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Post by lpedrum on Oct 15, 2014 10:46:55 GMT -6
A while back the online consensus was that for a Neve-like 500 pre the Avedis MA-5 was tops in it's class. I'm curious if RGO members still share that opinion. I currently have Phoenix, Daking, and CAPI 500 pres and like them all. But I'm wondering if the MA-5 would upgrade my vocal chain. Any opinions?
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Post by jcoutu1 on Oct 15, 2014 10:55:52 GMT -6
Go back and look at some MA-5 threads. Tony Belmont and Cheu DOMINATE them. Every single thread about Neve style pres, you'll see at least one of those two talking them up.
Personally, it got me thinking that the majority of the love was just based on those two "users". I'd still like to take one for a spin, but it made me a bit cautious.
How do you like the Phoenix? They're supposed to have a bit of that N weight to them right?
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Post by Johnkenn on Oct 15, 2014 11:13:57 GMT -6
I never had many Neve clones at the same time...but I would love to compare the MA5 to some of them. I owned the MA5 for a while and while it was really good, I felt like it had that laser beam mid thing some Neves have. A bit prominent in the upper mids. Now, that could have had more to do with whatever mic I was using at the time...can't even remember. Anyway, it's still a great option, but there are certainly equal counterparts to it. I tried the Neve LB for a day and was really surprised at how good that thing sounded...wouldn't be scared to use that at all.
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Post by svart on Oct 15, 2014 13:24:12 GMT -6
Having used a few of the "golden era" neve modules and auditioning a few clones/remakes, each and every one has some difference between them.
The vintage stuff was pretty varied from piece to piece and no two sounded exactly alike. Everything from the 60-70 era had pretty loose tolerances. Even recapping and repairing old modules can make them sound different, so even buying a vintage module doesn't guarantee anything.
I wouldn't get too wound up trying to find an exact duplicate tone, but just something that vibes like the old neves did.
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Post by lpedrum on Oct 15, 2014 13:38:45 GMT -6
I really love the Phoenix--have two of them and they're a little beefier and bigger sounding than either the Daking or CAPI. But its the only Neve derivative pre I have so I'm not sure how it compares. My gut tells me that the MA5 might be a little different but not better. But I was just curious to hear if anyone here held the opinion that its the best. You could be right that the MA5 was just getting a lot of spin from dealers. Hairball now makes a Neve pre kit too, so maybe I'll try that too. Meanwhile my Crane Song Falcon comp arrived today, so I'm eager to give that a spin!
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Post by jcoutu1 on Oct 15, 2014 13:45:40 GMT -6
I really love the Phoenix--have two of them and they're a little beefier and bigger sounding than either the Daking or CAPI. But its the only Neve derivative pre I have so I'm not sure how it compares. My gut tells me that the MA5 might be a little different but not better. But I was just curious to hear if anyone here held the opinion that its the best. You could be right that the MA5 was just getting a lot of spin from dealers. Hairball now makes a Neve pre kit too, so maybe I'll try that too. Meanwhile my Crane Song Falcon comp arrived today, so I'm eager to give that a spin! I'm interested in the Phoenix gear. I've had my eyes peeled for a smoking deal. I just tried to grab a Cranesong STC-8 the other day too, but the auction shot through the roof. |
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Post by RicFoxx on Oct 15, 2014 13:47:58 GMT -6
I really love the Phoenix--have two of them and they're a little beefier and bigger sounding than either the Daking or CAPI. But its the only Neve derivative pre I have so I'm not sure how it compares. My gut tells me that the MA5 might be a little different but not better. But I was just curious to hear if anyone here held the opinion that its the best. You could be right that the MA5 was just getting a lot of spin from dealers. Hairball now makes a Neve pre kit too, so maybe I'll try that too. Meanwhile my Crane Song Falcon comp arrived today, so I'm eager to give that a spin! Ive had people I trust tell me that the Phoenix is a killer pre! Been looking at one. |
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 15, 2014 15:20:06 GMT -6
I really love the Phoenix--have two of them and they're a little beefier and bigger sounding than either the Daking or CAPI. But its the only Neve derivative pre I have so I'm not sure how it compares. My gut tells me that the MA5 might be a little different but not better. But I was just curious to hear if anyone here held the opinion that its the best. You could be right that the MA5 was just getting a lot of spin from dealers. Hairball now makes a Neve pre kit too, so maybe I'll try that too. Meanwhile my Crane Song Falcon comp arrived today, so I'm eager to give that a spin! That Lola's been calling my name for a year now, have u heard hat yet? Differential input to output, 990 based, should sound huge? |
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Post by mdmitch2 on Oct 15, 2014 15:39:42 GMT -6
Lola's do sound huge and detailed and smooth.... but I picked my SCA N72 on the last vocalist I recorded. It just had a more finished sound, although less detail than the Lola. I'm really interested in trying the neve style opamp in the lola.... sound samples on hairballs site sound great.
What I really want to know is whether anyone has tried the SCA N72 against 500 series neve style pre's. If there was something comparable, I might sell my SCA rack, and build another CAPI 500 rack.
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 15, 2014 15:54:13 GMT -6
Lola's do sound huge and detailed and smooth.... but I picked my SCA N72 on the last vocalist I recorded. It just had a more finished sound, although less detail than the Lola. I'm really interested in trying the neve style opamp in the lola.... sound samples on hairballs site sound great. What I really want to know is whether anyone has tried the SCA N72 against 500 series neve style pre's. If there was something comparable, I might sell my SCA rack, and build another CAPI 500 rack. I had sca n72's, didn't get me too excited, I'm partial to API though(btw, no opamps in neve stuff), I hear the dons classics NV73 is really close? |
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Post by mdmitch2 on Oct 15, 2014 16:28:14 GMT -6
Lola's do sound huge and detailed and smooth.... but I picked my SCA N72 on the last vocalist I recorded. It just had a more finished sound, although less detail than the Lola. I'm really interested in trying the neve style opamp in the lola.... sound samples on hairballs site sound great. What I really want to know is whether anyone has tried the SCA N72 against 500 series neve style pre's. If there was something comparable, I might sell my SCA rack, and build another CAPI 500 rack. I had sca n72's, didn't get me too excited, I'm partial to API though(btw, no opamps in neve stuff), I hear the dons classics NV73 is really close? Thanks -- I forgot about the Don Classics. Looks like it would probably be close to $600 with shipping and whatnot. And that mouser cart doesn't really inspire confidence. Out of laziness and respect for my wallet I might try the hairball copper for $300. It's not really a clone like the Don Classics, but maybe it will have the sound I'm looking for. |
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Post by RicFoxx on Oct 15, 2014 16:30:18 GMT -6
Lola's do sound huge and detailed and smooth.... but I picked my SCA N72 on the last vocalist I recorded. It just had a more finished sound, although less detail than the Lola. I'm really interested in trying the neve style opamp in the lola.... sound samples on hairballs site sound great. What I really want to know is whether anyone has tried the SCA N72 against 500 series neve style pre's. If there was something comparable, I might sell my SCA rack, and build another CAPI 500 rack. I had sca n72's, didn't get me too excited, I'm partial to API though(btw, no opamps in neve stuff), I hear the dons classics NV73 is really close? I loved the N72 on vocals! |
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Post by Randge on Oct 15, 2014 18:15:15 GMT -6
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Post by lpedrum on Oct 15, 2014 20:01:22 GMT -6
I really love the Phoenix--have two of them and they're a little beefier and bigger sounding than either the Daking or CAPI. But its the only Neve derivative pre I have so I'm not sure how it compares. My gut tells me that the MA5 might be a little different but not better. But I was just curious to hear if anyone here held the opinion that its the best. You could be right that the MA5 was just getting a lot of spin from dealers. Hairball now makes a Neve pre kit too, so maybe I'll try that too. Meanwhile my Crane Song Falcon comp arrived today, so I'm eager to give that a spin! That Lola's been calling my name for a year now, have u heard hat yet? Differential input to output, 990 based, should sound huge? I actually bought the Lola but just haven't had time to build it yet. But EVERYONE said good things about it and I really like the way Hairball does business--a very small start up company that knows how to connect with the customer on every level. I wish a certain builder of converters would take a meeting with those guys! |
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Post by winetree on Oct 15, 2014 20:26:33 GMT -6
Tony, I've got Lolas and Don Classics NV73s pres, mics, etc. My place is down for awhile.
We should get together and do some listening.
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 15, 2014 21:33:07 GMT -6
Tony, I've got Lolas and Don Classics NV73s pres, mics, etc. My place is down for awhile. We should get together and do some listening. Snap, H to the Y, you're on! i'll bring some of my mics, or you come here? either way's good, i cant believe we missed at AES, i had no idea you were there? How does the lola compare to the NV's beef wise(all wise)to you? i'm thinking they will be great for ribbons and kick drum? BTW, You live in corona right? |
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Oct 16, 2014 2:04:19 GMT -6
I really love the Phoenix--have two of them and they're a little beefier and bigger sounding than either the Daking or CAPI. But its the only Neve derivative pre I have so I'm not sure how it compares. My gut tells me that the MA5 might be a little different but not better. But I was just curious to hear if anyone here held the opinion that its the best. You could be right that the MA5 was just getting a lot of spin from dealers. Hairball now makes a Neve pre kit too, so maybe I'll try that too. Meanwhile my Crane Song Falcon comp arrived today, so I'm eager to give that a spin! Don't know if you'd like it anymore than your Phoenix but if your looking for old school Neve, I'd say Heritage. Boom. Bur as others have said, I've heard the Phoenix stuff is hard to beat. it doesn't get much love and goes on sale often because few people brag them up. Reminds me of the ghastly, door stop Avalon 737sp that no one at GS will touch with a ten foot pole. Fine by me. GS drives the prices down and I'll buy them up. Stellar piece of gear. |
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Post by KJ on Oct 16, 2014 2:41:40 GMT -6
I really love the Phoenix--have two of them and they're a little beefier and bigger sounding than either the Daking or CAPI. But its the only Neve derivative pre I have so I'm not sure how it compares. My gut tells me that the MA5 might be a little different but not better. But I was just curious to hear if anyone here held the opinion that its the best. You could be right that the MA5 was just getting a lot of spin from dealers. Hairball now makes a Neve pre kit too, so maybe I'll try that too. Meanwhile my Crane Song Falcon comp arrived today, so I'm eager to give that a spin! Don't know if you'd like it anymore than your Phoenix but if your looking for old school Neve, I'd say Heritage. Boom. Bur as others have said, I've heard the Phoenix stuff is hard to beat. it doesn't get much love and goes on sale often because few people brag them up. Reminds me of the ghastly, door stop Avalon 737sp that no one at GS will touch with a ten foot pole. Fine by me. GS drives the prices down and I'll buy them up. Stellar piece of gear. I second this. Get the Heritage and all your (immediate) Neve lust will be solved. |
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Post by lpedrum on Oct 16, 2014 8:49:32 GMT -6
Don't know if you'd like it anymore than your Phoenix but if your looking for old school Neve, I'd say Heritage. Boom. Bur as others have said, I've heard the Phoenix stuff is hard to beat. it doesn't get much love and goes on sale often because few people brag them up. Reminds me of the ghastly, door stop Avalon 737sp that no one at GS will touch with a ten foot pole. Fine by me. GS drives the prices down and I'll buy them up. Stellar piece of gear. I second this. Get the Heritage and all your (immediate) Neve lust will be solved. I had never investigated the Heritage. At $2200 and taking up 3 500 spaces it's more than my current studio upgrade budget will allow. But thanks for the tip and I'll keep it in mind. I tried the Crane Song Falcon comp last night. I haven't done a session with it yet, but my first thought after putting it through some tests was "When would I NOT use this." It's smooth, creamy, musical and seems to do exactly what I was hoping it would do. I reserve the right to refine my opinion, but right now it's love at first sight. Sometimes you get what you pay for. I'm sure the Heritage falls into that category too. |
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Post by lpedrum on Oct 16, 2014 8:52:39 GMT -6
Still curious about my original question though--does anyone on this site use the Avedis MA-5?
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Post by lolo on Oct 16, 2014 8:56:13 GMT -6
Heritage is great. Mine is not going anywhere. Why not look at the heritage jr?
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Oct 16, 2014 9:07:37 GMT -6
Isn't the Heritage jr about the same price as Avedis and Phoenix?
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Post by scumbum on Oct 16, 2014 9:27:16 GMT -6
Go back and look at some MA-5 threads. Tony Belmont and Cheu DOMINATE them. Every single thread about Neve style pres, you'll see at least one of those two talking them up. Personally, it got me thinking that the majority of the love was just based on those two "users". I'd still like to take one for a spin, but it made me a bit cautious. How do you like the Phoenix? They're supposed to have a bit of that N weight to them right? HAha , as soon as I read the title I cringed because that stupid mic pre makes me think of tony Belmont and him trying to sell it to everyone on the evil purple devil site . And for that fact I will NEVER buy one . Hairball audio has a Neve style 500 series pre . I was looking at it on their website , it's DIY for $300 . I don't remember what it was called , I think "copper" . |
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Post by scumbum on Oct 16, 2014 9:36:58 GMT -6
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