There ought to be a law against tempting a gear addict.

D'oh... Was thinking about one of the new Octo cards when they are available, but this really looks like a deal.  I thought those preamps were going for a lot more than that. 

Now you've got me researching to figure out if it will connect digitally to my RME FireFace 400.  Got a little more reading to do, but it looks like I could hook it up with an ADAT connector.  Dammit UAD... (and Dave for pointing out this one.)

Haha Bit, that is funny as hell.

Well, I got to play with those preamps recently. Was not impressed. So temper your enthusiasm with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Sure thing. I grabbed the local rep at GC one evening about a month ago. We used a Groovetubes GT69 and a Neuman U87 and tested an Avalon 737, UA610, LA610 and the 4-710d on vocals. I wanted to see the difference in all of them because I was thinking about the UA 610 for some tube color to my preamp base.

I was not impressed with the 610 on either mic. It was for lack of a better term "woolly" sounding. Just very rounded by also very grainy sounding. Next we tried the LA610 which was very similar. I have an LA2A so the LA side of the LA610 was not of interest. The 710d was extremely neutral sounding almost to the point of being flat. The tube control took it into the zone of the 610 that I had already decided was not something I could use. I was not impressed by either of the UA preamps for vocal. They might have won the day on instruments but not for vocals. We also tried the Avalon, which was warm but big sounding, clear, and the vocals were much more enhanced with both mics although the U87 was more polished sounding. The advent of the tube in the GT69 along with the tubes in all 3 models always seemed a bit too "tube" sounding. This mic sounds better with a transformer-based preamp. I have a Neve Portico 5012 which works much better with this mic.

I thought the 710 was akin to maybe Mackie mixer preamps on the normal side and even though it brought the tube on the other side, it was not impressive at that cost. I would rather take that amount of money and get a Martech or Avalon preamp.

I'm happy enough with my single 710 twin finity.  I got it with an included UA2 Solo card.  I've been looking at buying a second unit but I won't buy one at street price.   I think they are a good unit that is in between my Soundcraft mixer pres and my Avalon.  I don't use them for a tubey sound and just use them transparent to 50% max.  If I want tubey, I just use my GT66 or use the Avalon.  

I'd be happy with the bundled deal they've got going.

As far as Gearslutz, there's someone to hate anything there.

Middleman

Middleman

jcschild


alas  mic pres, converters mics guit-fiddles are all in the subjective area.
 

So true. I had a specific goal, a tube preamp for vocals. On this day, with those mics, those were the results. Also note, we did not test any instruments and I have heard the 610 is stellar for bass guitar. So you have to take my findings in context. Additionally for the $1995 price of the 710s which are interesting but not exceptional there are so many proven better preamps for vocals that it makes sense to look at Great River, Martech, Neve Portico, Daking. These are much better choices for this purpose.
 
If I needed 4 preamps in this price range I would even look at the Focusrite Producer pack. More features and better utility preamps in my book. (Now that comment is highly opinionated) . Finally I am not the first to share my opinon on the 710d. I have read similar reviews at Gearslutz.

hard to disagree with, i thought your comments were well laid out and very discriptive.. and i am the last guy to debate as my ears @ 51 are at this point getting really bad.. highs are nearly gone... way too much rock and roll when younger and contruction tools thru my 30's  :-)  (until i started ADK)
 
Mod Bod hit the nail on the head with GS..  
$1999 is way too high.. ask around and you may find them for 15-20% less..