8-channel preamp to ADAT

[Carey Carlan]

Starting a search for 8 more channels of preamps to feed my old Mackie
SDR24/96.

So far I have found the Presonus DigiMax D8 with discrete component class A
amps, word clock in, and ADAT out for about $400.

Anyone have experience with this unit or want to recommend another?

[Arny Krueger]

"Carey Carlan" > wrote in message

> Starting a search for 8 more channels of preamps to feed
> my old Mackie SDR24/96.
>
> So far I have found the Presonus DigiMax D8 with discrete
> component class A amps, word clock in, and ADAT out for
> about $400.
>
> Anyone have experience with this unit or want to
> recommend another?

I have two Behringer ADA8000s that have soldiered on for over 6 years.

[cedricl[_2_]]

On Nov 3, 11:20*am, Carey Carlan > wrote:
> Starting a search for 8 more channels of preamps to feed my old Mackie
> SDR24/96.
>
> So far I have found the Presonus DigiMax D8 with discrete component class A
> amps, word clock in, and ADAT out for about $400.
>
> Anyone have experience with this unit or want to recommend another?

Yea, I've been using the ADAT outs of the Presonus Digimax to add 8
more preamps to my Yamaha DM2000. It's worked flawlessly for about 5
years (or more, I forget when I bought it). It also has discreet line
outs (and individual phantom power) if you want to use those to drive
a recording rig. I'd have no problems buying another one.

[Carey Carlan]

"Arny Krueger" > wrote in
:

> "Carey Carlan" > wrote in message
>
>> Starting a search for 8 more channels of preamps to feed
>> my old Mackie SDR24/96.
>>
>> So far I have found the Presonus DigiMax D8 with discrete
>> component class A amps, word clock in, and ADAT out for
>> about $400.
>>
>> Anyone have experience with this unit or want to
>> recommend another?
>
> I have two Behringer ADA8000s that have soldiered on for over 6 years.

Thanks Arny, I looked at the Behringer. It's $100 cheaper (a third off)
but I think I'd have real use for the analog inserts in the Presonus that
are missing in the Behringer.

[RD Jones]

On Nov 3, 1:20*pm, Carey Carlan > wrote:
> Starting a search for 8 more channels of preamps to feed my old Mackie
> SDR24/96.
>
> So far I have found the Presonus DigiMax D8 with discrete component class A
> amps, word clock in, and ADAT out for about $400.
>
> Anyone have experience with this unit or want to recommend another?

The usual players in this niche are the Presonus and the FocusRite
OctoPre, the new and improved versions seem attractive.
There's Arny's favorite the Behringer ADA8000.

The MOTU 8Pre can be used in "stand-alone" mode but lacks both
direct analog outs and inserts. I've used one of these and while not
stellar, seemed to be fairly neutral.

And lastly there's the discontinued but highly regarded Ramsa
(Panasonic)
WZ-AD96M. The "M" version has preamps, the AD96 is line in only.
It's a great unit if you can find one.

I'm not aware of anything new out in this this type of unit.

rd

[Arny Krueger]

"RD Jones" > wrote in message

> On Nov 3, 1:20 pm, Carey Carlan >
> wrote:
>> Starting a search for 8 more channels of preamps to feed
>> my old Mackie SDR24/96.
>>
>> So far I have found the Presonus DigiMax D8 with
>> discrete component class A amps, word clock in, and ADAT
>> out for about $400.
>>
>> Anyone have experience with this unit or want to
>> recommend another?
>
> The usual players in this niche are the Presonus and the
> FocusRite OctoPre, the new and improved versions seem
> attractive.

> There's Arny's favorite the Behringer ADA8000.

Disclaimer: Like a lot of things I do at this location, the choice of
Behringer is frequently based on meeting very tight budgetary constraints.
On balance, the ADA8000s seem to have worked out. However, mine are
pre-RoHS, so assumptions about the reliability of current production would
be last be at least a little speculative.

[RD Jones]

On Nov 4, 6:53*am, "Arny Krueger" > wrote:
> "RD Jones" > wrote in message
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Nov 3, 1:20 pm, Carey Carlan >
> > wrote:
> >> Starting a search for 8 more channels of preamps to feed
> >> my old Mackie SDR24/96.
>
> >> So far I have found the Presonus DigiMax D8 with
> >> discrete component class A amps, word clock in, and ADAT
> >> out for about $400.
>
> >> Anyone have experience with this unit or want to
> >> recommend another?
>
> > The usual players in this niche are the Presonus and the
> > FocusRite OctoPre, the new and improved versions seem
> > attractive.
> > There's Arny's favorite the Behringer ADA8000.
>
> Disclaimer: Like a lot of things I do at this location, the choice of
> Behringer is frequently based on meeting very tight budgetary constraints..
> On balance, the ADA8000s seem to have worked out. However, mine are
> pre-RoHS, so assumptions about the reliability of current production would
> be last *be at least a little speculative.

So what are the issues with RoHS ? Lead free solder, probably, but
anything else ?
I bought some "high strength" solder a few years ago that contains
silver but I'm
not sure if there's lead in it. If so it may not be available any
longer.

The ADA8000 really nails the price point and feature set for an ADAT
preamp.
For my use, which is a portable/location rig which may get knocked
around a bit,
durability is a concern.

rd

[Arny Krueger]

"RD Jones" > wrote in message


> So what are the issues with RoHS?

Lead free solder typically has a very high percentage of tin. There is a
problem with tin forming whiskers and causing shorts.

> The ADA8000 really nails the price point and feature set
> for an ADAT preamp.

> For my use, which is a portable/location rig which may
> get knocked around a bit, durability is a concern.

I took the tops off to check them out, and the build quality of the two that
I have is OK.