DAV BG-1 vs. Milllennia HV-3: CHOIR samples

[ISedlacek]

Here are the promised samples:

A friend of mine (also Ivo :-) did direct AB samples between DAV and Millennia while recording a choir. (A pair of Schoeps MK-21 and Mytek stereo AD).

Please, be aware that the samples are not 100% identical (the opening phrase is sung in a different timbre in both cases etc.), neither is the dynamics, so this comparison gives just an (interesting) overall picture of the "sound mood" of both high end units.

Since I was not there and am just a listener in this case, I can maybe also share my impressions: they somehow confirm my previous detailed tests and comparisons. Millennia sounds a tiny bit "sharp" and flat to my ears, while DAV sounds more full, musical and euphonic, with slightly bigger sound depth and a deeper emotional appeal. On the other hand, my friend says DAV sounds slightly "under a blanket" to his ears. YMMV, of course.

Millennia HV-3

DAV BG-1

[jlsgear]

fyi - I have a BG-1 for sale ... not yet posted cause I am deciding which other items I want to include with the ad.

pm if interested.

John in Ottawa, canada.

[andredb]

I like the DAV better... yet it could be the performance which is a lottle better too...

DAV has more depth for sure...

[Snatchman]

To my ears, the Mellenia sounds more "hi-fi". The Dav sounds more like as if I was actually in the room/venue with the choir..! ( YMMV)....

[ironinthepath]

I like the DAV better as well...its primarily because I feel like the male voices come in with more detail..and did the triangle person move between the takes?..its as if it comes alive in the DAV clip. By no means is the millennia bad, but I am surprised at how I perceive the DAV to be better...especially with the price difference...I will have to do some more research on this thing...

but I also think that in this case it might be hard to tell the difference between a better take and the better pre for the job.
-Chris

[T.RayBullard]

Yes, the DAV sounds much more euphonic and less harsh than the Millennia.. as always.

[Plush]

Further to the point. . .

The DAV Electronics BG range are the world's best mic amps.

[Albert]

I also prefer the BG-1, but either would be a fine choice.

In actuality, I'm quite surprised at the difference in sound between them. I agree that the BG-1 has more of a "feel like I'm there" type vibe to it. I seem to hear the hall better and the natural reverb. The Millenia does have more of a hi-fi type sheen to it. The upper end seems less smooth.

But the Millenia also seems to have none of the slight mid range push that the BG-1 has.

I'm still trying to properly categorize the sound of the BG-1. I'm not sure if a slightly hyped mid range is correct or not.

You don't notice it so much just with the BG-1 by itself. I also bought a BG-4 comp/limiter recently, and when I chained them the result was definitely too dark and got muddy. Still learning how to use both though, so please let me have the freedom to correct myself in more detail on that later if need be.

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by Albert

I'm still trying to properly categorize the sound of the BG-1.

Instantly likeable?

-R

[T.RayBullard]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

Instantly likeable?

-R

[mr.gefell]

transformer sound without transformers?

[snappydad]

Originally Posted by mr.gefell

transformer sound without transformers?

+1!!

[Albert]

Yeah, there's this clarity with warmth that the BG-1 has. Very hard to describe.

[RKrizman]

Is there a US dealer for the DAV?

-R

[T.RayBullard]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

Is there a US dealer for the DAV?

-R

Mick does not deal with Retailers. doesnt want them sticking their hand in the pot and driving the price up.

Deal with him directly.

mick@davelectronics.com

or davelectronics@tiscali.co.uk

[dingo]

Ivo. Thanks for the samples. DAV, Schoeps, DPA, Horch, Gefell. I greatly appreciate your taking the time to post them.

Cheers

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by dingo

Ivo. Thanks for the samples. DAV, Schoeps, DPA, Horch, Gefell. I greatly appreciate your taking the time to post them.

Cheers

Ditto - tho don't get uptight with the changes too, brutha - we need your insight and tireless comparison/testing around here, regardless of what forum things end up in! thumbsup

[ISedlacek]

It has been always a pleasure for me to occassionaly visit this place, to meet nice people with the same passionate hobby (some new inspiring friendships were developed here, resulting even in personal meetings ) and to exchange opinions about things we like (and I also learned a lot here). If I can be kept out from some local behind scene politics and intrigues (which I am not interested in) and can be alowed to stay in the room I choose, our nice chats can go on ...

That said, the DAV discovery was very interesting for me. It also seems that next month I will have an opportunity to try Gordon preamp. A direct comparison with DAV could be very exciting ...

[Schaap]

Ivo, don't go in politics!!

I'm really looking forward to hear the Gordon preamp against DAV . Read alot about the Gordon but never heard it.

Henk

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Snatchman

To my ears, the Mellenia sounds more "hi-fi". The Dav sounds more like as if I was actually in the room/venue with the choir..! ( YMMV)....

What is actually meant by "hi-fi" sound ? I am (seriously) not sure about it.
Having more HF ?

[mr.gefell]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

It has been always a pleasure for me to occassionaly visit this place, to meet nice people with the same passionate hobby (some new inspiring friendships were developed here, resulting even in personal meetings ) and to exchange opinions about things we like (and I also learned a lot here). If I can be kept out from some local behind scene politics and intrigues (which I am not interested in) and can be alowed to stay in the room I choose, our nice chats can go on ...

That said, the DAV discovery was very interesting for me. It also seems that next month I will have an opportunity to try Gordon preamp. A direct comparison with DAV could be very exciting ...

hey you're auditioning the model 5?

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by mr.gefell

hey you're auditioning the model 5?

I must ask Mr.Big Ray about it ... he may borrow it from his mentor and bring here when visiting me next month

[jacobq]

I found the HV-3B had a much more sweeter sound in the hiigher register. Especially in the sibilance of each vocal word.
I found the DAV to sound less pronounced almost tubish.
It seems it would be easy to make the HV-3B sound like this much duller sound. It would be very difficult to do vice -versa.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by jacobq

It seems it would be easy to make the HV-3B sound like this much duller sound. It would be very difficult to do vice -versa.

Try it

I actually did - added a tiny bit of HF, that showed the same things as Millennia in the top end, but retained the fullness,sweetness and depth that Millennia does not have ... Removing the extra HF from Millennia does not make it to retain the slightly missing bottom ..
The main thing that prevents me from apprecciating Millennia sound is a touch of "thin, sharp coldness" ... so to say ...

[Jamz]

For me the Millennia sample has excellent clarity but it also sounds thin and a bit hard.
The BG-1 sample has more body to my ears.
If the BG-1 is perceived as slightly "tubish" perhaps rather than adding highs taking a little out somewhere between 200hz - 300hz might do the trick.

Ivo
Schoeps are generally pretty bright mics. How does your Horch sound through the BG-1 and how do you feel it compares to the Pendulum MDP-1?
Price point in mind as well.

[Plush]

As the original BG freak here, I can tell you that the BG range is not so much "tubish" as it is transformer-ish. Frequency response is very even.
There is a touch of 'lush' to the BG sound---always flattering.

Schoeps are far from a bright sound, in my opinion. Of course, they may sound bright if you're listening on a Chinese mic amp. . .

There is a magic and a true value to the DAV BG range. I'm continuing to conclude that after 25 years in the classical recording business, the DAV is the best mic amp in the world.

Gordon???----why?
In my opinion, it is overkill.
If you want overkill, get the original Crookwood paintpot. Overkill in spades!!!!!!!
extended freq. response, dual balanced topology, best parts, velvety SILENT background palette, etc.

The Crookwood Paintpot is down -3dB@500,000Hz.

[u b k]

Originally Posted by Snatchman

To my ears, the Mellenia sounds more "hi-fi". The Dav sounds more like as if I was actually in the room/venue with the choir..! ( YMMV)....

not to be a ballbreaker... doesn't your description of the dav exemplify the definition of "hi-fi"? high fidelity, i.e., extremely faithful to reality?

i for one would love to hear the bg-1 side by side with the mss-1. uberclarity deathmatch!


gregoire
del ubik

[Plush]

I posit that "hi-fi," as it is referred to here, means etched sound in the treble with a laboratory clean (read sterile) sound.

That is not the sound of DAV.

DAV is flattering without any brightness.
DAV is faithful to the freq response of the source
DAV is adding a bit of syrup, but without ANY veiled sound.

MSS-1?---why
It typifies west coast hi fi sound. Think JBL L-100!

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Jamz

Ivo
Schoeps are generally pretty bright mics. How does your Horch sound through the BG-1 and how do you feel it compares to the Pendulum MDP-1?
Price point in mind as well.

Well, I am not sure about that extra brightness ... All Schoeps I have (MK4V, MK21 and MK2) sound quite faithful to me ...

As for Horch , I tried it on few instruments (violin, flutes, drums). I even had a pair here for few days. Although it sounds fabulous on vocals, I found it not that exciting on instruments - slightly "tubey" or a bit"hairy" sound. I definitely prefered Schoeps for my type of instruments ...

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Plush

Gordon???----why?
In my opinion, it is overkill.
If you want overkill, get the original Crookwood paintpot. Overkill in spades!!!!!!!
extended freq. response, dual balanced topology, best parts, velvety SILENT background palette, etc.

The Crookwood Paintpot is down -3dB@500,000Hz.

No, I am not thinking of purchasing Gordon. Just trying it from an academical interest, once there is an opportunity and I hear a lot of special comments about it.