OT: The REAL deal on Vintech 1272

Someone here posted about the Peavey- "replace the tubes and go out hi-z" ??? Personally, it sounded PDG stock. I wonder, replace with Czech tubes and remove the Chinese, is that it? I believe I did go out hi-z My only complaint- no output gain control. It is the best built unit around. But... I'd check out the new Joe Meek twin. And the API.

bite the bullet & get yourself either the great river MP-2NV, OR, phoenix audio is blowing out ( i know i'll hate myself in da mornin' for revealing this) 10 of their 1st-production drs-2's at about $1200/usd (only diff is gold screen print instead of white, as far as i can tell). don't spend that much money on something so vital if it ain't gonna be a keeper. either one of the above'll let you hear what god sounds like when he sings (or plays). have fun. ml

Get the pre's and keep them forever. THe Vintech is good enough to use forever. THe secret of a good studio is never selling gear, Someday you wil have many assorted Mic pre's and those vintechs will alwys come in handy, even if they become the last options after real neves.

normally, i'd agree on the vintech. good pre, good value. and within a collection of tools, good & bad, any of them might suit on a given day. but for a $2100 pre that's goin' for only $1200, & worth every penny of the full price, the phoenix piece is a steal. if i were making my "1st" foray into the "high-end" world of mic pre's, i'd wanna go for the best bang for buck. that "character" you're looking to acquire is due, in large part to a transformer, which the drs-2 has in it's output stage (with it's own gain level, so you can get that "creamy" warmth, like on the mp-2nv, if you so desire) . the input happens to be transformerless (unlike the great river unit). that silky "airy" top-end is what it (& the g.river) does. it's a bit like buying either a lexus or a jaguar for the same $. both are usable. but which would you choose? decisions! oi! hey, if i had $2400 bucks, i'd consider getting both. finding a drs-2 to demo might be difficult (they're made in the uk), but go demo the vintech & a great river/merc. edition, and you'll hear what i'm talking about. dan kennedy didn't spend the extra $750 on marketing. & you'll get a rough ballpark of what the drs-2 does. whateveh. good luck. ml

Is the jury out on the 9098 (Amek)