need some quick opinions about a mic pre

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 4:35 pm

Hey Guys! After talking with many of you about gear I narrowed my preamp decision to a great river pre that sells for $1075 but...today I stopped by a local dealer and the manager wants to blow out his Avalon M5's for $720 because he doen't want to carry them anymore. I wanted to get a great river because many of you are thrilled with them and said that they are an awesome all around pre. It would be my first big pre. I haven't considered the Avalon at all before now. Is this something I should jump at and go purchase right away or should I hold out for the GR? Please give me some quick advice. Thanks.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 4:41 pm

I'd grab that M5 at that price!

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 4:51 pm

What are it's strengths and how does it compare with the great river? Thanks

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 5:18 pm

WDavidW,
The Avalons are known to be very nuetral, transparent gain with out sonic artifacts... not what the GR MP/NVs do.. but that is a very good price, so good it is hard to pass up. At some point you will want a few pres of that type, so it seems it would be an excellent opportunity to snag them on the cheap.. Perhaps they will let you try one out first to make sure you like it?

I would still think about the GRs, maybe later, ... personally myself, if I had a whole rack of GRs I would be a very happy camper.. I love them.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 6:33 pm

Kurt says it well and I agree. The Avalon is well worth having. It is great for use on many things, vocals and acoustic guitar to name a few.

Buy it and don't look back...

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 7:11 pm

I'd buy the M5 in a heartbeat for that price.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 7:17 pm

Ditto on the M5..great price!The Great River will prob. still be around at that price 1075.00

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:48 am

I know of one noted producer who puts the Avalon mic pres up with the Neve 1073. However, he does put the A Designs at the front of the list.

Anyhow, that's pretty good company and that price is incredibly good.

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:11 pm

Hey guys! I got it!!!!! I haven't plugged it in yet but I'm going to turn it on tonight. $719.00. Unbelievable.

AudioGaff, And I was just saying to you that I wish that I could land a monitor deal as good as yours. This is pretty close for a preamp. Smile

Thanks a lot everyone Smile

for all your encouragement!
I'll let you guys know how I like it.

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:25 pm

Ohh!ohh!ohh! Now it's time to have fun!

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 9:40 pm

Quote:

AudioGaff, And I was just saying to you that I wish that I could land a monitor deal as good as yours.

Ya, not bad. Nothing like a bargin to make you feel like a true Gear Slut!

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:23 pm

Ha! Ha! Ha! Well, I tried out the new pre and it was pretty awesome. There was a definate difference between the mackie and the M5. The mackie sounded pretty much like garbage. It was extremely brittle and crackly sounding and it just sounded cheap. Also, with the Mackie, it was very difficult to tell the difference in quality between my $150 mic and my $1000 mic. They both sounded about the same and equally pretty bad or just ok. When I used the M5, both mics improved greatly in sound quality. Everything was smooth as silk with out a trace of crackle or brittle sound. If anything, it sounded more bassy or darker than the Mackie, but definately smoother. I was also amazed at how well the M5 picked up the sound of the whole room where the mackie never really did that. The mackie would pick up other noises but not really the room ambience the way the M5 did. Now I can see why good room accoustics and great monitors are going to a must.

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 9:29 am

He is hooked! Very Happy

The goddess of gear lust got him in her claws... Very Happy

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