What Preamps Compliment the Neumann TLM 103?

[Dave_Wallace]

I know, I know, yet another long-term questi....well, okay. Not really. More like a mid-term question. I'd like to get a Neumann TLM 103 within the next couple of months, but as a long(er)-term question, I'm also looking to upgrade from my DBX 286A preamp. What are some of the preamps out there that compliment the TLM 103 effectively? The Avalon M5 looks good from the initial research I've done, but I figured I'd ask for a second opinion.

[Mike Sommer]

The Golden Age Pre 73

[Dave_Wallace]

Really? That one's a little on the cheaper side (for a preamp, I mean). I know that price doesn't necessarily mean quality, I'm just a tad surprised. It also sounds like some dealers sell modded versions--are any of those worth it?

And actually...Sweetwater says that they don't even carry it, largely implying from this page that it's a quality issue.

[Mike Sommer]

The GAP 73 is a clone of a Neve 1073. It is the bargain of the century. If you want to spend more I can send you to Vintech or Brent Averill for almost the exact same thing, for 3 or 4 times the cost.

Sweewater is no more the guardian of audio equipment, than the kennel club is the guardian of dog kind. They are nothing more than a retailer of equipment.

Go out there and read the reviews. Everyone loves this pre. I LOVE this pre. I know many VO's that have dumped their Avalon's for this pre.

[Dave_Wallace]

Well, you're right, the reviews are definitely glowing for this little thing. Which again makes me all the more suprised that Golden Age is offering this pre at the price that it is. Still, I'm not one to complain for having great equipment at an affordable price! I'd like to just revisit one thing I asked it my last post, though. There seem to be people offering mods of it, like the ones listed here. From what I gather, the mods are meant to make it more similar to the Neve 1073 pre, which you mentioned that the Golden Age 73 pre is essentially supposed to be a clone of. Are any of them worth it, or is it good right out of the box?

[Mike Sommer]

In regards to the mods. THis is a clone, not an exact copy, no clone is an exact copy. If one wants the sound of a real Neve 1073, get the real 1073.
When put to the Pepsi Challenge it is very heard to tell the two apart. Even some Neves sound a little different form one to another.

In terms of the transformers, the original Neve transformers are long gone. What you are getting with the Carnhill transformer mod on the GAP, is just another flavor or sound of the GAP (it is neither better or worse) you are also getting a little more headroom before distortion. This would be good for some situations, but for VO it's not worth the investment IMHO, unless you like farting away money or it makes you feel better spending another $300. It also voids the warranty

As for the GAP being a little thing, the real1073 is not much bigger. The 1073 was nothing more than part of a channel strip section, from a Neve Mixer.
They just had an EQ section with them.



It's not about the sizeof your Preamp, it's about how it sounds.

[lanceblair]

The GAP 73 is a great choice. I would also recommend other preamps like the GAP that give you both a nice transformer and variable input impedance. I use the Focusrite ISA One for this purpose, and pair it with a transformerless Sennheiser MK 4 microphone. The M5 is a great choice too. A preamp that will slow down and beef up the TLM 103 is the way to go...or, you could try a different microphone and keep the dbx. Other transformer preamp choices could be the Great River, Daking, Chameleon Labs, or John Hardy.