I don't have much experience with the Sebatron. But I can tell you that if you have the M5 right now that you are wise into looking into tube gear like the Sebatron and the Pendulum.

I don't think you'd be too happy with the 737 since you have the m5. I hear a ton of favorable reviews about the quartet and the mdp-1 by pendulum. There also seems to be a lot of buzz about the thorax right now.

I would probably go with a stereo pre similar to the 2000e or the mdp-1a.

Kurt has a Thorax! 8)
Tell us about the Thorax Kurt! :D Please, please, please!
Huh? Huh? Huh? PLEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!
I don't think he's had it long, that's why I'm getting so exicited to hear what he thinks after he has a chance to play with it some.
So, what do you think Kurt? Tell us, I can't sleep at night. I have to hear about the Thorax :!:

I have a Sebatron VMP2000e. Its one of the best pieces of gear I've ever bought.

Per channel
I/O:
XLR in, XLR out, TS/TRS in, TS/TRS out
Pad:
-30db, -15db, 0db
EQ High:
flat, Bright, Air
EQ Low:
flat, deep, cut

Phase invert
Phantom power
Output Level

All parts are high quality. The Output Level knob is a pleasure to use - heavy and smooth just the way we like it. Minute adjustments can be made and heard, which for volume is crucial.

The flexible I/O for each channel makes complex configurations possible ... chain 2 channels together, D.I., parallel with different settings, etc. Addditionally, both the XLR and jack outputs are active at once - you can use it as a signal splitter.

Important: unlike many other tube pres, the VMP series pres do not have a "gain" control - there is no cheapo op-amp to sully your signal, just massive tube gain. Sure, there could be an additional tube gain stage just for "drive" but thats what guitar amps are for.

If you want tube drive sound you either:
1) patch 1 ch. into the other and use the Output Level of the first channel (and the input pad of the 2nd) to set your drive...

2) or you just deliver a feisty hot signal into a single channel with Pad at 0db (no attenuation). Volume in determines "drive" while Output Level is as its name suggests.

But the Sebatron tube pres really shine when doing transparent preamp character. They deliver massive gain (60db) with very low noise and make any mic sound much better. Warm, even, tube gain.

(IMO) By far the best tone comes from a signal that is loud but not overdriving... makes a C414 sound like a U87. A really nice 'gold' channel: mic->Seb ch.1 -> FMR RNC (analog compressor) -> Seb ch.2 -> audio interface

[first channel boosts mic signal, compressor limits the peaks so you can turn it on up, audio hits 2nd channel in the sweet spot for that gorgeous warm, present, silky clear sound]

The EQ switches are a nice touch. Since I typically record as dry as possible, I thought I wouldn't use them much but if you know you're recording acoustic guit, and you know you'll end up EQ-ing it with a classic slope - you might as well flip on the Low Cut switch and either Bright or Air. It sounds better than any non-DSP driven plugins anyway. Air seems to be a cross between a very high EQ and a harmonic exciter since it actually adds freqs above 22Khz! The unit actually outputs freqs up to 40Khz.

Its a fantastic unit, truly.

The only drawback of the 2000e is the omition of the VU meters. I didn't think I'd miss them, but there are plenty of occasions when they'd come in very useful. I think the VU's are only an extra $100, which if you have the cash, is worth it IMO.

Pendulum products are considered among the finest gear on the planet. I have a MDP-1a. The same pre is used in the Quartet. Stunning, sensual, euphonic, perfect. The Quartet blows the Avalon 737 out of the water. Dunno about Pendulum vs. Sebatron gear, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if you considered the Pendulum gear superior after trying them side by side.

Yes, I'm sure the pres mentioned -Avalon and Pendulum- will have better reviews overall. They also cost twice -or more- the price of the seb!

If cost isn't an issue ... no reason not to get the best of best.

Arrowfan wrote: Yes, I'm sure the pres mentioned -Avalon and Pendulum- will have better reviews overall. They also cost twice -or more- the price of the seb!

If cost isn't an issue ... no reason not to get the best of best.

I don't know how the Seb would stack up against a Pendulum. The Pendulum Quartet sure oupaces the Avalon 737SP in every department (pre, eq and comp) plus the Quartet has a deesser. The Avalon M5 (or 2022) is an exceptional preamp, very different than the pre in the 737.

A Quartet runs about $2,650 street. The Pendulum Quartet II is more, much more, although it is said it is not a replacement for the original Quartet, but a complimentary piece.

Again, dunno about the Seb products in comparison. They are less expensive.