yet another preamp thread...

[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-

[pmolsonmus]

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

[B Callaway]

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

[AudioGaff]

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.

[B Callaway]

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

[Johnson Cabasa]

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

[JBsound]

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.

[djui5]

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...

[B Callaway]

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.

[e-cue]

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.