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Post by EmRR on Apr 21, 2020 8:00:13 GMT -6
Boulder was the first manufacturer of what Hardy has built for decades. Some physical differences in the construction, and an older version of the transformers.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2020 8:21:32 GMT -6
The fallen from favor and out of production Sytek still fits the bill. Probably the most in this camp of what I have. Was going to suggest this. I had 8-channels for a while. I sold them because I just don't need a lot of preamps and my buddy has 2 4-channel boxes in a mobile rack that I can borrow at any time... anyways, they are really good. 5-600 dollars for 4-channels used is insane for these. They hold their own against any other thing I've used. Wide open representation of whatever you're feeding it. I used them almost exclusively on a lot of mobile projects and have no complaints. Both my units had the standard op-amps, so I can't speak to the BB option. I would also suggest Hairball Lola with the 990 DOAs if you're into DIY stuff. I love mine.
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Post by Omicron9 on Apr 21, 2020 8:27:58 GMT -6
The fallen from favor and out of production Sytek still fits the bill. Probably the most in this camp of what I have. Not fallen from favor here! -09
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Post by EmRR on Apr 21, 2020 9:12:01 GMT -6
The fallen from favor and out of production Sytek still fits the bill. Probably the most in this camp of what I have. Was going to suggest this. I had 8-channels for a while. I sold them because I just don't need a lot of preamps and my buddy has 2 4-channel boxes in a mobile rack that I can borrow at any time... anyways, they are really good. Yeah the closest to a complaint I could have would be “well, that’s what it actually sounds like”.
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Post by winetree on Apr 21, 2020 9:16:15 GMT -6
Anyone here used the Boulder's? (Jensen) Considered by many to be the "ultimate". Clean and detailed, but not sterile by any means. The Boulder preamps were some of the very first external preamps I bought. A good description.
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Post by delcampo on Apr 21, 2020 9:33:33 GMT -6
Seems like I say this quite a bit cuz few others do but, If we're talking clean & high gain.. the Integer RMP2 brought a eye opening amount of increased usefulness not only to my ribbons but, dynamics as well.
Opened them up in a way I like. All of a sudden I reach for a dynamic way more often for a voc if their vibe is right, and never get concerned about noise if the voc is on the softer side. Love to follow them up with tube comp or eq etc. + comparitively affordable.
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Post by damoongo on Apr 21, 2020 9:34:04 GMT -6
Hardy M1s (with or without Jensen output xformer) are clean and detailed, but still strong sounding. Millennia HV-3 series to my ear add harmonics (distortion?!) that make the highs sound brilliant and exciting. Because of this, people think they sound crystal clear and open, but I think it’s a trick. I do like them for sparkly acoustic steel stringed instruments though. But the Hardy’s sound more solid while still being clear. (Hell of a guy too, John Hardy.)
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Post by EmRR on Apr 21, 2020 9:54:25 GMT -6
Seems like I say this quite a bit cuz few others do but, If we're talking clean & high gain.. the Integer RMP2 brought a eye opening amount of increased usefulness not only to my ribbons but, dynamics as well. Opened them up in a way I like. All of a sudden I reach for a dynamic way more often for a voc if their vibe is right, and never get concerned about noise if the voc is on the softer side. Love to follow them up with tube comp or eq etc. + comparitively affordable. Was trying to remember the name of that one.
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Post by WKG on Apr 21, 2020 11:35:21 GMT -6
The fallen from favor and out of production Sytek still fits the bill. Probably the most in this camp of what I have. +1 on Sytek here too. Too bad they went out of production.
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Post by chessparov on Apr 21, 2020 12:17:43 GMT -6
I love the NPNG--clean, fast, and big. Also, the AEA RPQ is a very clean pre with useful eq as a bonus. And John Hardy--the first "clean" pre I added to my rack and it still gets a lot of use. You can't go too far wrong with any of these. AEA RPQ designed by Forsell. IIRC TRP too. Chris
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Post by plinker on Apr 21, 2020 12:52:20 GMT -6
The fallen from favor and out of production Sytek still fits the bill. Probably the most in this camp of what I have. +1 on Sytek here too. Too bad they went out of production.
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Post by Guitar on Apr 21, 2020 13:06:01 GMT -6
When I had the Sytek I always seemed to prefer the NE5532 channels (1 and 2) to the Burr Brown op amp channels (3 and 4). He told me you can stick some NE op amps in the BB sockets to change them if you want to, no problems there. The other way around though could require some tinkering, biasing or something.
Now I use the Yamaha MLA-8 which are the same preamps from the DM2000 consoles. I wouldn't really call them "Clean and Detailed" but I do think about them as being quite neutral. They are also dirt cheap, which is part of the appeal to me. They serve as my drum channels, 10 channels in use currently. Might go up to 12 channels soon.
The THAT preamps always just sounded a tiny bit blunted or dulled to me, but I kind of liked them. I personally owned the SCA T15 versions of these for a while. I actually liked them better than the C84 channel which was supposedly "similar to a Millennia." The C84 I had were breaking down all the time. Even the factory made one, it was a bummer. I miss the N72 the most from SCA. I don't currently own any 1072 or 1073 style preamps, it's sort of a hole in the arsenal.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Apr 21, 2020 13:24:12 GMT -6
Boulder was the first manufacturer of what Hardy has built for decades. Some physical differences in the construction, and an older version of the transformers. The Boulder is the equivalent to the Hardy Twin Servo, not to be confused with the M1. Both are excellent clean with some personality. I’ll take either, some color. The thing with the Hardy’s and the Sytek as well is they are just as useful for classical and pop. Just enough clean and just the right touch of useable color.
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Post by Guitar on Apr 21, 2020 15:05:46 GMT -6
Boulder was the first manufacturer of what Hardy has built for decades. Some physical differences in the construction, and an older version of the transformers. The Boulder is the equivalent to the Hardy Twin Servo, not to be confused with the M1. Both are excellent clean with some personality. I’ll take either, some color. The thing with the Hardy’s and the Sytek as well is they are just as useful for classical and pop. Just enough clean and just the right touch of useable color. I always thought that, too, about the Sytek. Just a hint of color. I haven't used a Hardy yet! But if I have some EIP money coming I am most likely to fast forward some long delayed DIY builds.
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Post by drbill on Apr 21, 2020 15:10:00 GMT -6
Anyone here used the Boulder's? (Jensen) Considered by many to be the "ultimate". Clean and detailed, but not sterile by any means. The Boulder preamps were some of the very first external preamps I bought. A good description. Sweet! Nice to see em hanging with your WT72's!! No doubt a killer combo. The WT's being not "clean and detailed", but Euphonic and Warm. For lack of better descriptors..... I have a chance to buy a full rack of Boulders for 4k+, but I think I'm actually pretty covered mic pre wise right now.
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Post by geoff738 on Apr 21, 2020 16:27:35 GMT -6
+1 on Sytek here too. Too bad they went out of production.
The page has a 2018 copyright, so? Who knows. Considerably more expensive than the now out of production units. I think I paid $8 or 900 I’m guessing late 90s? Cheers, Geoff
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Post by EmRR on Apr 21, 2020 16:37:58 GMT -6
+1 on Sytek here too. Too bad they went out of production.
That’s been up for years. He retired, they’ve been gone 2 years.
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Post by sean on Apr 21, 2020 17:51:22 GMT -6
I like my AEA RPQ a lot, I think the shelf EQs and hi-pass filter is really useful. I also have a John Hardy M1 with output transformers and a GML 8304 and they get used every day. I think if the added features are useful to you, check out the AEA.
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Post by jampa on Apr 21, 2020 20:15:34 GMT -6
Here are some audios NPNG/Pueblo Audio/Metric Halo ULN-8/Gordon scroll halfway down for the audio files, and scroll to the bottom for the "What is what file" if you don't want to listen blindly www.pilgrimstudio.ch/comparisons.php
I'd really like to hear that one. Ah nuts. It came from a thread on the purple place "gordon vs. pueblo" - could be on there somewhere
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Post by Guitar on Apr 21, 2020 21:50:42 GMT -6
I was thinking of an Expat Eden stereo mic pre DIY with battery power and no phantom, mechanical switches for pad and polarity. This would be really cool to use with my MixPre 6 with the Aux inputs. Or at home with ribbon and dynamic mics. Thanks for pointing that out EmRRI love planning these little projects that eventually might get done.
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Post by Ward on Apr 22, 2020 10:40:14 GMT -6
I like my AEA RPQ a lot, I think the shelf EQs and hi-pass filter is really useful. I also have a John Hardy M1 with output transformers and a GML 8304 and they get used every day. I think if the added features are useful to you, check out the AEA. I've been looking for a used one for some time... so if anyone is selling his/hers, please let me know!
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Post by ragan on Apr 30, 2020 11:14:51 GMT -6
The IAA 4 channel QPP is something I'd consider here. Can be as clean as you'd like and just really nice sounding.
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Post by chessparov on Apr 30, 2020 15:40:40 GMT -6
The Boulder preamps were some of the very first external preamps I bought. A good description. Sweet! Nice to see em hanging with your WT72's!! No doubt a killer combo. The WT's being not "clean and detailed", but Euphonic and Warm. For lack of better descriptors..... I have a chance to buy a full rack of Boulders for 4k+, but I think I'm actually pretty covered mic pre wise right now. "pretty covered" is a good Tombstone epitath for all us fellow gearnuts! (also "famous last words"!) Chris
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ericn
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Post by ericn on May 1, 2020 9:49:40 GMT -6
Sweet! Nice to see em hanging with your WT72's!! No doubt a killer combo. The WT's being not "clean and detailed", but Euphonic and Warm. For lack of better descriptors..... I have a chance to buy a full rack of Boulders for 4k+, but I think I'm actually pretty covered mic pre wise right now. "pretty covered" is a good Tombstone epitath for all us fellow gearnuts! (also "famous last words"!) Chris Only if you add “but I still need.....”
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Post by trubshaw on Jun 17, 2020 13:47:36 GMT -6
Got the new Grace 201 mk2. Really great sounding clean mic pre. Brought the best out of my old TLM170 and u67 reissue. Very detailed and present sound. Very happy with it.
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