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Manley vs. Millennia vs. Avalon DI's???

jokerjkny

jokerjkny

Jan 19, 2002
13,427
54
NY / NJ / PHL
www.instagram.com
#1
any word on these incredible DI's?

had a chance to visit the GC that recently opened here in Manhattan, and finally tried out the Avalon.

and WOAH! despite playing my Sadowsky reverse PJ thru two little 5" $300 monitors, i could tell the Avalon was waaaaay glossier, richer, and sweeter sounding, that made the still cool Radial active DI sound papery and boxy.

but how do these other mucho expensive boxes match up? the Millenia TD-1 seems like a really cool choice, thx to the onboard HV preamp, fully parametric EQ, and "speaker soak" option for running amp heads straight into the board.

anyone try 'em?
 
#2
Lately, I've been playing smaller gigs running through my Avalon U5 direct to the board. I set the tone control to No.4 and do the rest of my EQing at the bass. The PA is usually two Mackie 1530's and two SWA-1501's. It sounds REALLY good.

I don't have any experience with the other units you mentioned. I think it'd be a kick to run through an Avalon Vt737-sp, though.
 
#3
One of my friends has an Avalon vt737 in his little home studio. He runs pretty much anything he can through it. Having one in a live rig would be ridiculous.

Bassplayer did a review a while ago of a few high end preamps, including the avalon 737 and I think the other preamps you mentioned. I don't remember it too well, but I think basically all of them sounded great, and it was really personal preference as to which sounded better.

You might be able to find more information about these pres from a recording forum such as www.homerecording.com
 
#5
Joker, I remember meeting the Manleys and checking out a ton of their stuff when I used to write for Stereophile and The Absolute Sound back in the early nineties. Without exception, it sounded rich and on the warm side. Very expensive, of course. David Manley was a rather eccentric fellow as I recall. And I believe his daughter or wife pretty much ran the biz. It's been a while so memory is fuzzy. But that gear was killin'! :D
 
#6
Originally posted by jokerjkny
Phatty,

you're right! i totally forgot. anyone remember which issue? i've got most every back issue from this year.
Click to expand...

I can't remember the month but it was the edition that had the salute to James Jamerson. James was on the cover. I've got it at home so if you don't get a reply, I check back to let you know.
 
#8
The high-end recording preamp story will appear again in Bass Player's annual "Bass Gear" special issue (soon to be available at your neigborhood newstands).
A brief tone synopsis:
Avalon VT-737-SP: Slick and polished, think Nathan East and smooth jazz.
Focusrite ISA 220: Punchy and forward, think assertive rock.
Manley VoxBox: Exceptionally organic midrange detail, think lots of vintage-vibed woody character and outstanding presence in the mix.
Millennia Media STT-1 Origin: Unbelievably transparent in solid-state mode, most invisible-sounding preamp I've heard. Imagine a psychic connection between your bass and your power amp.
Tube Tech MEC-1: Pultec-derived inductor-based EQ (like Manley VoxBox). A bit smoother and more laid back than Manley VoxBox. Think James Jamerson.
 
#9
thx!

found it. unfortunately, these are mostly about super high end preamps, and i'm just interested in the DI's. oh well... i guess i could use their thoughts as helpful measures.

but thx again guys!

EDIT:

lol, i guess Terry chimed in, while i was typing my response. T, have any opinions about their DI's? :D
 
#10
Millennia Media STT-1 Origin: Unbelievably transparent in solid-state mode, most invisible-sounding preamp I've heard. Imagine a psychic connection between your bass and your power amp.
Click to expand...

Thanks to Mr. Terry, I'm the proud owner of the Millennia Media STT-1 Origin. Terry's right; it is unbelievable! :D

A new Millennia Media TD-1 will be in my hot little hands on Monday. I'll give a report on it next week.

Mark

AccuGroove
 
#11
Originally posted by Whappo Grande
Thanks to Mr. Terry, I'm the proud owner of the Millennia Media STT-1 Origin. Terry's right; it is unbelievable! :D

A new Millennia Media TD-1 will be in my hot little hands on Monday. I'll give a report on it next week.

Mark

AccuGroove
Click to expand...

funny, but i just saw Accugroove as one of the "users" on their website. would love to hear a report!

FYI, for now, i'm leaning a bit on the Manley side, cause of the great things i hear about it, and the very cool company.
 
#13
Hi,

I got the Millennia TD-1 with the HV-3 & Mullard upgrade recently and I have to say that it is one of the best purchases I have made in a long time (apart from my Overwater custom VI).

Conveniently enought the headphone output is optimised for Sennheiser HD-600 which I also happen to own. Plugging my bass into the HV-3 mic in (from XLR out on my bass) and hearing myself back through the HD-600's surely has to be the shortest and cleanest signal path out there and reveals the sort of tone I NEVER though I'd hear from my bass (Overwater custom VI). It really is the cleanest pre-amp I've heard. Absolutely stunning. Also, the ability to use solid state or tube with the instrument input is useful. The tube gives a nice warm sound to the bass, although I prefer the sound of the HV-3 channel - clean but by no means sterile.

Also, I've already used it as a pre for steel stung and classical guitar, snare drum and toms (you CAN NOT overload this thing).

Another thing worth pointing out is that it seems to let my bass be my bass. i.e. if you have a **** sounding bass, you're going to have a **** output - rubbish in, rubbish out. I'll likely be uploading some audio clips of the Overwater through the TD-1 at some point and if I do I'll be sure to post it here.

Oh - and it's definitely built to last.

Hooray for the Millennia TD-1!

Douglas.
 
#14
Originally posted by Phat Ham
I found it!

It's the December 2002 issue. the pres reviewed are the Avalon vt-737sp, Focusrite ISA220 Session Pack, Manley Voxbox, Millennia Media STT-1 Origin, and TubeTech MEC 1A.
Click to expand...

I own the Manley and I also own the Mellinia STT-1 Origin. Both are excellent preamps and not just a fancy DI.

You can read a review done by my husband at the links below.

http://www.recording.org/e-mag/article_94.shtml

http://www.recording.org/e-mag/article_90.shtml


Ev Anna Manley is a regular at www.recording.org

Invalid Link Removed
Treena
 

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