Not for nothing, but I'm sitting here listening to all these tracks on a nice pair of Event PS5 monitors and I can't hear ANY difference. Seriously, what variations are evident on these tracks that I'm not hearing? Or have I just blown out my eardrums playing too many loud gigs? Ultimately, I'm in the market for a preamp but if it's this subtle I'm wondering if it's worth spending a ton of money. Granted I just have a small project studio (Logic Pro, Digi001, Mackie 1202, AT 4033's, etc), but still...

Please inform the uninformed.

I dunno, I heard differences among all of them and FWIW my monitor chain is Mac G5 optical out--> RME ADI-2 converter --> Hafler P1500 driving a pair of first run bi-wired Clements Audio 106di mkII (good imaging, good top end though slightly dark, boxy mid-bass, soft low bass). Cables are AudioQuest Slate bi-wires.


If you can't hear the difference between, say, the acoustic guitar Sebatron vs. the API, or Great River drums vs Neve, I'd take a closer listen. I hear very distinct differences.

quote:

Not for nothing, but I'm sitting here listening to all these tracks on a nice pair of Event PS5 monitors and I can't hear ANY difference.

Actually, that's what I've always maintained. Difference in pres are subtle. I think people want the skies to open up and the god of professional audio to come down and grace their tracks...but, they won't. And, the differences here are less obvious because they're all decent. I think when DOT does these, he should always include a Mackie VLZ or TubeMP...some really popular, but not so great pre--as a reference.

I really think the dividing line to my ears almost always go on topology. Transformer, transformerless, and tube sound markedly different...but the diffs within a topology are seriously subtle. I also think including an HV3 for industry standard transparency reference should happen, too.

I listened again tonight. Couple thing about my opinion that changed. While I scored the API and GR as equal but different on acoustic...tonight I'm siding with the GR. They are equally useable, but the BR has a more natural sound-which personally, I would choose for acoustic. Neve2 is still my fave on drums, but the GR that I thought was too revealing sounds better tonight--I'd put that second. While I recognize the API sound on drums--it's not my cup of tea. It's a very rock sound. Kinda splatty in a cool way.

Um, how much does the Neve Portico cost?

Ricky, the $1440 intro price seems to be over. It's in the neighborhood of $1600 now.

Has anyone AB'd the 5012 v. the 5016? The 5016 seems like a bargain for basement recordists who might only need one channel but want the Neve sound and the DI.