Comparison: mk4's > nbox platinum > DR-2D vs mk4's > PFA > mp-3

[checht]

At Hardly Strictly Bluegrass this month, recorded sitting next to a friend and thought it would be interesting to compare our recording chain, as we were both running mk4's with active cables.

The two setups, not in any particular order:
mk4's > nbob kcy > nbox platinum > DR-2D
mk4's > KCY 250/0 lg > Naiant PFA 60v > MP-3

We were sitting side by side, mics at same height  . Did my best to match the gains; if anyone can get it closer, that'd be helpful.

The 2 stereo waves, along with Audacity project files with both stereo waves, in this folder:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9bkaklgwozhnkb4/AADHqWl913ez2rK95XInmw7da?dl=0

Interested in whether folks can pick out which is which, and what differences are heard..

[TheMetalist]

My guess is that #1 is Nbox Platinum. That sample sounds natural and sample #2 is a bit hotter. Both sounds great, just different characteristics.

I have personally never used Platinum with MK4 but I have used it with MK41V and AKG 61/63. So, my guess is just a guess.

[tedyun]

Wow the differences are pretty noticable here. I preferred tommy comp2. I found the soundstage wider; low end and mid range more present. The differences could be due to mic placement? Eg., was tommy comp1 in XY and tommy comp2 in DIN?

Playback: PC > Foobar (ABX Comparator plugin) > USB > Sound Devices USBPre2 > Yuin OK1 Headphones

I would guess that tommy comp2 is the nbox based on the fact that the transformers are supposed to smoothen the sound.

At Hardly Strictly Bluegrass this month, recorded sitting next to a friend and thought it would be interesting to compare our recording chain, as we were both running mk4's with active cables.

The two setups, not in any particular order:
mk4's > nbob kcy > nbox platinum > DR-2D
mk4's > KCY 250/0 lg > Naiant PFA 60v > MP-3

We were sitting side by side, mics at same height  . Did my best to match the gains; if anyone can get it closer, that'd be helpful.

The 2 stereo waves, along with Audacity project files with both stereo waves, in this folder:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9bkaklgwozhnkb4/AADHqWl913ez2rK95XInmw7da?dl=0

Interested in whether folks can pick out which is which, and what differences are heard..

[adrianf74]

My guess is comp 1 is the nBox Platinum and comp 2 is the PFA/MP3 showing off what the MP3 can do.  Personally, while comp 2 seems to have more of a soundstage, as Tedyun pointed out, I actually prefer the sound of comp 1 which seems flatter and more natural.

Curious to see which is which. I've voted.

[checht]

Comp 1 is the PFA  > MP3 signal path.

Very interesting to read the various comments, thanks for your input.

Going to 3 CRB shows @ the Fillmore in December, and could probably borrow a couple other sets of caps to use while in SF.
Thinking to do three comparisons:
MSTC64 > MP6 vs mk4's (ORTF) > KCY 250/0 lg > Naiant PFA 60v > MP-6
and
MSTC64 > MP6 vs mk4v's (ORTF?) > KCY 250/0 lg > Naiant PFA 60v > MP-6
and
mk4's (ORTF) > KCY 250/0 lg > Naiant IPA > Roland R-09 vs mk4's > nbox platinum > DR-2D