Avalon 737 anyone?

[tchipman]

I was just wondering if anyone is using one of these preamps with their 001 and how they like it or dislike it. I was thinking about adding one of those this year and maybe one of those Studio Project C1's, and a pair of 824's. Anybody want to buy my M1 actives?
tim

[Chico]

Avalon 737...ohhh yessssss. This sweet little sucker can go from smooth as the proverbial baby's bottom to as harsh and raw as you want it. I think it would even make a bad mic sound good.

One word of caution...replace your tubes at least once a year...I replace mine about every 9 months...you can hear them get mushy. Be sure to get a matched set of tubes (I get mine from Avalon) and hold on to your wallet.

[Zeek]

Yes, the 737 can rock, if used correclty, but it's pretty pricey.

Interesting thing about the changing of tubes though. I used one once and it sounded awsome, used a different one, and it didn't. Used the same mic and everything, perhpas the tubes needed changing....why yes..that could have been it [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

-Zeek

[Slim Shady]

I salivate just thinking about it. Haven't used one with my 001, but I use one constantly at the TDM studio where I work - unbelievable preamp. Nothing makes a bass sound as good, and it does a mighty fine job on snare drums too. Not my favorite for vocals, but in general it makes everything sound vonderful.

[Steve Rieck]

I use a 737sp as a front end for my 001 w/ a tlm-103 neumann mic and a few other mics. The sound and flexability of this preamp are incredible. The compressor and eq are outstanding although I would definately say they are very transparent (usually a good thing). By the way, also a TOTALLY amazing Bass preamp as stated earlier.

[Allen Hallada]

I used one for about a month and a half, mostly for vocals and for the money you can definitely do better. I didn't like the fact that I had to wait an hour for the tubes to warm up before it sounded warm and I really was not impressed with the sound I was getting for male vocals with any mic I used on it. I then got a Great River MP-2NV based on the Neve 1073 with dual preamps for just a little more money than the Avalon and there was no comparing the two. The MP-2NV just plain rocks. It was like going from an Shure SM58 to a Neumann U87 on my vocals.
I had a guy tell me that the Avalons were famous for bass guitar and a few other things but for vocals the Great River was in a different league altogether and you get double the preamps. I personally think it is way over rated and over priced.
If you want color go with the Neve based products from Great River, Brent Averill or Vintech. If you want clean then the regular Great River or Millenia preamps would be great.
Allen [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Carl Z]

I've used one for 2 months now with a Neumman TLM193. I find it exells on accoustic and voice (male voice no problem here) as well as bass.

I dig both the Compression and EQ as well.

Carl

[bassmac]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Chico:
One word of caution...replace your tubes at least once a year...I replace mine about every 9 months...you can hear them get mushy. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's why I got rid of mine...I didn't like the way the sound degrades over time. The same thing happened with my 2-610.

I use to be a tube snob, but I've got some solid state API's I really dig now. They sound great day in, day out - no changing. And they're much more of a workhorse than the tube stuff I've used. YMMV. I'll probably get another tube box in the future, but it won't be my turn it on, and leave it on all day box.

BTW: The 737 is not in the same league as Avalon's AD series gear, which they're more widely regarded for.

If you must have a all in one tube box, I'd look into a Millennia Origin STT-1...they're very well made, and features galore.

[Anthemmusic]

I've used the 737 for a little over a year now, and I've enjoyed it on vocals(male&female) and acoustic guitar. Yes, it is more transparent than coloring, and has a way of sweetening things. An all around good pre, but I'm also looking for some more color for certain things. Thinking about Vintech or something.

I like the compressor, very musical. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[valvebrother]

Ive used the 737, and own the great river MP-2NV, go figure. Says it all.

I do like the AD series from avalon, and have fallen in love with an old m2. I also really like the API mic pre's, especially on female vocals.

D