The ART DPS II D/I & Pre-amp

Since we're on the subject of front-end stuff, I'm curious to find out if this unit is worth taking a look at. This would be used as a mic pre on a temporary basis unless it really matches up to some of the better products on the market. Or would it be better to hold out & save a few bucks and get that "really nice" pre everyone raves about?

 

I've had an art pre-amp for a few hours and i went back to the shop and gave it back imediatly it sounds bad ,reall bad , its an alesis chip inside that does wrong with music,the valve variation is totaly unuseful with unproportional tonal balance ,save some money and buy a real pre amp

 

I would guess that the Alesis chip inside is the digital converter and not the culprit. The ART pres are just cheap and sound bad..

As far as the ART vs. the RNP, it would depend on what you want to record as to if the RNP was more suitable.. If your doing acoustic guitar and instruments or other aplications where you want an reasonably "accutrate" type pre, the RNP is a good starter.. but if you want attitude and color for pop, rap / hip hop, blues, rock etc, I don't think you would be real happy with it. The RNP sounds very much like a Mackie pre to me..