UA5 mod comparison ("warm" vs. "presence/clarity")

[Craig T]

Doug Oade was nice enough to lend me a "presence/clarity" mod UA5 to compare with the "warm" mod I've been running for some time.  Definitely a different sound - not as much mid-bass, brighter highs, overall a "tighter" sound, IMO.  I'm still not sure which one I prefer - I hope to run it a few more times before returning it.

I'll be happy to trade/b&p some discs of the show.  16/44.1 SHN or 24/48 FLAC.

Will Bernard & Motherbug
April 17, 2003
North-by-Northwest - Philadelphia, PA

Source: ADK A51TL (m/s, on stage)> Oade mod UA5 (set 1: "warm", set 2: "presence/clarity")> Fujitsu Lifebook S6110 (winXP, SF5.0, 24bit/48k)

Sound Forge 5.0: m/s>stereo, 24/48>16/44.1

[save]

hey craig keep us informed on what you find out...i'm still trying to decide if i should pick on of these up or keep my mp-2 and get a AD-20....and if i get a ua-5 should get the clarity or warm mod  

btw i finally got someone to track out that moe. show for me so i'll be sending those disc out to you this week....sorry for the delay!

-Justin

[zhianosatch]

MP2 + AD-20 = 2 mics preamps.  

[save]

lol...i meant adc-20.

-justin

[ducati]

I think what you will prefer will depend highly upon your playback rig..  That's one thing I've learned as of late; people's recommendations of what sounds "better" to them are influenced heavily by the colorations (or lack thereof) imposed by their playback rigs.

Case in point, my playback rig is already tight, focused, very extended highs, and a pinpoint imager.  I prefer running DIN with my XY's against the grain of the Oade folks who specifically told me XY was the best to run with those mics; they claim smearing of the highs and loss of tautness in the bass when running anything but XY.  Not on my playback rig!

I'm a relative newbie in the taping world (<3 years experience) but I'm learning that there are more ways to tailor your sound to your playback rig than I ever imagined!  Mics, pres, a to d's...  LOL as if I didn't have enough tweeking on the playback rig to do

Can you explain differences in imaging and soundstaging between the two units?  I was told by the Oade folks the wmod UA5 gives up some in the highs, and had a bit more midrange coloration...  But the soundstaging and imaging were much better than the pmod..  Thoughts?

[Craig T]

A few more:

a one disc sampler of Big Wu 4/23/03
ADK A51TL (split omnis)> UA5
tracks 1-3: "warm" mod
tracks 4-7: "presence" mod

Base3 (space jazz trio from Philly) 4/21/03
Neumann tlm170 (m/s, stage lip)> UA5
set 1: "wam"
set 2: "presence"

[ducati]

Any thoughts about comments about soundstaging differences between the two units?  Can you explain "tighter" sound?  Or are you leaving it up to us to decide  

[Craig T]

Any thoughts about comments about soundstaging differences between the two units?  

So far I have not noticed any soundstaging/imaging differences.  The first two recordings were both done on stage, so imaging is excellent on both.  I just did that Big Wu show last night with the split omnis fob and haven't really listened to it much.

Can you explain "tighter" sound?  Or are you leaving it up to us to decide  

You'd certainly be better off hearing for yourself and making your own decision.  Sound is a very difficult thing to describe in words, especially when your talking about subtile details.

The warm mod  is warm.  It has a noticeable mid-bass to mid-range bloom which some may find very pleasing.  The low end is full and punchy - kick drums have that 'thump' you can hear and feel.

The presence mod is fast and detailed.  Not as much low end, but certainly enough, and it is very well controlled.  More dynamic (the difference between loud and soft seems greater) - not as mellow sounding as the warm mod, drums have a snap to them, cymball crashes are more up front, kick drums come through with plenty of impact, just not as thumping.  Sounds seem to have sharper edges between them - more detail than the warm mod.

Where the warm mod shines is its silky smooth top to bottom sound, nothing really jumps out, and I don't get annoyed by harsh high end or overcoloration of the sound.  I like the detail of the presence mod, but the high end definitely jumps out at me a bit.  I haven't spent a long time listening to any of the presence mod recordings, so I'm not sure I wouldn't get digititus/audio fatigue keeping me from sitting through a whole set or show.

[ducati]

+T man for the great description!

The pmod sounds like it's definitely not my cup of tea...  my playback rig is already massively resolving of detail, and ruthless with topend-tilted recordings.  I look for that "smooth top to bottom" that you describe hearing from the wmod...  (I like what I hear, too, BTW)

Seriously good description, Craig.  I can well see why some would very much prefer the pmod.  I'm a huge analog fan, so that's not the sound I really enjoy...

+ more T for offering up a B&P

[DaryanLenz]

So, just for curiosity's sake, what exactly, mechanically speaking, are the differences?  What new parts are added to disable the internal pre etc?

Thanks

Daryan

[ducati]

I don't believe Oade Bros. disables the internal pre; I was told they simply replaced some of the parts in the stock pre with hand-selected parts.  I can't remember exactly which ones, tho

[JasonSobel]

this is straight from Oade's site:

the warm mod:
The second mod adds an analog input rebuild to the first mod. This replaces the input capacitors, which are SMD electrolytic ( higher distortion and noise) with SMD film caps ( lower distortion and noise) as well as the input Op Amps. We use very high grade, very low noise Op Amps for this, chosen by ear for a natural and pleasing sound. This mod gives the UA5 a warmer sound, with better depth and high frequency character

the presence mod:
A second "flavor" is available as a "presence" MOD, chosen by ear for a maximum clarity and detail. This mod gives the UA5 a more "up front" sound, with better presence and high frequency detail. Both MODs disable the 1/4" inputs on the front panel, leaving the front panel XLR's and rear panel RCA inputs intact.

[teamakg]

how much does each oade mod cost?

[save]

warm mod is $500 and presence mod is $550

-justin

[creekfreak]

wow, those are expensive mod's