Topic: T+ UA-5 in front of OCM R-44?

[skotdee]

Wondering if, when space permits, it would be advantageous to run my UA-5 in front of the R-44 as opposed to mics straight in. Both units are modded, but I wonder which has better pre's, the T+ or Oade Concert Mod. What do you guys think?

[Todd R]

I guess it is the obvious answer, but it depends which you prefer the sound of.

If you run UA5 (digital) into the R44, the R44 would just be a bit bucket at that point and it wouldn't matter that you had yours Oade modded, since the Oade mod only changes the analog input stage, not the digital input stage.  I wouldn't run the UA5 analog into the R44 since the UA5 doesn't have a true preamp only output, the analog outputs of the UA5 go through the internal A/D conversion process, so it actually would be analog in > internal A/D > internal D/A > analog out (and then analog in to the R44 > internal A/D conversion again).

[skotdee]

Thanks Todd, I'd definitely be running the UA5 digital into the R44, which I understand would only be taking advantage of the UA5 mod, not the R44. I guess what Im wondering is if the T+ UA-5 mod is better in any way than the concert mod on the R44. Looks like I need to run both and compare the two. If there's not a distinguishable difference, there's no sense in going through the extra trouble of running the UA5 in front.