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Post by zonkola on Dec 5, 2020 13:28:25 GMT -6
I feel like I have my solid-state preamp bases covered with BAE, Avedis, CAPI, & Hardy units, but I have zero tube pres.
MUSIC CUE: tiny violins
So naturally I'm looking to pick up a vibey tube pre, mostly for use on my male/baritone/alternative/funk/soul vocals belted and crooned into a Heiserman H47tube or AEA R84. I'm currently obsessing over the Chandler REDD47, Coil CA-70s, & Mercury M72s.
Which would you pick and why?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2020 14:03:37 GMT -6
I went down this rabbit hole a year ago and ended up buying a pair of Coil CA-70s. I've only had a chance to record my own guitars with them so far because of the lockdown but the amount of different tones you can get with the negative feedback is pretty amazing. Since you say "funk/soul vocals belted" I think you will also like how the pre can break up when driven hard, cool color and self-compress instead of a nasty distortion. (I haven't personally used the REDD or Mercury) Our resident patron saint of tube preamps EMRR uses the original Gates circuits with amazing results. realgearonline.com/thread/11504/avett-out-today
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Post by tkaitkai on Dec 5, 2020 14:08:30 GMT -6
I'd be ecstatic to own any of them, but the Mercury has been on my list for a long time. When I have cash for a tube pre, it'll be my top pick.
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Post by aremos on Dec 5, 2020 16:20:58 GMT -6
DW Fern?
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Post by drumsound on Dec 5, 2020 17:20:06 GMT -6
I'm trying to not muddy the waters further, but I ended up with a different unit all together. Part of that had to do with a financing deal at SE last Christmas. Not that I think any of the ones you mentioned would sound even remotely bad.
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Post by the other mark williams on Dec 5, 2020 17:30:02 GMT -6
...and I'll put in a vote for the Weight Tank WT-72 as a more affordable option. But man, all the ones you listed are modern legends, as far as I'm concerned.
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Post by nathaneldred on Dec 5, 2020 17:40:55 GMT -6
I feel like I have my solid-state preamp bases covered with BAE, Avedis, CAPI, & Hardy units, but I have zero tube pres. MUSIC CUE: tiny violins So naturally I'm looking to pick up a vibey tube pre, mostly for use on my male/baritone/alternative/funk/soul vocals belted and crooned into a Heiserman H47tube or AEA R84. I'm currently obsessing over the Chandler REDD47, Coil CA-70s, & Mercury M72s. Which would you pick and why? To echo everyone else, these are all as good as it gets. And they are all good people behind the companies who treat you right. I feel Chandler is the most versatile of the three with a bit more range.
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Post by mike on Dec 5, 2020 17:51:09 GMT -6
I debated between the REDD47 and Mercury M72s for some time myself before choosing the REDD after talking with and reading info from people who had both and said things like both units had depth, that the REDD 47 was much more open, and the high end very clear whereas the Mercury M72 highs were smooth, took EQ easily and remained natural but the highs on the Mercury were more subdued and the unit a little darker and woolier overall, but not in a bad way describing both units as more complimentary to each other than being in the same lane.
After buying my Redd pre, I did find it to be 3D and it can sound big, but I was surprised to learn the REDD had a greater variety of tone options than I expected from more than the usual in/out gain staging and rumble filter, but also the 10 step fine gain options.
It would be great if you could find a way to demo some of these to know your own personal preference.
I too have wondered about the Fern aremos mentioned above hearing good things about it.
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Post by OtisGreying on Dec 5, 2020 18:32:37 GMT -6
I have the Coil 286s and 70s. I found they just had this extra detail and 3d nature that my solid state's lacked. I was considering the REDD but after hearing the Coil I didn't care to try it. 286 on my vocals is really pretty amazing to my ear, 70S is amazing as well but my voice is baritone so 286 seems to balance it more with my Flea 47. The 70s has a grit and weight to it, the low end is strong and punchy and huge without being muddy. 286 is like a sparkly euphoric sound. Just amazing detail and depth and color to both pieces. I think at some point way down the line when I have nothing better to do I'll try the REDD but definitely don't care to with the sound I'm getting. I recommend the Coil's for any and all!
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Dec 5, 2020 19:24:16 GMT -6
All mentioned will not disappoint but I’ll throw Demeter in there.
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Post by rowmat on Dec 5, 2020 19:45:33 GMT -6
I bought a Mercury Bruder about four years ago which has one channel of V72s and one channel of V76m. The V72s is thicker and smoother, and velvet (use it with a 47 and think Frank) whereas the V76m is more open and sweet. Obviously limited in stereo applications but having those two flavours especially for vocals definitely covered many situations well. vintageking.com/mercury-bruder
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 5, 2020 19:47:32 GMT -6
bluegrassdan’s pres look pretty awesome...and his demos speak for themselves.
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 5, 2020 19:48:38 GMT -6
I bought a Mercury Bruder about four years ago which has one channel of V72s and one channel of V76m. The V72s is thicker and smoother, and velvet (use it with a 47 and think Frank) whereas the V76m is more open and sweet. Obviously limited in stereo applications but having those two flavours especially for vocals definitely covered many situations well. Yeah I thought the REDD was more 76 (brighter) than a 72
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Post by nick8801 on Dec 5, 2020 19:56:42 GMT -6
I’ll throw in the Useful Arts pre as well. Not sure what it’s based on, but I love mine!
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Post by jsteiger on Dec 5, 2020 20:05:40 GMT -6
I really don't like the Coil Audio guys but I would say buy their stuff its amazing. </sarcasm>
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Post by shoe on Dec 5, 2020 20:06:12 GMT -6
I am a big REDD.47 fan, myself. They're really nice sounding pres that are good at being flattering and forgiving without being dark and lo fi sounsing. I love them for vocals, guitars and bass and also will sometimes run mixes through them for togetherness, etc.
They are quite low headroom for line level, though, so you'll probably want to pad down the inpout signal and engage the rumble filter if you do that.
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Post by Ward on Dec 5, 2020 20:20:48 GMT -6
I feel like I have my solid-state preamp bases covered with BAE, Avedis, CAPI, & Hardy units, but I have zero tube pres. MUSIC CUE: tiny violins So naturally I'm looking to pick up a vibey tube pre, mostly for use on my male/baritone/alternative/funk/soul vocals belted and crooned into a Heiserman H47tube or AEA R84. I'm currently obsessing over the Chandler REDD47, Coil CA-70s, & Mercury M72s. Which would you pick and why? Everyone makes typos. somehow you misspelled Locomotive Audio Weight Tank WT72
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 5, 2020 20:22:08 GMT -6
I should put a disclaimer on my posts...other than a couple times with a 76 and 72, I don’t have a ton of time on any tube pres. I’ve demoed a few different ones and ultimately came to the conclusion I liked SS better.
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Post by zonkola on Dec 5, 2020 22:20:17 GMT -6
I really don't like the Coil Audio guys but I would say buy their stuff its amazing. </sarcasm> haha Yeah, you archenemies sure do compliment each other's work an awful lot. BTW, I would have responded sooner but I was literally finishing up two custom VP312s. Attachment Deleted
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Dec 5, 2020 22:30:16 GMT -6
I should put a disclaimer on my posts...other than a couple times with a 76 and 72, I don’t have a ton of time on any tube pres. I’ve demoed a few different ones and ultimately came to the conclusion I liked SS better. After witnessing your quest over the years and stood in the room as you sang, I totally get this! Besides with your mics it’s hard to go wrong!
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Post by zonkola on Dec 5, 2020 22:30:43 GMT -6
I did consider Fern, but I don't have enough space left in the rack to burn 3RU+1RU ventilation for one channel, and the two channel unit is more than I want to spend.
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Post by drbill on Dec 6, 2020 11:03:41 GMT -6
I feel like I have my solid-state preamp bases covered with BAE, Avedis, CAPI, & Hardy units, but I have zero tube pres. MUSIC CUE: tiny violins So naturally I'm looking to pick up a vibey tube pre, mostly for use on my male/baritone/alternative/funk/soul vocals belted and crooned into a Heiserman H47tube or AEA R84. I'm currently obsessing over the Chandler REDD47, Coil CA-70s, & Mercury M72s. Which would you pick and why? Everyone makes typos. somehow you misspelled Locomotive Audio Weight Tank WT72 Ha!! This is definitely an option that would be at or near the top of my list. More elegant than the Coil CA70's that I have and not as "aggressive" (not sure if that's the right word or sentiment....) than the Locomotive 286a's that I have. Out of all those 3 tube pre's, for vocals, the WT probably gets pulled into duty as much or more than the other 2 put together. Amazing pre, and amazing price.
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Post by Ward on Dec 6, 2020 11:13:38 GMT -6
Ha!! This is definitely an option that would be at or near the top of my list. More elegant than the Coil CA70's that I have and not as "aggressive" (not sure if that's the right word or sentiment....) than the Locomotive 286a's that I have. Out of all those 3 tube pre's, for vocals, the WT probably gets pulled into duty as much or more than the other 2 put together. Amazing pre, and amazing price. I'm just getting into mine. I'm always slow bringing new gear into the mix. I get it, and sit on it for a month sometimes before I even put it in a rack or the mic locker. Then once hooked up, maybe run something through it . . . listen back and go back to the regular gear before going at it again, and rinse, repeat . . . But the more I test out the WT72, the more I am truly astonished by its gentle classic smoothness and weight. Like a wind behind your back. Eric Locomotive Audio has really captured the sound of a 72 but cleaned it up, in the most sensible possible way. It is honestly in my top-10 buys of 2020. And it's all your fault, drbill
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Post by EmRR on Dec 6, 2020 11:13:41 GMT -6
I have more channels of vintage tube preamps than makes any sense, like 40+ kinds. The Coil CA-70 is the only one in the OP’s list that would match my taste. A lot of the vaunted later era tube stuff (post-1955?) I came around to thinking “why not just use SS?” Much of it lacks the vibe tubes are capable of, but keeps the part that’s troublesome. A lot of early SS does vibe ‘better’ without those problems.
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Post by drbill on Dec 6, 2020 14:45:50 GMT -6
It is honestly in my top-10 buys of 2020. And it's all your fault, drbill <sigh>.... What is is new.......
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