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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: bobstammers on July 22, 2022, 01:51:36 PM

Title: What is the current thinking for Stealth Preamps please?
Post by: bobstammers on July 22, 2022, 01:51:36 PM
Hello all, after an enjoyable weekend in Berlin recording I have a renewed passion for taping and am considering downsizing my M10 setups and purchasing an A10.

My PIPsqueak has had battery issues, a switch replacement (both dealt with perfectly by Jon @ Naiant) but has now developed some intermittent crackle / static which is the unit not a lead issue. I am looking to reppalce the jack but fear its lifespan is coming to an end.

I do still have my CA9100 and CA Ugly II but I do prefer the PIPsqueak form factor. I have enquired with Jon re his current equivalents now the IPA has been retired but he is no longer making battery powered preamps so I am asking what the current thinking is please?

I am happy with the CA9100 but it is almost twice the size of an A10 and I have no real issue with the Ugly II other than what people may think of it if discovered. I do sometiems stealth with two rigs so a smaller preamp would be advantageous as I would use the Ugly II for the one.

Thanks all.

Title: Re: What is the current thinking for Stealth Preamps please?
Post by: ideal77dlr on July 23, 2022, 08:30:21 AM
I have a Bat2b battery box from Church Audio which i prefer using over the 9100.
Title: Re: What is the current thinking for Stealth Preamps please?
Post by: bobstammers on July 23, 2022, 08:35:56 AM
Quote from: ideal77dlr on July 23, 2022, 08:30:21 AM
I have a Bat2b battery box from Church Audio which i prefer using over the 9100.

Perfect for loud concerts but no amplification option for quieter shows. I do have the simpler CA Ugly batt box for proper low pro but again, only good for loud concerts. I do like the look of the bat2b.

Thanks for the reply!
Title: Re: What is the current thinking for Stealth Preamps please?
Post by: if_then_else on July 23, 2022, 01:23:41 PM
As an alternative: If you've already got a battery box (like the one from Church Audio, SP or Making Sound https://www.making-sound.co.uk/projects/electret-battery-box.html (https://www.making-sound.co.uk/projects/electret-battery-box.html)), there's a also fixed gain +20dB preamp cable available.
Either directly from FEL or from retailers like Canford.

https://micbooster.com/fel-35-series-microphone-preamplifiers/40-fel-35-sj.html
https://www.canford.de/Products/2019260/20-806_FEL-3.5SJ-STEREO-MICROPHONE-PRE-AMPLIFIER
Title: Re: What is the current thinking for Stealth Preamps please?
Post by: bobstammers on July 24, 2022, 04:59:38 AM
Quote from: if_then_else on July 23, 2022, 01:23:41 PM
As an alternative: If you've already got a battery box (like the one from Church Audio, SP or Making Sound https://www.making-sound.co.uk/projects/electret-battery-box.html (https://www.making-sound.co.uk/projects/electret-battery-box.html)), there's a also fixed gain +20dB preamp cable available.
Either directly from FEL or from retailers like Canford.

https://micbooster.com/fel-35-series-microphone-preamplifiers/40-fel-35-sj.html
https://www.canford.de/Products/2019260/20-806_FEL-3.5SJ-STEREO-MICROPHONE-PRE-AMPLIFIER

That is a great option and a new one to me, thanks for sharing that, I shall investigate further.
Title: Re: What is the current thinking for Stealth Preamps please?
Post by: aaronji on July 24, 2022, 08:47:48 AM
Maybe I am missing something, but why not use the mic input for quieter shows?
Title: Re: What is the current thinking for Stealth Preamps please?
Post by: bobstammers on July 24, 2022, 02:02:00 PM
Quote from: aaronji on July 24, 2022, 08:47:48 AM
Maybe I am missing something, but why not use the mic input for quieter shows?

Another great point and one I have overlooked this time around, thank you.

You are all doing a great job of talking me out of spending more money, appreciated.
Title: Re: What is the current thinking for Stealth Preamps please?
Post by: swordfish on July 24, 2022, 02:17:14 PM
I had my my M10 with Doug Oade and got a concert mod for the mic in.  Sounds beautiful at least IMO
Title: Re: What is the current thinking for Stealth Preamps please?
Post by: mrfender on July 25, 2022, 08:04:42 PM
Would something like this work?  Not a electrical engineer by any means.

https://www.terlasosfs.top/ProductDetail.aspx?iid=597284046&pr=46.88 (https://www.terlasosfs.top/ProductDetail.aspx?iid=597284046&pr=46.88)
https://www.terlasosfs.top/products.aspx?cname=kit+preamp+mic&cid=89 (https://www.terlasosfs.top/products.aspx?cname=kit+preamp+mic&cid=89)
Title: Re: What is the current thinking for Stealth Preamps please?
Post by: unidentified on July 26, 2022, 08:14:08 AM
Quote from: swordfish on July 24, 2022, 02:17:14 PM
I had my my M10 with Doug Oade and got a concert mod for the mic in.  Sounds beautiful at least IMO

Same here!! Highly recommended!!!
Title: Re: What is the current thinking for Stealth Preamps please?
Post by: bobstammers on July 26, 2022, 02:56:38 PM
Quote from: mrfender on July 25, 2022, 08:04:42 PM
Would something like this work?  Not a electrical engineer by any means.

https://www.terlasosfs.top/ProductDetail.aspx?iid=597284046&pr=46.88 (https://www.terlasosfs.top/ProductDetail.aspx?iid=597284046&pr=46.88)
https://www.terlasosfs.top/products.aspx?cname=kit+preamp+mic&cid=89 (https://www.terlasosfs.top/products.aspx?cname=kit+preamp+mic&cid=89)

Nor me unfortunately but thank you for the options!
Title: Re: What is the current thinking for Stealth Preamps please?
Post by: bobstammers on July 26, 2022, 02:58:41 PM
Quote from: unidentified on July 26, 2022, 08:14:08 AM
Quote from: swordfish on July 24, 2022, 02:17:14 PM
I had my my M10 with Doug Oade and got a concert mod for the mic in.  Sounds beautiful at least IMO

Same here!! Highly recommended!!!

I have seen others mention Oade mods when I was a daily lurker here several years ago, I was not aware this coudld be carried out with an M10. Another route I shall investigate, I have just pulled the button on an A10 so I can spare an M10 to have modded I guess, I will reach out to Doug.

Thanks for the input both.