Ive used the seventh circle neve and API pres..
the neves were ok very open and natural but I liked the api's better very smooth and clean,, JMO

Thanks,

Did you build the Seventh ciircle pres, or were you just using them?

I'm a little leery of buying something I have to build myself. I've done tons of Soldering and some light electronics repair, but not sure about the building of the kit. Can you offer some advice?

A friend of Mine built them and he's a guru when It comes to doing this stuff.. They dont look that difficult
to do.. and It just might be Fun!!

I f you take your time Im sure you can do it...

Im in the middle of recapping my console and Im sure it cant be anymore teadious than that.. Just be carful on the traces

cheers.

I guess it would still be a fraction of the cost of the portico's.

i own the portico. it is a great pre. it is not very colored. however, it does not do well with ribbon mics.

I picked up the Portico 5012 and have been loving it. Its replaced the UA 2-610 as my primary pre for acoustic instruments, drums and vocals.

The UA still wins for piano, bass and electric guitars though.

Just got one and its a decent pre. The silk mode was a bit much on a bass, the but sounded decent with out it.