Author Topic: Preamp for AKG 463 pair (Read 6239 times)

indietaperwloo · « **on:** March 14, 2009, 12:43:57 PM »

I've just gotten a pair of illconditioned's AKG C463's and I used them on a webcast for the local college radio station and the stream was also being rebroadcast on FM...it was a pretty good success minus a few computer issues.
Now that I have these mics on semi-permanent loan, I'm looking for a decent preamp that is battery powered and can drive the 463's and can plug into an Edirol R-09. Any suggestions?

vanark · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2009, 01:06:47 PM »

NOLAfishwater · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2009, 02:00:39 PM »

there is a UA-5 in the yard sale for only 225

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,115357.0.html

easy jim · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2009, 02:16:38 PM »

Aerco MP-2 (transformer goodness). There is a used one in the yard sale now.

sygdwm · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2009, 03:44:24 PM »

oade m148. this is the correct answer.

tgakidis · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2009, 06:24:25 PM »

Quote from: easyjim on March 14, 2009, 02:16:38 PM

Aerco MP-2 (transformer goodness). There is a used one in the yard sale now.

What he Said....

J.T.L · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2009, 07:04:46 PM »

Quote from: sygdwm on March 14, 2009, 03:44:24 PM

oade m148. this is the correct answer.

What he Said....

habit · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2009, 07:06:05 PM »

Of the pres I ran with my 463s (including the 148) I thought the portico paired the best.

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=523284

jkbyram is running a Mini MP that sounds nice.

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=jkbyram

I guess it really depends on the sound your looking for.

Good luck.

easy jim · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2009, 07:13:49 PM »

The OP also asked about something that would be easy to run with a R-09, so I think the Aerco better than the m148 considering that. The m148 only has balanced XLR outputs, and that would have to be stepped down to unbalanced levels and a stereo 1/8" input for the R-09. The Aerco has both the stereo 1/8" and RCA outputs.

NOLAfishwater · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2009, 11:18:27 PM »

lots of great recommendations. main question that needs to be answered is what the budget is.

tgakidis · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2009, 08:28:56 PM »

Quote from: habit on March 14, 2009, 07:06:05 PM

jkbyram is running a Mini MP that sounds nice.

I ran this combo for awhile and liked it very much also...

Here is 460/a60/ck1 > mini-mp > R-09HR http://www.archive.org/details/tlg2008-11-12.ck1.16-44.flac

stevetoney · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2009, 09:13:02 PM »

Gotta luv TS.com...how we all agree on stuff! LOL!

I agree that any of the preamp recommendations given above would suit your needs well. If you're one a budget, the UA-5 suggestion probably provides the best bang for the buck. It wasn't too long ago when these were considered pretty much standard.

tgakidis · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2009, 09:36:09 PM »

Quote from: tonedeaf on March 15, 2009, 09:13:02 PM

Gotta luv TS.com...how we all agree on stuff! LOL!

I agree that any of the preamp recommendations given above would suit your needs well. If you're one a budget, the UA-5 suggestion probably provides the best bang for the buck. It wasn't too long ago when these were considered pretty much standard.

I thought I read some where that the UA-5 is not a straight pass through when used analog (something like Analog mics in > Digital UA-5 Conversion > Analog Out > with the R-09 doing another Digital conversion). It seems most people use the UA-5 with a JB3 or Iriver. If this is true the best bet would be the aerco, mini-mp or some other analog preamp.

page · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2009, 10:05:16 PM »

Quote from: tgakidis on March 15, 2009, 09:36:09 PM

Quote from: tonedeaf on March 15, 2009, 09:13:02 PM
Gotta luv TS.com...how we all agree on stuff! LOL!

I agree that any of the preamp recommendations given above would suit your needs well. If you're one a budget, the UA-5 suggestion probably provides the best bang for the buck. It wasn't too long ago when these were considered pretty much standard.

I thought I read some where that the UA-5 is not a straight pass through when used analog (something like Analog mics in > Digital UA-5 Conversion > Analog Out > with the R-09 doing another Digital conversion). It seems most people use the UA-5 with a JB3 or Iriver. If this is true the best bet would be the aerco, mini-mp or some other analog preamp.

correct.

vanark · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2009, 10:19:00 PM »

Quote from: tgakidis on March 15, 2009, 09:36:09 PM

I thought I read some where that the UA-5 is not a straight pass through when used analog (something like Analog mics in > Digital UA-5 Conversion > Analog Out > with the R-09 doing another Digital conversion).

This is true, but as someone that runs a UA-5 > R-09, I am quite satisfied with the results. If I recall, Smokin' Joe has some experiences as well that were quite favorable despite the extra A > D conversion. I wouldn't necessarily rule out the UA-5 because of this.

indietaperwloo · « **Reply #15 on:** March 17, 2009, 05:02:01 PM »

I'm liking the look of that Acero preamp...very small footprint. Looks like it can output from XLR to 1/8" TRS which is perfect for me. Plus, running on three 9-volts would be perfect and relatively economical when changing batteries. Anyone know how much one of those MP-2 boxes costs?

tgakidis · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2009, 05:52:16 PM »

The stock aerco has RCA outs and some have an additional 1/8" out. The maker, jerry I think, can customize with xlr outs I believe. There is a 6+ month wait time on new builds. New they are $750, custom will run you more I would imagine. They hold their value well and sell for $650-$680, as of late. You do have to open up the case to change the batteries and there is no low battery indicator.

easy jim · « **Reply #17 on:** March 17, 2009, 06:05:02 PM »

Quote from: tgakidis on March 17, 2009, 05:52:16 PM

The stock aerco has RCA outs and some have an additional 1/8" out. The maker, jerry I think, can customize with xlr outs I believe. There is a 6+ month wait time on new builds. New they are $750, custom will run you more I would imagine. They hold their value well and sell for $650-$680, as of late. You do have to open up the case to change the batteries and there is no low battery indicator.

I seem to remember reading that Jerry said there is not enough room in the box for full sized XLR outputs, but that either mini XLR outputs or pigtails for full sized XLRs could be used (though it would still be unbalanced).

Getting the 9v batteries in and out is a bit of a pain, and I do not bother with it at all because I never really have a need to take advantage of the ultra tiny footprint. I exclusively use a 9v L-ion (5400 mah) to power my Aerco, and it has only used ~ 1/3 of the L-ion's charge with a full day of use at a festival (~7-8 hours of use).

intpseeker · « **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2009, 09:49:07 PM »

I'm loving my 451's paired up with the mini-mp I picked up from tgakidis.

All local gigs and family so far, but v. impressive, and I haven't even gotten to the MS option yet. I know the footprint is not what some are looking for, but for my purposes, this is a winner.

jhirte · « **Reply #19 on:** March 26, 2009, 03:33:02 PM »

IME: V3 is great with these. Aerco same. UA-5.. never cared for it.
eventually I ended up running em straight to a SD 702... would go that route again if I was still taping.

orechall · « **Reply #20 on:** March 26, 2009, 04:38:32 PM »

Quote from: sygdwm on March 14, 2009, 03:44:24 PM

oade m148. this is the correct answer.

agreed.

Author Topic: Preamp for AKG 463 pair (Read 6239 times)

easy jim

J.T.L

easy jim

stevetoney

easy jim