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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: seekup40 on October 25, 2003, 08:13:01 PM

Title: how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: seekup40 on October 25, 2003, 08:13:01 PM
I am thinking about purchasing one, anyone have one, how do you like it

as of now im running at853s > battery box > d8, would this be a good addition for me?
Title: Re:how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: Sean Gallemore on October 25, 2003, 08:28:25 PM
it works well with that rig, just make sure to get some attenuators
Title: Re:how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: chuckcage on October 25, 2003, 10:10:47 PM
I love my AD-20.  There are drawbacks: no meters of any kind, and the knobs are tiny and have no real markings so you have to watch levels really close to get the balance correct.

I just think it exemplifies KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) in action.  9 hrs on a single 9v, good sound, etc.

Chuck
Title: Re:how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: seekup40 on October 25, 2003, 10:17:00 PM
is this a good deal?

perfect condition denecke/zefiro ad-20 with aftermarket knobs installed.  I'll also include an attenuator cable and a 1/8" fem > dual male xlr cable if you want them.  $220 shipped.


I was also thinking about the ua-5 but that will run for about $350
Title: Re:how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: zhianosatch on October 25, 2003, 10:35:13 PM
The AD-20 is a great unit for the price, and for stealthing too! I highly recommend it for any beginner.
But there is NO way that the battery lasts 9 hours. In my experience I'd trust it for no more than 4 TOPS.
That said, just bring spares! :)
Armen
Title: Re:how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: RobC on October 26, 2003, 03:01:14 AM
I still use my AD-20 with my Neumann KM184s,  I would rather see and tape more shows right now than spend the money to upgrade.  I think it works great.

Don't waste your time and money on 9 volt throw away batteries,  get a 9.6 volt recharagable RC Car battery,  charger and make a caple with a 1/8 mono mini plug (thats what is used for external power on an AF-20) on one end and the plug that goes into the battery on the other.  You can run it all day long with power to spare on a single charge.  It will pay for itself in no time.
Title: Re:how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: RobC on October 26, 2003, 02:34:19 PM
In my attempt to be a good salesman (that's my ad-20 for sale) i'd like to emphasize that mine has the nice, big, easy to use and read knobs installed

Hey where did you get these nice big knobs?
I was looking for some for a while but had no luck.
Title: Re:how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: cpclark on October 26, 2003, 05:13:00 PM
i loved my ad-20, sold it a little while ago to upgrade, but the sound cant be beat from the price, brian costigans adk's sound great with it and rob's 184's sound really good too, i think its a good match for any mic, pretty clear and transparent, the low's are a bit light, but for the money, an outstanding all in one pre/ad, go for it, you wont be dissapointed
Title: Re:how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: seekup40 on October 27, 2003, 11:02:11 AM
In my attempt to be a good salesman (that's my ad-20 for sale) i'd like to emphasize that mine has the nice, big, easy to use and read knobs installed along with ~$50 worth of brand new cables.
People mentioned above the knobs might be a bit small and you will need an attenuator - buy this one and you're all set. Sure I'm biased, but i still think it's more than fair :)
Sounds like I may be fairly interested, I'll get back to you when i get home this afternoon. This is the relbgfish1@aol.com if you didnt know
Title: Re:how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: nic on October 27, 2003, 11:25:50 AM
Ive used the AD20 with AKG 391 and MG m200....it has a great sound(never experienced the "quiter low end" some people speak of) for the price.
if your using a dat you just use the level meters on the dat.

1 word of caution. if you will be using the mini-coax out, be carefull about accidentally hitting the cable while recording or you may end up with a slight dropout. never used the optical out.
Title: Re:how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: willndmb on November 02, 2003, 04:26:24 PM
i love mine
yes you have to watch the levels close
however the dat should show you levels
the knobs have a little notch in them, at shows its hard to see but its there
what you can do, and i actually did was put a "ultra fine point" sharpie marker in a few places where the knobs were exactly matched
that way at shows its faster and easier to see

the battery last around 5 hrs tops
Title: Re:how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: pfife on November 02, 2003, 04:50:47 PM
In my attempt to be a good salesman (that's my ad-20 for sale) i'd like to emphasize that mine has the nice, big, easy to use and read knobs installed along with ~$50 worth of brand new cables.
People mentioned above the knobs might be a bit small and you will need an attenuator - buy this one and you're all set. Sure I'm biased, but i still think it's more than fair :)

How much are you selling it for?
Title: Re:how are denecke/zefiro ad-20?
Post by: BCostigan on November 02, 2003, 05:37:09 PM
I always use the optical out (to d7) and have never had a problem with it.   I don't think the bass is thin either...at least not with the ADKs.   IMHO for about $200 there is no better pre/ad out there.  If these things provided phantom power I think a lot more folks would be using them.