yet another preamp thread...

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 4:09 pm

Are Sytek preamps about the same as RNP preamps sound and quality wise? I noticed that you can get 4 ch of sytek mpx-aii for under $1000 which puts in in the same price class as RNP-

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 6:27 pm

Hey X its me O,

Can't comment on the RNP, but I use the sytek and like it for very traditional classical stuff- vocals/piano, and straight ahead jazz stuff/ vocal/piano/ some acoustic bass/ some OH drums- I've only used it a few times for anything other than voice/piano so all I can say is that it did the job on the others but hasn't been road tested to where I can make a resounding endorsement - yet.
Very clean without color. I almost always use it with a mic that has a pad because there's not a lot of headroom for large dynamic contrasts.
The model I have has the Burr Brown on 3 and 4 and I'm pleased with it using an AKG 414 and Crown PZMs.
My understanding (never used) from reading is that the RNP is a more colored pre than the sytek.

Phil

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 12:08 am

Thanks for the comments, I am considering purchasing the Sytek unit with the Burr Brown chips on channels 3 & 4. Does anyone know if the Grace Design units would be a better purchase, even a single channel 101.

I am after the cleanest preamp I can get for up to $1500.

Tks
Bruce

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:35 am

Quote:

I am after the cleanest preamp I can get for up to $1500.

Then I would skip either of those and get a single channel of John Hardy. Mabe even invest in the 4-ch frame and buy three more down the road. The single channel Grace is not the same in sound as the 2-ch rack version.

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 6:32 am

Interesting, I have actually been considering the John Hardy preamp so your comment helps me a lot. The 2 channel Grace breaks my bank unless my fortunes change quickly.

Therefore compared to the Grace 201, getting two channels of John Hardy would be a good option at a marginally lower cost. Just thinking aloud!

Thanks
Bruce

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 7:01 am

i had a grace for a while but it sounded to hard even next to my rnp. i sold it and got two speck mic pres and ahve been very happy

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 7:24 am

for $1500 you could easily swing the Avalon M5 or save up and get the 2-channel ad2022. You won't get cleaner than that, and it still sounds very musical. It's a world class pre.

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 12:36 pm

You could also get a 9098 dual mic pre for $1600...I'm sure you could talk someone down $100. That's going to be more transparent than anything else listed above. Other than that you could get an Earthworks lab102 for $1300 or a 1022 for $1625. The Earthworks pre's are zero distortion and a freq response of 2Hz-100Khz +/- 0.1db. That's pretty flat if you ask me...

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 3:04 am

Tks everyone for the advice, I will look into all of these.

Randy, is the Neve as clean as the Earthworks etc or does it have a distinct "Neve" sound I keep hearing about. As a point of reference, I recorded many albums in a studio with an Amek Angella console that I really liked. Is possible to compare the 9098 to the Amek in sound quality or is this test really up to the individual.

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:20 am

Quote:

Originally posted by maintiger:
Are Sytek preamps about the same as RNP preamps sound and quality wise? I noticed that you can get 4 ch of sytek mpx-aii for under $1000 which puts in in the same price class as RNP-

**** no. The SYTEKS easily blow the RNP away. They are essential for drums. If you do a search here, I mentioned "testing mine" out on a singer in a boy band. That 'test' on that song got ME 2 grammy noms and a 3rd for the group.

I own 2 of them and honestly feel that anyone that doesn't own at least one is missing out. They are worth at least double the cost. I suggest the BB mod on channels 3 & 4. It'll give you some added flexibilty. Mike Stocia is awesome.

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:29 am

Hi e-cue,
OK, so Syteks are still a good option for me, they are certainly in my price range however I wasn't sure if they has the best quailty for the dollar. Sounds like you beleive they do.

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:36 am

Hi e-cue,
OK, so Syteks are still a good option for me, they are certainly in my price range however I wasn't sure if they has the best quailty for the dollar. Sounds like you believe they are in there.

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 8:02 am

Hi,

I'll second the notion that Mike from Sytek is great. Quick response, believes in his product and backs it up. His posts on one of the RO forums sold me as I was searching for a multiple channel clean pre for classical recordings.
The more I use it in different settings the more I like it. I'll echo e-cue's sentiment, I've used them on some light percussion as well now and I'm not at all disappointed.
Phil

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 3:29 pm

Bruce,
The 9098 pre's are from the Amek 9098i console designed by Rupert Neve (just incase you didn't know), and the quality of the 9098i is far superior to the older Angela.
The 9098 pre's don't sound anything like the classic Neve pre's...they are extremely transparent and have a sound to them but I can't explain it. It's almost like using bleach when cleaning clothes...they just have this really clean smell to them that you'd have to smell to understand. The Earthworks are also incredibly transparent but again have that bleach clean to them...a tiny bit different than the 9098 pre's but not much...
I love the 9098i console, it's my favorite board...and the rack pre's are a great buy if you want a transparent pre.

Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 7:08 am

I love it when someone asks which preamp they should buy, or which one is better. The responses that come in are the best part. It is a strong testiment to the professionalism on this board that these discussions do not inspire flame. (ie. I have X preamp, and your Y preamp sucks!)
All of the preamps listed here are very good AND very different. Clean for "solo vocals" can be a huge difference from "clean for orchestra." For example, the Graces, Earthworks, Syteks (non BB), and to a degree, the FMR are not what most people are looking for for a "solo voice." They fall into the camp "straight wire with gain." The Neve's in general, Avalons, as well as high end Focusrites all have a signature sound. They are all, by definition, clean in that they are measurably free from distortion and noise. The difference between the 2 camps usually breaks down to "transformerless" or "transformer coupled."

To suggest that someone "try" the preamp before they buy it is not always possible. However, I, and I'm sure plenty of others here, would be willing to let anybody sit in on a session so they could hear any pre in the closet.

Enjoy!

J... :c:

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