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Post by mrholmes on Mar 21, 2018 3:18:24 GMT -6
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Post by reddirt on Mar 21, 2018 3:28:43 GMT -6
Or get someone really good to build to your exact requirements ; Rob Squire Pro- Harmonic in Adelaide (Sth Australia ) built mine- not digital though; maybe Jim Williams in the States?.
Cheers, Ross
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Post by adamjbrass on Mar 21, 2018 5:15:30 GMT -6
currently salivating over the Grace. In Black. Whenever i get around to it, Im launching my Dbox. You don't like the Dangerous? Any reasons in particular? And yeah, the Grace in Black is pretty bada**. I just want the best, which this DBox is not. |
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Post by thesoundmotel on Mar 21, 2018 6:07:28 GMT -6
Avocet
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,940 
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Post by ericn on Mar 21, 2018 6:59:16 GMT -6
Feature wise love my Martinsound, but I really need to see what Jim Williams can get out of it sonically!
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Post by jimwilliams on Mar 21, 2018 11:09:57 GMT -6
Soundcraft Delta monitor section. It has re-biased transistors and great opamps. The resistors are either Vishay S-102's or Dale CMF/PTF types. The coupling caps are also gone.
I also use a custom job built with LME49713 CFA's, also direct coupled with DC offset trimpots. That is 2kv/us slew rate and very low THD+noise. It's fed BurrBrown and ESS DAC's.
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Post by drbill on Mar 21, 2018 11:19:04 GMT -6
Well....after a lot of reading and research, there seems to be really only one logical choice for the needs stated above :
The Grace 905 Digital it is.
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Post by mcirish on Mar 21, 2018 11:33:05 GMT -6
I've got the Dangerous Monitor ST. I bought mine used and it needed a little work but the unit is great. Transparent. The only gripe I have with it is the main volume knob is slippery. also wish that talkback would dim the cue as well as the control room but it really isn't that big of an issue. I'd buy it again.
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Mar 21, 2018 13:13:23 GMT -6
Well....after a lot of reading and research, there seems to be really only one logical choice for the needs stated above : The Grace 905 Digital it is. Can’t go wrong with Grace! But I’m shocked we won’t see a DRBILL LOUDER THAN LIFTOFF mmonitor controller! |
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Post by matt on Mar 21, 2018 13:14:38 GMT -6
Well....after a lot of reading and research, there seems to be really only one logical choice for the needs stated above : The Grace 905 Digital it is. Bill, please give a full report on this fine piece when you get a chance. Make me want one! |
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Post by drbill on Mar 21, 2018 13:55:56 GMT -6
Well....after a lot of reading and research, there seems to be really only one logical choice for the needs stated above : The Grace 905 Digital it is. Can’t go wrong with Grace! But I’m shocked we won’t see a DRBILL LOUDER THAN LIFTOFF mmonitor controller! Never say never, but.... Certainly not by next week..... And I need one then, not a year or two from now. LOL |
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Post by drbill on Mar 21, 2018 13:57:08 GMT -6
Well....after a lot of reading and research, there seems to be really only one logical choice for the needs stated above : The Grace 905 Digital it is. Bill, please give a full report on this fine piece when you get a chance. Make me want one! Hahaaaa! OK. Will do, although I hate to contribute to gear-slut-ism..... |
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So....at this stage, I'm not going to put any more money into it. Upon comparison in a pretty critical listening session, the AVID 16X16 sounds significantly better to me. So....
