Topic: AD20-MINI opinions? or other bb/preamp combo suggestions please

[relaxing]

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/DEN-AD20-MINI

I can't find much discussion about this little guy.  Is anyone taping with it?

Basically, I need something to go between my 4061s and my JB3, AND I want it stealth!   AD conversion optional.  There don't seem to be many options... the SP-PREAMP has been knocked on here as being too noisy.  I don't feel like getting microdot connectors put back on just to use the DPA battery box.

Maybe I'll just mod a preamp with one of those bb schematics that's floating around.

[Govt Mule]

I use one when I stealth. I don't get much use out of it, but I like usingit.
 It could have more low end.

It is easy to use in the field, and I have never been busted while using it with my JB3. A littlepricey for what I us it for, but what the heck.
I though about selling it and my AT831's and 2 jb2's to fund a higher quality hard disk recorder, I guess if I sell by V3 too I could come close to getting a 722.

[pfife]

you can get a used modSBM-1 for around the same price as that (new)... and it'll sound way better.   Other people have reported the need, and inability, to attenuate those AD-20s.

[Govt Mule]

I never had any trouble with it. I have the mini mod. I have a friend who uses an unmoded one with Beyer dynamic mics. I could see issues with condensers, but not if you just need plug in mini power.

[pfife]

Yeah, its wierd - if you look, there's a number of threads about it - some people report needing to attenuate, and some people don't.  This is also the case with a battery box -> AD-20 for some people - some report needing an attenuator (I did!) others don't.  I haven't been able to figure out what it is, but my suspicion is the SoundPro's bboxes.

I'd just hate to see someone purchase and be screwed.  But I still think the ModSBM-1 is a way better sounding item than an AD-20.  Especially and AD-20 for $529.  Considering that a used AD-20 goes for around $150 - $200, is that mod worth $350, since they can't be found used very easily?  That's something the purchaser needs to consider, IMO.

My personal experience was that I needed attenuators w/ all of these rigs:

DPA4061 -> SP-SPSB-1 -> AD-20
SPMics -> SP-SPSB-3 -> AD-20
AT853Rx -> PS-2 -> AD-20

I guess its possible that my AD-20 was whack, as that's the only commonality in those rigs.  But, if you do need attenuators, you can't attenuate that thing.

[Govt Mule]

It could be that the mini mod takes care of the issue.

[pfife]

It could be that the mini mod takes care of the issue.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=36350.0
 

[Govt Mule]

Beats me. I have run at shows right in front of the stacks and never had any issues. (other than having to wear ear plugs)

[pfife]

I know it man... it totally perplexes me as well.

I think the main problem is that the AD-20, even when turned all the way down, adds +17dbs of gain...

[relaxing]

you can get a used modSBM-1 for around the same price as that (new)... and it'll sound way better.   Other people have reported the need, and inability, to attenuate those AD-20s.

Where can you get those?  The only place I see is B&H and they're backordered.  And what mod?

I'd really like to get a battery box and preamp in one package.  In the interest of going cheap now, I'd forgo the external ADC until I'm ready to join the ranks of the truly hardcore 

[pfife]

The AD-20 that is modded is the only thing I can think of that would be one box supplying battery power... that's an external ADC.  I guess a battery box w/ level controls/bass rolloff would be the next cheapest option... 

I'm sure there are other options I'm not aware of.

[goose]

For close to the same price noted above, you could get the DPA mini-mic preamp (mma6000) for $450 and have microdots installed for about $75 per mic.

[relaxing]

so I could pay more to get an inferior preamp, no a/d, and have to buy yet more converters to use the mics with other equipment... 

still it might be worth it to get something that *just works*.

[pfife]

Mod SBM-1!  Watch the garage sale section!  The only downside is that you need a somewhat expensive cable to get an optical output from the SBM-1 for the JB3... but if you are thinking of spending ~$500 on a small pre/ad, this and an sound pro's bb is prolly gonna be the best sounding option.  I ran an AD-20 for quite a while, but I am much happier with the mod SBM-1.  that's just me though.

[Burnt]

 I don't feel like getting microdot connectors put back on just to use the DPA battery box.

I have 4061's that end in Lemo connectors.  When I purchased my DPA batt box from the Canadian distributer here in Toronto, they modded the batt box with some Lemo connector inputs instead of having to attach microdot connectors to the ends of my mics.  Now I can go Lemo in but also still have the microdot inputs to use since they were never disconnected.  So you might want to inquire about possibly modding the box from DPA