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Post by EmRR on Mar 10, 2020 12:22:45 GMT -6
Goldmike is not a tube preamp. It does have tubes but the amplification is not tube. ok i dont know all the technicalities, but i did read in description" The Gold Mike MKII sports the selection of three different tube pre-amplifications: +6 dB remains the standard complemented by +12 dB and +18 dB" what am i missing? Reads as if it's a class A SS preamp with a tube color section, likely a lower voltage tube stage for max coloration. Totally different beast.
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Post by EmRR on Mar 10, 2020 12:27:09 GMT -6
If the Retro 500 pre is anything like the preamp in my Retro Powerstrips it must be pretty awesome. The 500 appears to be a push-pull circuit, so it cancels 2nd harmonic, mainly a 3rd harmonic profile in that case. The Powerstrip is most certainly a single ended circuit, mainly a 2nd harmonic profile. I don't know the circuit, but I'd be more inclined to think of the 500 as being like a McCurdy AU300 (or Altec 458 or 459, or Langevin AM-5116B or.....) than a Stalevel, but hey, both are push-pull. One has power tubes, one doesn't.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2020 17:38:32 GMT -6
ok i dont know all the technicalities, but i did read in description" The Gold Mike MKII sports the selection of three different tube pre-amplifications: +6 dB remains the standard complemented by +12 dB and +18 dB" what am i missing? Reads as if it's a class A SS preamp with a tube color section, likely a lower voltage tube stage for max coloration. Totally different beast. oh i see, thanks for the clarification so its basically a SS hybrid with tube coloration.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2020 17:39:47 GMT -6
If the Retro 500 pre is anything like the preamp in my Retro Powerstrips it must be pretty awesome. I've had a lot of gear come and go, but the Powerstrips have been my constant go and have outlasted other gear. I started with one, then sold it so I could get a matched pair. Almost makes me want to add the 500 pre as an addition. i have heard some shootouts online of the retro powerstrips and i really liked it. just couldnt myself spending tons to get another pre, this 500 maybe close to that sound... also got eyes on ez1081
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Post by msamper on May 26, 2020 12:42:38 GMT -6
I just have recieved a new Retro 500 Pre after testing another one a few weeks ago. I openend it up, just because of interest and it seems that the tube anodes do not run on high voltage. There is no HV converter inside the unit but it does draw a few mA from the +48V rail even with phantom power disenagaged.
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Post by EmRR on May 26, 2020 13:26:04 GMT -6
I just have recieved a new Retro 500 Pre after testing another one a few weeks ago. I openend it up, just because of interest and it seems that the tube anodes do not run on high voltage. There is no HV converter inside the unit but it does draw a few mA from the +48V rail even with phantom power disenagaged. Can you measure voltages and/or current?
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Post by javamad on May 27, 2020 9:06:50 GMT -6
Specs here: Retro 500 Pre SpecsOn power consumption is only says this: Power Consumption: +/-16 Volts 155 ma. 48 Volts 3 ma. So does this mean that those tubes would not be running that hot then?
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Post by msamper on May 27, 2020 10:09:34 GMT -6
I took everything apart.
Tubes are 3x ECC81, all heaters wired in series. There is a IRF510 mosfet on the pcb for limiting the inrush current I guess.
When you turn the unit on it takes 3-4 seconds to get up to around 200mA on each rail and it settles to spot on 160mA after a few seconds.
Anode voltages are around 13 - 20V. There is also a NE5532 on the main pcb but thats it.
Input TX is a Cinemag CMMI 10BPC, output TX a CMOQ-2S
I have measured the distortion of the unit. It stays clean a long way but when you push the input odd harmonics are way more present than even ones.
I can't really hear / feel the compression that is talked about in the manual. For me the distortion is way more present than any compression effects.
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Post by EmRR on May 27, 2020 13:33:25 GMT -6
I took everything apart.
Tubes are 3x ECC81, all heaters wired in series. There is a IRF510 mosfet on the pcb for limiting the inrush current I guess.
When you turn the unit on it takes 3-4 seconds to get up to around 200mA on each rail and it settles to spot on 160mA after a few seconds.
Anode voltages are around 13 - 20V. There is also a NE5532 on the main pcb but thats it.
Input TX is a Cinemag CMMI 10BPC, output TX a CMOQ-2S
I have measured the distortion of the unit. It stays clean a long way but when you push the input odd harmonics are way more present than even ones.
I can't really hear / feel the compression that is talked about in the manual. For me the distortion is way more present than any compression effects.
Good stuff. Even further from Sta-Level than anyone thought, I guess really meaning three push-pull stages. Heaters wired 6V or 12V series? Meaning 18V or 36V string? CMOQ-2S and a 5532; surely then it's opamp output since that's a 1:1 output transformer. Yeah, if the tube part is all PP as implied, 2nd harmonics cancel, then predominately 3rd left. The tubes should last forever, unless the filaments burn out.
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Post by msamper on May 27, 2020 13:56:43 GMT -6
Haven't checked in detail but I think 3x12V heaters in series across +-16V rails. Otherwise the current draw wouldn't be more or less exactly 160mA on both rails.
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Post by notneeson on May 27, 2020 14:05:02 GMT -6
So does it sound Retro or Meh'tro?
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Post by msamper on May 27, 2020 14:07:42 GMT -6
So does it sound Retro or Meh'tro?
It sounds great. I love the kind of distortion it creates when pushed hard. Other than that there is nothing special about it.
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Post by rockinrobin on Oct 5, 2021 5:20:46 GMT -6
Anyone can give some more reviews of the 500PRE? Looking for a great vocal pre, and debating if I should go Neve route for the lowend beef, or Tube route. This looks like a great contender
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Post by bricejchandler on Oct 5, 2021 7:04:44 GMT -6
Anyone can give some more reviews of the 500PRE? Looking for a great vocal pre, and debating if I should go Neve route for the lowend beef, or Tube route. This looks like a great contender I tried it and thought it sounded good but was a bit disappointed as I was hoping for a 500 version of the Powerstrip preamp and it doesn't sound anything like it. The Powerstrip has a really interesting open sound that is wonderful for vocals. The Retro500 is probably more tubey sounding though. I didn't feel like it was a must have. If you're looking for a heavy tube sound, the Coils are hard to beat. They're a bit dark on vocals ( with my mics ) but they take eq really well. They have a natural compression that just makes everything sound very natural and they give a great sense of depth. The Neve sound is great on vocals, it's just a really familiar sound. These days I've been using the BAE 1073mp when that vibe is needed though I've been leaning on the Coils for 90% of the work I do and go to the BAE when I want something punchier, more in your face that sits on top of the mix.
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Post by arichlsss on Dec 19, 2021 16:11:55 GMT -6
This pre is magical on vocals with an sm7. Ive got a lot of nice condenser mics and it’s not crazy difrent from other nice pre’s on those but man does it wake up an sm7 in to an almost high end condenser type sound.
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