Topic: Is the Lunatec V3 still the best portable mic pre & A to D?

[mountainmusic]

After many years, putting my recording rig back together. I have an Oade Bros modded Marantz PMD661 for digital files, but want a better mic pre for my Neumanns, and of course a better A to D would help as well. I know that the V3 isn't made anymore. Is there a better solution? Thanks very much!

[jbell]

You might want to consider a Sound Devices USBpre2 or Mixpre-d, but there is also a V3 in the YS!

[mountainmusic]

Thanks JBell. I need an RCA S/PDIF digital output to feed the Marantz, which the V3 has, but not sure the Sound Devices units do. One other question, I need a good resource for a battery to power the V3 as well - and I need 48V of microphone phantom power for my Neumanns.  Thanks again!

[Marshall7]

Excellent battery here:

http://www.amazon.com/Naztech-PB15000-Universal-Charger-Extended/dp/B007URKIGC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400355577&sr=8-1&keywords=naztech+battery

[jbell]

You can run the USBpre2 and Mixpre-d digi into the 661, but if you want a V3 $760 used is a great price. 

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=168178.0

Thanks JBell. I need an RCA S/PDIF digital output to feed the Marantz, which the V3 has, but not sure the Sound Devices units do. One other question, I need a good resource for a battery to power the V3 as well - and I need 48V of microphone phantom power for my Neumanns.  Thanks again!

[mountainmusic]

Thanks much. Found a V3 for $500 - given that I need ample phantom power for mics, that seems to make the most sense. But still need a good battery for it (that will also last long enough for a day of recording and providing juice for 48V phantom power mics). Used to use ECO-CHARGE lead acid batteries, and they were great. Long gone I believe...

[Ultfris101]

Thanks much. Found a V3 for $500 - given that I need ample phantom power for mics, that seems to make the most sense. But still need a good battery for it (that will also last long enough for a day of recording and providing juice for 48V phantom power mics). Used to use ECO-CHARGE lead acid batteries, and they were great. Long gone I believe...

Wow. A V3 for $500? Unusually great deal.

[mountainmusic]

I agree. Still need rechargeable battery recommends for the V3 - with enough juice for day-long phantom power. thanks!

[jbell]

Excellent battery here:

http://www.amazon.com/Naztech-PB15000-Universal-Charger-Extended/dp/B007URKIGC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400355577&sr=8-1&keywords=naztech+battery

I used this when I ran a V3!

[mountainmusic]

Thanks. Saw this link earlier... Were you (phantom) powering a pair of mics with this as well - through the V3? How many hours did you get on a charge? thanks again...

[DiggerinVA]

I use that battery running P48 on a pair of LD Sony's from the 1970's and a V2. I get about 11-12 hours should not be much different those are hogs.

[kindms]

When I ran a V3 with my 414s and an ecocharge 12v i would usually only get about 4-6 hours on the 12v SLAs.

The 414 + V3 was a pretty big power hog

[H₂O]

It's all personal opinion on which is best but IMO the only mic pre top notch AD's that are 24bit are:
V3
Sound Devices USBpre2
Sound Devices MixPre-D
Apogee MiniME

Only the sound devices are still in production

If your looking for just an AD there is the:
Mytek AD192

Some other 24bit Mic pre AD's include:
Modded UA-5's
Mic2496 v2 by Core sounds

[perks]

Me like the sound of the Metric Halo ULN-2 but its not as easy to get around as the V3.

[jazzgtrl4]

There's also the Benchmark AD2K+ 

for just another single AD

It's all personal opinion on which is best but IMO the only mic pre top notch AD's that are 24bit are:
V3
Sound Devices USBpre2
Sound Devices MixPre-D
Apogee MiniME

Only the sound devices are still in production

If your looking for just an AD there is the:
Mytek AD192

Some other 24bit Mic pre AD's include:
Modded UA-5's
Mic2496 v2 by Core sounds