Best Neve 1073

[jlo1182]

great river seems like it would be really great anyone other than steve tried one? Thanks.

[Stylin' Audio]

Has anyone tested Neve Portico? http://www.rupertneve.com/ Any comments?

Just installed one recently and I really like it. I mean REALLY like it! I don't have a 1073 (or clone) to compare it to directly, but my understanding is that the Portico was supposed to lean on tradition yet have it's own vibe. Having said that, the "Silk" button does help put me into that classic Neve headspace. I was a bit put off by the looks and "daintiness" of the pictures on the website, but in the flesh I must say there is a quality look and feel about the unit. It is most certainly worth a listen if you are shopping.

[dBHEAD]

Just installed one recently and I really like it. I mean REALLY like it!

I agree. I bought mine without ever giving it a listening test in person (I did hear some tests in the web) because I knew the price was going to go up.

I liked it so much I'm actually thinking about buying a second one, even though the price has gone up by 260 dollars since. At $1,699 (which I believe is the current price) it's still a great deal. This is one of those preamps that will not only keep its value, but will probably increase in value over time. Even now, IMHO, this is about a 2,700 dollar preamp for a thousand less than that.

In fact, I was impressed enough that I can't quite decide if I want another Portico 5012 or if I want to wait until the 5043 compressor comes out. Rupert Neve may not be as well known for compressors as he is for preamps, but I was impressed enough by the sound quality of the Portico 5012 that I'm ready to give his company the benefit of the doubt.

[propower]

Sort of a hijacked thread at this point .... but...

I got a 5012 and it is my current fave for Vox and Ac Guitar!
An EXCELLENT value....

-Lee

[Top Jimmy]

I bought a couple of these. List at $700 each and the power supply at $100 will power two of them.

http://www.pacificproaudio.com/pickoftheweek.asp

[philippebruno]

yeah, heard those ones & was impressed, just ran short of money to earn them... lol
next investment I guess...

[pmklein]

This is a great thread! It's interesting to find all of the options for this module. Are there more "clones" that we are not aware of?

[Cliffy_Boy]

Chandler LTD-1. More of a rebuilt than a clone. Excellent.

[PTUser NYC]

Are there more "clones"

This would be a good way to start:

Let's compile a list, and indicate which are attempts at exact clones, and which are designs that share something in common with the 1073, but are not part for part recreations?

Another question is: Does it have to have an identical EQ section to qualify? For this question, I'm talking about the preamp section.

Phoenix GTQ2 - similar, not clone
Brent Averill - clone

Lets get a whole list.

Meanwhile, my 2 cents, are that the Averill units are fantastic.

[spiritG]

Do you know what those PacificProAudio units have in them? Some things it just a matter of copying a successful design, which can be done cheaply. But a large part of the Neve sound was the "iron"- the transformer- and it seems cheap to retail for $700 with anything near the quality of the St. Ives transformers Neve used.Part cost in quantity is probably over $45 for just that. Also the inductors etc. do cost a bit. Chandler and some of the others use some pretty close if not exactly the same as Neve parts. Look at the Vintech explanation about the difference between there budget model and their regular model to get some insight.
Also gearslutz.com is full of debate about Neve clones, though sometimes you have to take a grain of salt for who is posing as an authority.