VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[tokyofan]

So, i think I've got it narrowed down to one of these:

Great River ME-1NV
Summit 2Ba-221
Phoenix Audio DRS-1

Any thoughts?
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[jrkaiser]

I'm a big fan of the Summit Audio 2ba-221... It sounds great with the MA-201. And a big thank you to Frank for helping me set this bad boy up. I've had nothing but compliments since. When I need a cleaner sound, I'll bypass the Summit and go direct into the Onyx Pre's on my board.

JK

[Frank F]

I sounds a little like you have "gear-itis". This disease rears it's head much too often in our business.

Go with the Summit.

As for tube microphones I agree with Phillip. As for tube pre-amps I do not agree with Phillip. In the world of pre-amps there are two types: Solid State and Tube based products.

There is no such thing as a dynamic (or analog) preamp!

Solid State pre's are mostly used in the "grunge" music genre' or with instruments where a producer is desiring a very effected, colored, harsh sound.

Tube Pre's as Lance Blair stated earlier in this thread:

"When used properly and not driven hard (tube preamps) are clean and the subtleties of the (sound created) come out even in mp3s."

(My words are used and marked in red to paraphrase the quote, rather than being a direct version)

If you choose the Summit as suggested, be sure to upgrade to a NEW TUBE. This little effort will effect the color and feel of your sound more than any other piece of gear in your chain.

I hope you get over your "gear-itis" soon, it is an expensive disease.

Toodles

F2
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[jrkaiser]

The first thing I did in the Summit was to replace the stock tube with a Mullard. I picked up a Mullard and a Tung-Sol from Tube Depot. Reasonable price, quick shipping, sounds great to me.

[Lance Blair]

I like the new production New Sensor and JJ tubes you can buy from tubedepot and other such places. I have Tung Sols and JJs, but I really try to use NOS tubes for voiceover most of the time, and then use the others for more "character".

Was it a real New Old Stock Mullard made in the UK or a new production New Sensor Mullard from Russia?

I'm only bringing it up again for those who don't know the difference.

I agree with F2 that tube preamps can be clean but tube mics are sometimes kinda mushy and messy to my ears (except for some, like the AT4060). I don't agree that solid state means character or edgy by definition. They can be however they are engineered to sound. My Speck 5.0 is clean as a whistle, but with the output transformer engaged it can sound reasonably "colored" and have a subtle character. Having the option of transformer or non-transformer output is rather nice.
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[tokyofan]

Yes, I probably have a case of gear-itus. But i haven't made any upgrades in years (other than re-treating my booth a couple months ago).

For the Summit, does the tube need time to warm-up?
Does anyone have any samples they could provide?
According to a rep at Front End Audio: "the Summit 2Ba-221 is a nice, versatile unit, though it may sound slightly 'hard' and not as open as the others that end up costing almost twice as much."

What about one of the Porticos?

Again, I don't see tubes being used in Tokyo studios so might want to go with a Solid-State with "valve" or vintage character. But haven't ruled out tubes just yet and a hybrid (like the Summit) might be OK.
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[Frank F]

[Gp]

As a general rule I am told that all tubes should warm up before use. I try to allow 20 to 30 minutes warm up. You can certainly use it before it warms up and the difference might be minimal but I try to let the tube get where it operates best.

The 2ba can do some nice stuff and Frank is right with a tube change you can get almost any sound you want.

The Portico line is great but expensive. I am waiting on the new Neve Fidelice.
If you need help with tubes and what they do gimme a hollar and I will put you in touch with the man.

Hope that helps.

[Edo]

[SkinnyJohnny]

Looks nice, but do you need 4 pres?
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