Avalon VT 737 sp preamp question

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:17 am

Hi everyone.....i recently came across an Avalon VT 737 sp preamp that i could pick up for a fair price. I have heard nothing but incredible things about this piece of gear and im sure it would be quite a step up from what im using now....
my main concern is that at the moment im only using a MBOX as my interface. i plan on upgrading to something better in the next few months. but for now, would this preamp even shine the way it should going through such a entry level interface?? thoughts?

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 11:18 am

Hey

I record ALL my vocals at a small studio in Los Angeles.....

It has a NEUMANN U 87 and AVALON PRE-AMPS....737 & 2022......

I refuse to go anywhere else....

Check out the results if you like....The 3 songs are NOT mastered yet though....Listen for yourself and make an informed decision.........

Here's my web-site link below

Steve

www.soundclick.com/stevealtonian

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 2:12 pm

I used to have a 737. They're really nice but I remember it as being very tubie sounding which is exactly what it is, a tube pre. I wouldn't prefer to have a tube pre as my ONLY pre. If I were you I would opt for something with a little less color. A solid state pre that's known for clarity. But that's just my opinion. The mbox is the problem. No matter what you use, it's only going to sound so good through an mbox.

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:31 am

I had a 737 a couple of years ago. It's a nice piece to do voiceovers with. Maybe good for a vocalist needing a little "boost". But, like the previous poster stated, not an all-around tool to have as your main go-to preamp.
Simply stated, the 737 is too colored to use as your only (or first choice) pre. This depends on what type of material you're doing, of course.
I had some reliability issues regarding tube sockets and control switches, so I finally sold it off. For the price of that box, you might look at something more versatile, like a Langevin Dual Vocal Combo.

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:45 am

It's funny! Many people think the 737 is too neutral, that it doesn't sound tubey enough. Personally, I like it that way; it is not my only preamp, but it's one that I go to quite often (as much as my Focusrite ISA430MkII).
If you have a really good price for it, I would recommend to go for it. You won't regret it and I bet it will hold its value for a long time.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:12 am

i was thinking exactly the same thing...jeje...i find the 737 very transparent...maybe when u push a little the compresor (it suks anyway) u can hear the tube thing...but in general is very transparent, i also have some API and ISA stuff...and i think for example...that the API is more colorated (is that a word?) than the AVALON 737...maybe im wrong i dunno...just my opinion... Wink

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