Steve, I have always had a fondness for apogee products. Lot of haters out there but I really liked the mme pre and a/d stage. There were times when I ran an oade m148 in front (Jensen transformers) and did not notice a favorable difference. A little bit tighter in the bottom end maybe, then again the characteristics of the apogee pre was not apparent. What I like is the very deep, 3d image, extemely large soundstage and the "in your face" presence. Not the cleanest pre, colored for sure, but in a good way that my ears like. It just seems to make recordings feel "alive" for lack of a better term. I sold my mme awhile back and regret it. I've used it a variety of settings whether out enjoying myself or using it for work. Oh well, I could buy another but I think I will pick up mmp. I had a chance to play with one recently and was utterly thrilled. Could not have been happier.
As for warm, I sometimes find myself using that word but then thinking what did I really mean.
As for the Jensen transformers and the aerco, I think that is a great choice. You definitly have a versatile pre with the size factor, for section, lowpro or
taping. The apogees are big and cumbersome in the field (big reason I sold mine).
Good luck in your decision
-Jon
i wouldn't describe Jenson transformers as warm (which the aerco now uses). More along the lines of "full", "detailed" with "depth" and a deep "soundstage" with good "3d imaging" (though not the depth and 3d imaging I hear in apogee pres).
Then you like the apogee pres even better than the Aerco? Which of the Apogee's do you prefer?
Sometimes I prefer the aerco, other times the v3 or bg1.. and sometimes the psp2. Depends on the performer/space/mics. As much as I do like mics > 722, I'd hate to give up my pre-amps.
I like options