Anyone here with a DAV Electronics Pre?

[easyrider]

http://www.davelectronics.com/

I'm looking to get a decent pre to compliment my Oktava MK-102's

Just wondering if anyone had one?

Thanks

[JuanPC]

i´ve heard them...

they are in the most under rated mic-pres category...
much better than the overpriced but popular category.

but just like everything in life...
mic-pres are about personal taste.

i always wanted to buy the 500 series version...

[bcwiz]

I have the Broadhurst Gardens no2. It's an excellent mic amp that holds it's own alongside more expensive preamps. Clean and quiet with good HP filters and detented gain controls for precise level setting and recall. The design was approved by the top engineers at Decca.

[easyrider]

Thanks

I'm also looking at the FOCUSRITE ISA 428 ISA428 MKII

I think this maybe overkill for my needs though.

I need two channels at least for Drum Overheads but 4 inputs would allow me the snare and Bass drum too...Decisions decisions.

[Bob Olhsson]

Broadhurst Gardens is the old Decca studio and the designer/builder/seller is one of the people who built custom gear in their studio shop.

[Righty27]

FWIW, I was looking for advice on biggest impact upgrade for my basic rig (e.g. new interface vs outboard pre) from a respected London dealer a while back and this was the highly-recommended 'clean' suggestion, advising that it was a little-known, underrated (compared to the usual suspects) gem and a bit of a steal. Clearly your money is going on performance here rather than fancy aesthetics and website ... think I recall him saying that David Gilmour had acquired a batch!

There's surely better-looking gear but maybe the kit case, cottage-industry vibe adds to the charm? Evidently, this a proven design that is still, I understand, hand built/managed (?) by the person who designed them originally, so should have perfected the design and be pretty reliable to boot!

[Marsdy]

Originally Posted by easyrider

Thanks

I'm also looking at the FOCUSRITE ISA 428 ISA428 MKII

I think this maybe overkill for my needs though.

I need two channels at least for Drum Overheads but 4 inputs would allow me the snare and Bass drum too...Decisions decisions.

The 428 is a GREAT pre. I don't care what anyone says!!! Rupert Neve design, high quality transformers. VERY versatile with the four way impedance switch. I also have Neve 1073LB's, API and Rupert Never Design pres here. It stands up well against all of them and is arguably the most versatile.

BTW... Studiocare B-Stock is probably brand new!

Another contender.... The Audient ASP880. 8 channels and you won't find a bad review of it!

[Wireline]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

Broadhurst Gardens is the old Decca studio and the designer/builder/seller is one of the people who built custom gear in their studio shop.

I hadn't heard this before...

But the people I know who have BHG pres continually rave about them, use em all the time on just about every imaginable source. Kind of rare in the Colonies I gather.

Lynn Fuston from 3DAudio told me just recently the Focusrite 428 is one of the best out there, and he's heard/recorded/worked with just about every unit that can pass signal. Hear it for yourself on his Mic Pre Shootout....

[Bob Olhsson]

The BHG preamps are transformerless and designed to be as transparent as possible. People looking for "kewl saturation" won't like them. Classical recordists love them.

They aren't sold by dealers as far as I know, only direct.

[JuanPC]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

The BHG preamps are transformerless and designed to be as transparent as possible. People looking for "kewl saturation" won't like them. Classical recordists love them.

They aren't sold by dealers as far as I know, only direct.

In the transparent as possible category are also these:
http://www.gordonaudio.com/
.
also nice:
http://www.forsselltech.com/#!/products/2
http://burlaudio.com/products/b1-mic-pres
http://johnhardyco.com/
http://www.mil-media.com/
http://phoenixaudio.net/
http://www.wunderaudio.com/cobaltpreallotro.html
...
Others I can't remember the name...
Big VU meter, silver, single channel, handle?