Topic: UGLY vrs SONY PCM-D50 pre

[Justinasia]

As some of you know, I am wanting to get gear for recording quiet-sounding Japanese flute, around Japan. I need my gear to be portable and want it good enough for making a commercial CD. I made another thread here http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,115987.0.html but this question is now rather specific so hope it's OK to make this new thread:

How does the CA UGLY compare with the pre in the SONY PCM-D50? I have been recommended the UGLY because I am thinking to use DPA 4060 pair and the D50 can't power them. But until now I have not heard any opinion of whether or not the UGLY is a better pre. If it isn't, wouldn't it make more sense to use a power supply only (no pre) for the DPA 4060?

My other question is, how would the sound quality compare for these two:
CA UGLY>SONY PCM-D50
vrs
CA UGLY>microtrack

Thanks a lot
Justin

[jlykos]

My other question is, how would the sound quality compare for these two:
CA UGLY>SONY PCM-D50
vrs
CA UGLY>microtrack

Thanks a lot
Justin

There is no question that UGLY > D50 would result in higher-quality recordings than UGLY > Microtrack.  I used both and there is simply no comparison between the two units.  The line / A/D stage in the Microtrack is harsh and brittle.  The D50 has a very nice A/D and line stage.

[guysonic]

My other question is, how would the sound quality compare for these two:
CA UGLY>SONY PCM-D50
vrs
CA UGLY>microtrack

Thanks a lot
Justin

There is no question that UGLY > D50 would result in higher-quality recordings than UGLY > Microtrack.  I used both and there is simply no comparison between the two units.  The line / A/D stage in the Microtrack is harsh and brittle.  The D50 has a very nice A/D and line stage.

The D50 also has excellent MIC input especially in the 20 dB input sensitivity mode, but still very, very good in boosted gain (0 dB) mode; this is panel slide switch operated on the D50. 

Boosted gain mode is where the Ugly likely operates 100% of the time regardless of where its level knob is positioned, so most likely Sony MIC input has better gain mode (choice) than Ugly even when going LINE input to D50.

[sunjan]

There is no question that UGLY > D50 would result in higher-quality recordings than UGLY > Microtrack.  I used both and there is simply no comparison between the two units.  The line / A/D stage in the Microtrack is harsh and brittle.  The D50 has a very nice A/D and line stage.

Just for the sake of clarification, are you referring to legacy Microtrack or the MTII? Or maybe they're both just as bad going analog in?