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A couple of years ago I got a PreSonus MP-20 microphone preamp.

I have always liked the way it sounded (or did not sound on acoustic music) lately I started hearing some "problems" with the unit. (high-endsizzle and what sounded like sibilance) I checked the unit out and found that the harmonic distortion was higher than advertised and called the company to get an RMA to send it back. The company was very easy to deal with and the unit is on its way to them. I was just wondering if others on this forum have used the MP-20 and what your feelings were about the unit. Thanks in advance.

Comments

Cucco Mon, 10/03/2005 - 05:38

Hey Tom!

Yes, I've used the MP20 and for the most part, found it to be a pretty decent pre. (Although I don't really care for their tube emulation device - IDSS??)

The one that I used was one of their early production models which used the Jensen input transformer. It was excedingly clean and full sounding. The newer ones, however, do not use the Jensen (or any other transformer of good reputation for that matter - nothing wrong with the one they use, just not a GREAT xfrmr). If you sent in one with the Jensen tranny, make sure that's what you get back or I'm afraid you will not be too happy. The sound will be completely different!

J.

Thomas W. Bethel Mon, 10/03/2005 - 07:02

I too have an early model Serial number in the 30's so mine also has the Jensen transformer in it.

Thanks for the reply. I too do not like the tube emulator circuit and leave it off.

I have used the unit for voice and some classical recordings. I popped the top to see how the unit was constructed (and to see if it had the Jensen Transformers in it) and was impressed with the overall construction and quality of the components. It is always interesting and educational to see what is inside something that you like.

alexaudio Tue, 10/04/2005 - 22:25

Thomas W. Bethel wrote: I too have an early model Serial number in the 30's so mine also has the Jensen transformer in it.

Thanks for the reply. I too do not like the tube emulator circuit and leave it off.

I have used the unit for voice and some classical recordings. I popped the top to see how the unit was constructed (and to see if it had the Jensen Transformers in it) and was impressed with the overall construction and quality of the components. It is always interesting and educational to see what is inside something that you like.

I have used the M80 (8 channel unit) and was not that impressed. The metering was far from accurate (unit ref's to 0dbu, not +4dbu), ccrosstalk did not meet spec when tested with an AP, and rotory pots that did not have any means to match one another. I too did not like the IDSS. It is a nice unit for the dollar value, but if I had the option to buy something else, I definately would.

Thomas W. Bethel Wed, 10/05/2005 - 04:41

alexaudio wrote: [quote=Thomas W. Bethel]I too have an early model Serial number in the 30's so mine also has the Jensen transformer in it.

Thanks for the reply. I too do not like the tube emulator circuit and leave it off.

I have used the unit for voice and some classical recordings. I popped the top to see how the unit was constructed (and to see if it had the Jensen Transformers in it) and was impressed with the overall construction and quality of the components. It is always interesting and educational to see what is inside something that you like.

I have used the M80 (8 channel unit) and was not that impressed. The metering was far from accurate (unit ref's to 0dbu, not +4dbu), ccrosstalk did not meet spec when tested with an AP, and rotory pots that did not have any means to match one another. I too did not like the IDSS. It is a nice unit for the dollar value, but if I had the option to buy something else, I definately would.

I don't think the 8 channel unit is the same animal as the MP-20 but have no information to prove or disprove my claims. The MP-20 is pretty fully loaded inside the chassis in a one rack space unit and I am not sure they could cram all of that into the 8 channel unit which is only two rack channels high but who knows...... I understand that the M-80 comes with a "seperate" power supply?

Presonus does not make any claims that they are the same. I also know that my unit has a Jensen transformers in it and that the newer units have some other off brand transformer in them so I am not sure which transformers the M-80 has at the present time or when you tried your unit. Thanks for all your helpful comments.

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