Topic: Looking for advice on preamp

[macacopowa]

Hi, i'm trying to do a big step to upgrade, I need a preamp, but i doubt between two options: MP-2 and his variants and mv-100. I think about these because I'm searching a versatile preamp that I can use on stealth and open conditions. One thing important it's the portability, and if I'm not mistaken only the MP-2 can run with internals.   I'm planning to use with At943 (cmc-8) and an edirol R1   
I have also a broken UA-5, but this option need somebody that can repair it, and maybe, I would have to change the recorder for my iriver.

any advise?

CMC-8>>R1   


 I think that both are in the same prices range.

[jlykos]

I have never run the MV-100 and I don't think many tapers have.  I did run the MP-2 for a while and I really liked it a lot.  Very small and easy to stealth.  Sounds nice too.  The preamp sound is on the hot / warm side.  I ran it alone and in front of a modSBM-1 and the combination of the two was fantastic.  The only issue when stealthing with the MP-2 is the fact that the gain knobs are very sensitive and you have to be careful not to move them when stealthing.  Some tape should do the job with that.  You also may want to get the device modified by Sound Devices so it can accept rechargeable batteries.  The AA life is not great on the unit and you may have to switch the batteries every few hours or so.  Rechargeables will save you a lot of money with that.

[ambo]

I have an MV100 which I like, but don't really have anything to compare it to. It goes for about half of the price of an MP2 on the marketplace site here. It's not as sturdy as an MP2 and is not particularly highly regarded here, but there is nothing else in this price range that is small, battery operated, and has phantom power. Apparently there are opamp mods that can be done on this unit as well.

[Sanjay]

Are you planning to get your SP-CMC-8's phantom modded for this?  If not any small minidisc preamp will do an OK job.   I would say get them phantom modded. 

The MV-100 is a good pre, but I think you are limited with only -20 and +20 options.  However this pre is closely related to the Sonosax SX-M2, which if you are lucky can be found for a steal, however if not usually $750.  The sonosax is an amazing pre, i've run mine accidentily at constant overload and still got a listenable recording.  It is the same size as the MV-100.  There is also an MV-100 on ebay. They are both run on internal 9v batteries

The MP-2 (also related are the Sound devices Mixpre and Shure FP-24) is a great pre, very warm sounding.  Don't worry about the rechargable battery mod, all you need to do is peel off a bit of plastic around the + tip of the rechargable battery and it will work.  There is a thread here with pictures.   I ran this pre when I lived in Barcelona and was able to sneak it in at the Apolo, Palau San Jordi, Razzmatazz, and the pavilion in Badalona.  So if I can sneak it in there you should be fine!  It is made of metal though so if they now have metal detectors you might be in trouble.  It sounds very good with AT mics and personally this is what i'd get.   The batteries do not last long if you use rechargables though so be careful.

[macacopowa]

the mikes have phantom modded. Thanks for yours answers, i can manage an idea for which I choose