Eleven Rack Mic Preamp

[Becharax]

Hello Folks,

I am considering investing in a preamp module to connect it to my Apogee Symphony ....

However, I have an eleven rack connected through SPDIF to my Symphony ..

To conclude ... I came down to Universal Audio Preamp ... (Either the 710 Twinfinity or 4-710 Module ...)

How does it compare to the Mic Preamp on the eleven rack ???

Is it a BIG upgrade in sound ?

[nst7]

I would expect it to be a big improvement. From what I've heard from people who own the Eleven Rack, the preamp is pretty low budget, and the weakest part of the unit.

The other thing, even more importantly, is that if you're using it through Spidf (which is the only way the preamp can be used in that situation), that means you're using the Eleven Rack's A/D converter. This completely cancels out the benefit of using the Symphony, as the entire point of having the Symphony is it's stellar A/D conversion. You're instead using the Eleven Rack's A/D converter which is not even in the same universe in terms of quality.

So yes, absolutely use a different preamp besides the Eleven Rack one. Even if it's the exact same quality, it will still sound better because you would be going through the Symphony's A/D converter.

[mesaone]

Well, it's possible to use the converters on the 4-710d, but I would sooner run analog.

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by DJ Bechara

Hello Folks,

I am considering investing in a preamp module to connect it to my Apogee Symphony ....

However, I have an eleven rack connected through SPDIF to my Symphony ..

To conclude ... I came down to Universal Audio Preamp ... (Either the 710 Twinfinity or 4-710 Module ...)

How does it compare to the Mic Preamp on the eleven rack ???

Is it a BIG upgrade in sound ?

Originally Posted by nst7

I would expect it to be a big improvement. From what I've heard from people who own the Eleven Rack, the preamp is pretty low budget, and the weakest part of the unit.

The other thing, even more importantly, is that if you're using it through Spidf (which is the only way the preamp can be used in that situation), that means you're using the Eleven Rack's A/D converter. This completely cancels out the benefit of using the Symphony, as the entire point of having the Symphony is it's stellar A/D conversion. You're instead using the Eleven Rack's A/D converter which is not even in the same universe in terms of quality.

So yes, absolutely use a different preamp besides the Eleven Rack one. Even if it's the exact same quality, it will still sound better because you would be going through the Symphony's A/D converter.

What nst said.
Something you have to ask yourself is do you need the 4 mic pres in the 4-710d or can you live with the single one in the Twinfinity? They both have the tone blending thing of going between solidstate and tube. Also big difference is the price. $800 US for the 710 and $2000 US for the 4-710d. Big difference. If you just want a single mic pre and like the UA sound and you want it to be tubes I'd suggest the Solo610 which is a single channel tube mic pre/di box. Have one here and I love it. Goes for $1000 US.

All three options are way better than what's in the 11R (and I have an 11R to compare to here) - trust me on that. The 11R mic pre is a bit brittle to my ears, especially with large diaphragm condensers.

[Becharax]

Ok you wanna laugh laugh :P but I really need something that can sit in my studio ... I have some rackspace of 2U and unfortunately those twinfinity and Solo610 do not fit ...

I need 3 inputs ... One for a digital Piano, One for a Fender Guitar and one For a Mic Pre ..

[YYR123]

DJ it was your idea for the UA series. If you can only fit a 2U and won't stack any thing - then just get the 4-710

[Becharax]

Originally Posted by YYR123

DJ it was your idea for the UA series. If you can only fit a 2U and won't stack any thing - then just get the 4-710

Indeed ... what's the best price available ?

[YYR123]

If you wait I would guess, $15-1700

Obviously new it's still $1999 iirc

At Sweetwater they have a deal iirc a new 4-710 unit with a new quad card or satellite

[Becharax]

1500$ would be quite a catch ... you mean by next year ?? prices will drop eventually ?

[YYR123]

Well sure but I really don't see many of these units out there used,
But it's possible, I've seen 6176's go for $15-17