This might be a good opportunity to swap it out for something a bit newer maybe with a nice transformer front end followed by quality solid state electronics and electronically balanced outputs. This will give you the cleaner sound when you need it. It should have plenty of output to drive the Delta. And upgrading that is always an option. You will more than likely get a better sounding interface now.

Good points - all. Regardless of the offer, both the preamp and the delta sell reasonably well on ebay. I would like to get something clean with a little bit of roundness to the sound without breaking the bank. Is there a particular preamp you like?

To close up and do a followup: I received the new balanced cables today (cannon to trs) and I'm a little frustrated and also very happy. :)

I listened to some folks telling me years ago to bypass the transformers and not use the balanced outputs. They are flat out wrong, and I was wrong for not fully checking it out. The frustration is with me more than anything. I was operating a great sound tool at less than optimum level. The difference is large.

This preamp is more than great sounding now. There is something screwy going on using the unbalanced outs at +4. It should work that way, but as another user stated on another forum, it just sounds nasty and boxy. Using the unbalanced out of the vmp2 to -10 on the delta produces a very good sound. I would have been happy with that for a long time. However, the sound I'm getting from the balanced to balanced running at +4 is outstanding. Clear with lots of  gain and thick character. I shudder at thinking I was considering getting rid of it. 

Thank You to all who offered advice and education. It was very worthwhile and I really appreciate it!!!  You guys are the best and why I rather trouble shoot here than anywhere.


Thanks Again!!

Well Dave I am glad to hear that things seemed to have worked out. At least this is the cheapest option by far as you have gained much better performance by the sound of it from a modest outlay.

Interesting though because from reading the manual it really comes across that the unbalanced outs are delivering the same signal level for which they are not it seems. I assume you can get a nice clear waveform with no apparent squaring off or clipping in the waveform now running at +4 setting.

Keeping the Peavey sounds like a good idea but perhaps entertain the idea of still investing on a clean solid state preamp that has a nice transparent sound perhaps with no output transformers and then you will have the option of recording through either giving you the best of both worlds.

AT


Glad you got it sorted out and kept the peavy.  Although if I had some extra cash around I might have offered you a deal ;-)

:) You have been very helpful and I appreciate that. I'm still kicking myself for going all this time and not really maximizing the sound. Thank you, this unit is a keeper. I recorded with it last night and was shaking my head at the full sound. Like it!  :)

The Warm does look and sound good on the clips I heard. I was reaching for my wallet a couple of days ago... I think I would be very happy with that one.

Something on the light, clear and round side of things might be a good companion for the peavey. Right now though, this one sounds so nice it feels like a new toy anyway. The before and after is night and day. I didn't expect such a change - real happy so I'll be patient for a while longer.

Thanks for giving me the preamp info - that and maybe upgrading my soundcard are both on the wish list.



---- Just checked out your site and your review on Focusrite - wow! Great review! Listening to T for Texas right now. That is a really cool song!! 

Thanks again for helping!