Topic: Nakamichi Microphones with Sony SBM-1

[gdplusmore]

Thanks to Distant Jay…I just picked up his Sony SBM-1 from the yard sale to run with my Nak 100/300’s. My goal is to improve the A/D that I have been getting from NJB3…I always like the combo of the Naks with SBM-1 but for various reasons never got one. I went from Nak 300’s Sony D5 to Nak 300’s/100’s ->Nak MX-100->analog-> NJB3. I missed the whole Dat era.

I am quite happy with the results from the current setup but I am thinking the SBM-1 would give me some options.
Please comment if my below assumptions and configurations sound right.

•    Current Setup   Nak300’s/Nak100’s XLR ->1/4 L/R->Nak MX-100-> RCA L/R ->mini 1/8->analog NJB3-wave
 ( good results but A/D could be improved)

                Option 1 SBM-1  set to Mic in
                Run Nak300’s/Nak100’s XLR ->1/4 L/R->mic in SBM-1 ->optical out via Sony 7pin->NJB3
               ( I tested this and found I need to crank the levels on the SBM-1 to get decent levels on the NJB3 Does this sound right ?)

               Option 2 SBM-1 set to Line in
               Run Nak300’s/Nak100’s XLR ->RCA L/R Line in SBM-1 ->optical out via Sony 7pin->NJB3-> wave
               ( I need to get some XLR->RCA cables to test this)  I am  assuming I will get stronger levels without a need to crank the
               SBM-1 levels.)

               Option 3 MX-100 with SBM-1 – Line in
               Nak300’s/Nak100’s XLR ->1/4 L/R->Nak MX-100-> RCA L/R->Line-in RCA optical out via Sony 7pin->NJB3-> wave
               (This would probably give me good results levels. I need to get some short RCA->RCA cables to test, I am thinking this
                  would give me good results but would require the most portable power and weight to my bag)


Thanks
Brian

[caymanreview]

i didnt run naks, but i did run akg c1000s > sbm1 once upon a time

i used a set of hosa MIT176 transformers on the sbm1 end and ran line in, into the rcas. they were mod'd to rca output by someone here, and have xlr input stock. stock they come with 1/4" out that would work for the 1/4" inputs on the sbm1

http://www.fullcompass.com/product/294385.html

[Roger Gustavsson]

Brain,

Are your Nakamichi CM-100/CM-300 in original shape, non-modded?

Roger

[gdplusmore]

yes...the 300's run on 9volt and the nak100's AA.

Thanks

Brian

[Roger Gustavsson]

You can run the CM-100 on 9V as well. With only 1.5V the headroom is 20dB down compared to 9V (118 vs. 138dB at 3% of distorsion). Still with the output transformer? Very low output then.

[dgale]

Do you still have your TC-D5M?  If so, I would recommend:

Nak300’s/Nak100’s XLR -> 1/4 L/R -> D5 (pass through for pre) -> RCA L/R Line in SBM-1 (for A/D) -> optical out -> NJB3 (bit bucket).

I know this is more stuff to haul around but I've always been a believer that the Nak 300s and the D5 were a great pair and there's no reason one can't still use the D5 as a pre.

I've owned a SBM-1 for several years but have never used it as a pre-amp (i.e. I've always ran line in from an external pre or else taken an analog patch or sbd feed into it and simply used it for its A/D), so I can't speak to how it would perform as a pre.  My assumption is that it's bound to be better than the NJB3 - I can't see using that thing for anything but a bit bucket.  I'm also not sure of the circuitry differences with the SBM-1 as far as sound quality when running mic vs line in.

[gdplusmore]

Thanks...the D5 is  a good option...but I think I will just add the SBM-1 between the mx-100 and
NJB3,,

[SmokinJoe]

There is a particular guy who runs CM100's with CP4 guns > SBM-1... I'm not exactly sure how he does it, but he pulls great tapes...  In particular I remember listening to Gov't Mule tapes at Beacon Theater the last couple of years on the "end of the year run". Here's one listing...
http://db.etree.org/shninfo_detail.php?shnid=89309

My suggestion is to see if you can find that guy and ask what he does.

Lacking that... If you are accustomed to running Mics > MX100 and that's always worked well for you, then running that Line in to the SBM-1 should work great.

[gdplusmore]

Thanks Joe....yes Steve runs the SBM-1 with his Naks to a Dat...