What kind of music? The API has the edge for being a little more rock n' roll, but both will serve you well. If you're going down a more pop route, the Vintech may be a better choice, but both of these examples are of a slim margin.

This is 6 on one and a half dozen on the other. Pick one and go for it. Either way, you'll have no regrets.

~id

They are both very good tools. Like a lot of very good tools, one is not really better than the other, just different. They compliment each other well and I for one, need and use both of types of tools for my work.

I second what AudioGaff says Times 24 times 2. Those two units are like the difference between men and women. They are the same but different. They are both 2 of the most classic front ends you could ever hope to own.

I'm bi! API and Neve!
Ms. Remy Ann David

so how would you guys describe the difference in the tonality between the 2. My primary genre would be rock so if the api would be better that might be the way to go. My front end is an rme fireface and I'll be adding one of these for some color and probably a true systems for a real uncolored sound, unless someone can convince me that the earthworls pre would give me better sound than the true systems, but anyway I'm getting side tracked my main concern is the yummy old school color for right now as the pres in the rme are not bad for an untouched sound, thanks for the help

mud5150 wrote: My primary genre would be rock so if the api would be better that might be the way to go.

Neither one is 'better' or 'worse' for rock music. Or you could get a Vintech 273, which is exactly half of the 473 (i.e. two channels instead of 4), and then 2 channels of something API-ish (i.e. faster and punchier than the Vintech). Then you'd have the best of both worlds, and where one doesn't work the other will because they are different.

ahh faster punchier thats what I suspected but I wanted to hear it from somebody else besides my own ASSumption. Cool I'll probably go with the api unless I can afford to get 2 channels of both, which would be cool I would like to get the vintech with the expanded eq, anyway thanks for the advice

To add to the Neve vs API sound discussion..

Neve preamps are well known for their round bottom end. In comparison, API's have a more aggresive midrange sound, so whatever you run through them generally stands out in the mix more (a more forward sound)..

Having not compared the Vintech to a real Neve I can't say that it has any of the same qualities, although I'm sure they make a good product. If you decide to go the two channel route, there is also the Aurora Audio GTQ2mkIII, which is a Neve-style mic pre designed by Geoff Tanner (one of the original designers from Neve's glory years). It gives you two channels of 1073-style mic pre with EQ, and is worth checking out.

As a side note, I would like to say the API 3124+ is one of the best buys in terms of preamps on the market. But, I am biased as I also sell API.

mud5150 wrote: ...probably a true systems for a real uncolored sound, unless someone can convince me that the earthworls pre would give me better sound than the true systems......

Also check out Buzz Audio for clean.