Topic: Sound Devices USBPre 2

[Fitz]

Thanks for the thoughts.  An noted with respect to the new thread creation..

Will think about this one a bit more.

[mepaca]

Newbie question:
Rather then creating a new topic I would like to ask the respondants of this thread;

"If you had $650 to spend on a preamp would you choose a used Grace Design V2 or a new Sound Devices USBPre 2?"

Neumann SKM184 > preamp > Sony PCM-D50

All opinions welcome.

Hello- I have both units. I would go for the usbpre 2 for the following reasons.
1) It is a brand new guaranteed unit.
2) excellent a/d and d/a conversion
3) the plethora of i/o options
4) powering from any usb source
5) the ability to use it as an excellent computer interface
6) 80 db of clean gain with built in pads
7) excellent metering
built in outstanding headphone amp
9) most importantly, superior sound that easily rivals the v2

[F.O.Bean]

Newbie question:
Rather then creating a new topic I would like to ask the respondants of this thread;

"If you had $650 to spend on a preamp would you choose a used Grace Design V2 or a new Sound Devices USBPre 2?"

Neumann SKM184 > preamp > Sony PCM-D50

All opinions welcome.

Hello- I have both units. I would go for the usbpre 2 for the following reasons.
1) It is a brand new guaranteed unit.
2) excellent a/d and d/a conversion
3) the plethora of i/o options
4) powering from any usb source
5) the ability to use it as an excellent computer interface
6) 80 db of clean gain with built in pads
7) excellent metering
built in outstanding headphone amp
9) most importantly, superior sound that easily rivals the v2

I would LOCVE to hear a USBPre2 recording! AND a comp of the V2/USBPre2

And I would like to hear a comp of the PSP2 vs. LB w/ IN/OUT Tformers

[dogmusic]

I'm curious to know if anyone has been running the USBPre2 with the Sony D50 and whether you're happy (or even ecstatic) with the results.

[acidjack]

Any thoughts on the USBPre2 vs. the Oade 248?

Yes, I'm looking at Focker's 248 here:  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=142313.0

[kirk97132]

Don't really know anything about a 248, does it do 24 bit?  New....80dB of gain....USB ability. Like I said I don't know anything about a 248 but for the same money I'd get the SD preamp.

[mepaca]

I'm curious to know if anyone has been running the USBPre2 with the Sony D50 and whether you're happy (or even ecstatic) with the results.

I run it 24/96 optical into the d50 and coax into the r-44 at the same time. Last night I also ran analog out into an hhb cd recorder
to give the artist a cd copy to take with him. Yes I am ecstatic with the results. The sound going digital into the d50 will be identical to the
sound going into any other 24/96 recorder with a digital input. Make sure the usbpre 2 has the 1.01 firmware version.

[kirk97132]

New drivers & ASIO drivers are up:
 Whoops sorry the link send you to the USBPre drivers not the Pre2 drivers

[rastasean]

New drivers & ASIO drivers are up:
 Whoops sorry the link send you to the USBPre drivers not the Pre2 drivers

windows pre2 drivers should be released next month.
http://www.digitalproductionbuzz.com/2011/01/13/sound-devices-upgrades-usbpre-2-interface-addition-asio-driver/

The only thing I wish the pre2 had was an off switch but since it only uses 5volts, its no big deal.

[page]

New drivers & ASIO drivers are up:
 Whoops sorry the link send you to the USBPre drivers not the Pre2 drivers

windows pre2 drivers should be released next month.
http://www.digitalproductionbuzz.com/2011/01/13/sound-devices-upgrades-usbpre-2-interface-addition-asio-driver/

The only thing I wish the pre2 had was an off switch but since it only uses 5volts, its no big deal.

yeah, an on-off switch WC in/out, a bunch of luxeries would have been nice actually, but the functionality there makes it generally possible and they kept cost down. Not a knock on your comment, more like a "me too but I'm thankful."

[kirk97132]

So just more info for those interested.
With two condensers on the inputs, gains at a healthy level and headphones with headphone gain at a normal level, you can expect between 175mA and 275mA of draw(approximately). 

I asked in order to verify voltages used on a voltage regulator.  They also said it could max at 500 mA, but as you see that is unlikely.

[braweave]

are there any comparisons between the usbpre2 and the 702/722 pre's out there?

I would love to hear this.

Im trying to decide between UsbPre2 > Bitbucket v.s. 702. From what I can tell It will cost me approx 350-500 more (depending on the route of bitbucket I go) If I go with the 702. However, If the UsbPre2 preamp is inferior to that of the 702 then it *may* be worth the extra.

[F.O.Bean]

are there any comparisons between the usbpre2 and the 702/722 pre's out there?

I would love to hear this.

Im trying to decide between UsbPre2 > Bitbucket v.s. 702. From what I can tell It will cost me approx 350-500 more (depending on the route of bitbucket I go) If I go with the 702. However, If the UsbPre2 preamp is inferior to that of the 702 then it *may* be worth the extra.

I have run a v2/v3/sonosax/m148 and now the 722 pre's, and I even ran a few of those preamps>722, and I must admit I preferred the 7xx pre's the best of all. They are a very neutral and IN YOUR FACE preamp, w/ TONS of detail, but still has a balanced sound overall. Now I'm going to try a Naiant LittleBox>722 and LB>R09/M10 and see if I like those combos. The LB has a warm sound to it, and since mine has both IN/OUT transformers, I'm SURE it will be a nice and clean sound but w/ an overall warmth that should HOPEFULLY pair nicely w/ my MBHO's I really hope I like the LB, because I'll be out about $500.00 if I dont like it since I'/ll have an R09 AND cables to sell. I shoulda just bought the V2 in the YS. huh?

[page]

are there any comparisons between the usbpre2 and the 702/722 pre's out there?

I would love to hear this.

Im trying to decide between UsbPre2 > Bitbucket v.s. 702. From what I can tell It will cost me approx 350-500 more (depending on the route of bitbucket I go) If I go with the 702. However, If the UsbPre2 preamp is inferior to that of the 702 then it *may* be worth the extra.

havnt heard it, but I'm guessing is miniscule. I thought about a 702 to gang with my 722 for stuff and I've turned my attention just to the usbpre2>pcm-d50 combo for the same economic reasons. To me, the question is, will you be ok without the extra power supply or media options as (IMHO) that's the big difference between the two. The 702 can have 2 batteries and if you get a firewire ssd, it can record to 2 mediums simultaniously. The usbpre2 is a single point of failure. Now, I suspect a good 90% or more of the tapers out there work in the single point of failure realm, and there isn't anything wrong with that for the vast majority of gigs. It's just a question of what are you recording and how dependant you are on making sure you get a recording (like doing contract work for a band).

[braweave]

are there any comparisons between the usbpre2 and the 702/722 pre's out there?

I would love to hear this.

Im trying to decide between UsbPre2 > Bitbucket v.s. 702. From what I can tell It will cost me approx 350-500 more (depending on the route of bitbucket I go) If I go with the 702. However, If the UsbPre2 preamp is inferior to that of the 702 then it *may* be worth the extra.

havnt heard it, but I'm guessing is miniscule. I thought about a 702 to gang with my 722 for stuff and I've turned my attention just to the usbpre2>pcm-d50 combo for the same economic reasons.

I thought about the usbpre2>pcm-d50 option. The only question I have is, do they make a right angle Optical cable? I would be running the usbpre2 in a bag and it would be sitting on its back (where the optical out is located.