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Post by bluegrassdan on Feb 10, 2015 18:46:23 GMT -6
I've been debating building a DIY point-to-point Pultec from the RecPro kit at $1,645. Now, Warm Audio just released their Pultec eq for $699. Seems like the advantages of the RecPro design are NOS tubes, Sowter transformers, paper-in-oil caps, Grayhill pots, tube rectifier, etc. Warm uses new Tung Sol tubes, Cinemag transformers, and likely the most cost effective parts possible. Both use Cinemag inductors. Sourcing Pultec parts is well over $1,000 even without the RecPro kit. I can't help but be a little skeptical regarding the Warm version, especially when the Warm Pultec boasts more features (four additional frequencies to choose from) over the original design. Just look at the internals: Warm  RecPro  Any thoughts? |
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 10, 2015 20:04:07 GMT -6
The Warm is definitely built to a price point...but I think Bryce gives great value for what you pay...Will you have a better Pultec if you DIY? Probably...Will you hear it? I think it depends on how discerning a Pultec user you are...Not having logged many hours on a Pultec, I doubt I would notice a difference unless I had them side by side.
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Post by tonycamphd on Feb 10, 2015 20:09:27 GMT -6
MO, if you can afford it? go the clone route for sure, the warm is more than likely a nice eq, it uses good stuff, but it's not likely to stand up to hand selected tubes and top of the line components imv, it'd be great if you could find someone with both? let us know what you find out bud
welcome to the forum btw 8)
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Post by mdmitch2 on Feb 10, 2015 20:25:40 GMT -6
I was thinking about warm vs diy and I'll probably go with warm for the extra frequencies and stepped pots.
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t3
Junior Member
I'm in the hi-fidelity first class travelling set.
Posts: 54
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Post by t3 on Feb 10, 2015 21:24:15 GMT -6
You might also try to find out how much it would cost to mod the Warm with those better quality parts, and see if the Warm + mods price still has you coming out ahead.
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 10, 2015 23:23:24 GMT -6
Wonder if Zen Pro Warhead is offering any kind of mod? I have no idea of what could even be modded though... |
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Post by unit7 on Feb 11, 2015 0:27:56 GMT -6
If you really enjoy DIY and even the work sourcing parts, I'd go for two P2P (non kit) builds. Or at least getting two of each of the parts that is expensive to ship so you're set for a second build later.
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 11, 2015 4:56:58 GMT -6
why not buy one warm and see, if you appreciate it, buy the other, if not keep it or sell it, the warm is flat from like 40-40k and with the parts list on the diy may be more expensive how much better is the sound ? Pretty certain Bryce had the prototypes with producers with pultecs and the review and comments have all been very favourable; exactly the same sound no, but very favourable comments.
You could spec the nos tubes and the transformer and try those in your warm. I know David at CineMag designed the transformers but they are not as heavy as the original, but as he signed off on the CineMag transformers performance, I am good with that. I feel the additional set points make the Warm eq more versatile.
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Post by svart on Feb 11, 2015 8:05:17 GMT -6
The real question is, why do you want a pultec?
Do you require the interesting "trick" that it can do on the low frequencies?
Or do you just want a tube eq?
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Post by bluegrassdan on Feb 11, 2015 18:31:58 GMT -6
The real question is, why do you want a pultec? Do you require the interesting "trick" that it can do on the low frequencies? Or do you just want a tube eq? The Pultec would be mainly used while tracking vocals in the chain with the La2a I built or whatever compressor in use at the time. No doubt it would get used during mixing for kick drum, upright bass, electric bass, or anything else that would benefit from the "trick" it can do. The high frequency section would be the ticket for ribbon mics. So, yeah. Lots of uses for a real Pultec, or as close as one can get in 2015. I just wonder if the Warm Audio is just a really nice and relatively affordable tube eq, or if it really stands up tall and proud compared with a build that would costs 235% more in components. |
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Post by bluegrassdan on Feb 11, 2015 18:34:48 GMT -6
Or will Warm Audio users be complaining in 3 years of broken knobs, failed components, and whatever else might suffer from meeting the low price point?
Not being critical. Just curious.
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 11, 2015 19:34:27 GMT -6
hasn't happened with his first run of pres and they are 3 years or so, really why would you suggest Bryce does poor work if you really don't know ?
from all the posts I have seen and quotes of Bryce, he does try to build to a lower price point but not compromise on parts . He fundamentally believes that other companies simply charge too much for their products. You do understand that he really tries to include the most significant parts and that is why for example he goes back to CinMag and the reichenbach specs. Personally, from what I have gathered he runs a pretty tight ship, 1 person, just him to keep the costs down and to be able to provide very good products at good prices.
Conversely one might ask why are some diy kits really so expensive anyway ?
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Post by jcoutu1 on Feb 11, 2015 20:07:23 GMT -6
Or will Warm Audio users be complaining in 3 years of broken knobs, failed components, and whatever else might suffer from meeting the low price point? Not being critical. Just curious. I have a WA76. I think it's a nice compressor for a nice price. Does it feel like it's built like a tank? No. For my small time mix room in my house, I expect that it'll hold up for years. In a full time studio that's booked solid, I'm not sure. I can say that the build doesn't feel any worse that the $5000 Thermionic Phoenix SB that I had. If I were in your shoes, I would skip the DIY and get 3 Warm's...or a used Summit and a Warm. I love my Summit on the 2. |
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Post by tonycamphd on Feb 12, 2015 8:49:02 GMT -6
hasn't happened with his first run of pres and they are 3 years or so, really why would you suggest Bryce does poor work if you really don't know ? from all the posts I have seen and quotes of Bryce, he does try to build to a lower price point but not compromise on parts . He fundamentally believes that other companies simply charge too much for their products. You do understand that he really tries to include the most significant parts and that is why for example he goes back to CinMag and the reichenbach specs. Personally, from what I have gathered he runs a pretty tight ship, 1 person, just him to keep the costs down and to be able to provide very good products at good prices. Conversely one might ask why are some diy kits really so expensive anyway ? he didn't Matt..jeez, Bryce's stuff is mostly made overseas, thats how the price stays down. Also, he's not a one man show, he does NOT build or design the stuff, he has people he trusts for that. And there is NOTHING wrong with that, he's a smart guy, he's a businessman, at least that is what he told me per our one on one conversation at AES. What his company provides are affordable, solid tools for guys who want a taste of the originals at a fraction of the price, this is how he put it to me, they are not REAL pultec, api, or 1176's if compared to HQ clones or real units, you can tell with a single look inside of any of the 3 that this is the case, they sound good. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 12, 2015 10:01:35 GMT -6
fair enough but no big deal and i agree with your analysis; good value. That $1500-2,000 is interesting fro 2 ( stereo processing and or dual mono) if one looks beyond pultec, but I know that is OT.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Feb 17, 2015 9:52:43 GMT -6
The big design compromise in the Warm is that there is no interstage transformer. Will this make a huge difference? Well others have done this before with pretty positive results and so far I have to say with the WA76 Bryce nailed it.
I have a Drip Pultech board sitting here, it probably won't get built till after I grab a Warm. Everybody I have talked to who has spent time with the Warm tech has had universally positive things to say about it.
Hitting the price points Bryce has chosen for these projects are a pretty big risk in the age of plugins, but so farm Warm's been hot! We Need more guys like Bryce , Jeff Stieger and Matt at Diezenhorff ? Guys who deliver a rack full of great gear for the price of a pair of Vintage stuff or most New Clones, If these guys continue to deliver and be successful others will follow!
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Post by dandeurloo on Feb 17, 2015 11:40:39 GMT -6
I'd love to see a inside photo of the warm.
BTW, I still LOVE my Drip Pultecs. They rule.
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 17, 2015 13:56:10 GMT -6
there are some on youtube and check out the pro tools expert NAMM video
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 17, 2015 13:58:21 GMT -6
The big design compromise in the Warm is that there is no interstage transformer. Will this make a huge difference? Well others have done this before with pretty positive results and so far I have to say with the WA76 Bryce nailed it. I have a Drip Pultech board sitting here, it probably won't get built till after I grab a Warm. Everybody I have talked to who has spent time with the Warm tech has had universally positive things to say about it. Hitting the price points Bryce has chosen for these projects are a pretty big risk in the age of plugins, but so farm Warm's been hot! We Need more guys like Bryce , Jeff Stieger and Matt at Diezenhorff ? Guys who deliver a rack full of great gear for the price of a pair of Vintage stuff or most New Clones, If these guys continue to deliver and be successful others will follow! Ericn I have seen you state this before but I thought I saw a reference to this component listed in a couple of articles or am I misunderstanding the part ? thx ! |
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Post by tonycamphd on Feb 17, 2015 14:21:02 GMT -6
here's a pic i took at namm, sorry, i accidentally deleted the better ones 8( Attachment Deleted |
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Feb 17, 2015 14:58:51 GMT -6
The big design compromise in the Warm is that there is no interstage transformer. Will this make a huge difference? Well others have done this before with pretty positive results and so far I have to say with the WA76 Bryce nailed it. I have a Drip Pultech board sitting here, it probably won't get built till after I grab a Warm. Everybody I have talked to who has spent time with the Warm tech has had universally positive things to say about it. Hitting the price points Bryce has chosen for these projects are a pretty big risk in the age of plugins, but so farm Warm's been hot! We Need more guys like Bryce , Jeff Stieger and Matt at Diezenhorff ? Guys who deliver a rack full of great gear for the price of a pair of Vintage stuff or most New Clones, If these guys continue to deliver and be successful others will follow! Ericn I have seen you state this before but I thought I saw a reference to this component listed in a couple of articles or am I misunderstanding the part ? thx ! [ I am only repeating what Bryce himself has stated elsewhere, but Bryce has done his best to voice this thing like the real deal so for the money I think anybody who wants a Pultec sound should at least give it a shot I will! |
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 17, 2015 17:15:58 GMT -6
I saw a British article that I thought said the part was included but it pre viewing so I wondered if it was correct :0 Yes i agree Bryce has good ears and cred, so I think the WA P-EQ is certainly worth the price of admission  |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Feb 17, 2015 18:15:27 GMT -6
I think the Mercury has a switchable interstage transformer. The Warm doesn't have one. Supposedly a little cleaner without it.
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