Second example I know I'll get hate mail about, but what the hell...is a Grace V3. Rarely hear a source on LMA that has a V3 in the chain that I really like. But so many people love that preamp and frankly, I love its form factor, feature sets, the company, etc. I love everything about it but the sound. I've convinced myself for some reason THREE separate times to buy a V3 even though I know I don't like the sound, only to turn around and sell it within a short time after I bought it.
I couldnt agree more with you buddy
I have even run a v3 a couple of different times as well. I first started using my 1st V3 in like summer of 2003, with my old 480s. I LOVED that combo, at least til I upgraded my playback system, and then once I did that, I was not really happy with the V3s overall sound. Hell, I even bought a MODDED Sony SBM1 ADC to run 480>V3>Analog Out>Sony SBM1, and found that I liked the v3s preamps, but didnt care for the v3s ADC AT ALL
Running the Mod SBM1 def helped tho. And once I got my 722 in early 2006, I ran 480>V3>722 and sold the v3 pretty quick because it was a waste running the v3 just for its preamps. So I sold the V3 and bought a Sax and V2 and ran 480>V2/Sax>722 and eventually sold both preamps because I preferred the 722s preamps
Back then, I was basically a guinea pig and was one of the first ones to run 480>V3, so there werent ANY samples on the LMA for that combo. I wish there was because I wouldve just sold the V3 alot sooner and probably just bought a used V2. I'm JUST like tonedeaf tho, I love EVERY aspect of the V3, well, except for it SOUND
I take that back, I LIKE the V3s preamps for the most part, but never cared for its ADC
So in a nutshell, Im very glad that the LMA exists at all, especially since its a GREAT way to test the waters on which sound you prefer. Just the other day I got on the LMA to search for Schoeps>Aerco MP2 sound, since someone posted that Aerco MP2 for sale. Well, not knocking anyone, but I really didnt care for that particular Schoeps>Aerco MP2 sound at all, so I figured Id just stick with my Schoeps>LB[OT] sound, since thats what I prefer. Im VERY HAPPY that the LMA is around, because I mightve sold one of my LBs and bought that Aerco, and then been NOT HAPPY with the Aerco in the end. So IMO, the LMA saved me close to $600 just the other day
And since finding USED MG caps will be next to impossible, Id go the Schoeps route, but thats MY opinion because those are my FAV mics out there, so take that with a grain of salt
Ive never been a Neumann fan, so I wouldnt got that route either. Id go with Schoeps or DPA, just like H20 suggested!
BTW, which mics do YOU prefer
You've been at this long enough now
So which mics do YOU prefer?