Topic: M148 v. M248

[thoman8r]

I posted this question in the Yard Sale but apparently nobody saw it, so I'll ask it here.  What is the difference between the M148 versus the M248?  I can't find ANY information about the M248 on oade.com.

Thanks,
Dave

[twoodruff]

the m148 is a fixed gain preamp at around 20 dbs. The m248 is variable gain I believe, yet not continuous. The m148 has one switch, on and off. The 248 has different gain settings and a hf boost that can be applied. I have never seen a m248, so I may be off-base.

[goose]

m248 is continuous gain, rca output, hf+ <on/off switch>, lf- <on/off switch>, power <on/off switch>, well labeled unlike the m148

m148 fixed gain, transformer based; m248 variable gain, not transformer based - very different sound.  Run on different voltages as well (chargers not compatible with both).

[marc0789]

m148 is transformer based, like the 248. but very different sound. doug says the 248 has an hf boost making it nice for far field taping, and from some tapes I've heard, I tend to agree. Nice match with schoeps.

[Tim]

the 248 has been out of production for several years.

[dmonterisi]

i personally find that the 248 matches well with schoeps but not other mics...i find the HF emphasis a bit grating and fatiguing.  if you run akg's and you like to run em xy, stay away from the 248.  as usual ymmv.

[jacallery]

Mitch Hibbs wrote this a while back....

"The m248 is a PCB based design and includes a DC>DC converter to go from
12>48v.  The m148 is all point to point wiring, no PCB and it uses 8 6v
batteries in series to provide pure DC w/ no DC>DC converter...which is partly
which it is such a clean pre.  The 148 is a very minimalist design on the
inside...it's pretty simple, w/ high quality transformers and op amps. "

callery

[BC]

search the old forum on the Oade taper forum. There is very detailed info about the differences btw. the two pre's.

www.oade.com


Take care,
Ben

[carlbeck]

148 has that fat warm tube sound while the 248 has a brighter/thinner sound. Both rock for AKG 480 recordings, the 148 w/483's & the 248 w/481's being my faves. I ran both for a while & would take either one again, I have yet to hear ANY pre that matches an Oade box IMO.