Lavry anyone?

[benjet]

Have any of you used Lavry converters? I am going to be ugrading from my 003, and unfortunately because of the automated faders, there is not room for BLA mods. So, from what I'm reading (and my price range) Lavry seems to be a well respected option, with many happy customers.

Do any of you have experience with them?

Thanks ... Tony

[mojobone]

Haven't, but by reputation, they're among the best available. Check out Crane Song's HEDD 192, Burl Audio's B2 Bomber, Antelope, Weiss AD2, Universal Audio 2192 and Dangerous Music for comparable products.

[benjet]

Thanks Mojo,
Dammit man, you're muddying up the waters!

No, seriously, I've read many of your posts, and I get the impression that you have a lot of experience with recording, thanks for taking the time.

I've spent a bit of time searching on the topic on gear related forums - jeez, at some point you have to start to narrow things down or the headache won't go away!

I like your recommendation on the HEDD 192 - I know I would never look back if I went that direction. It's biggest advantage over competitors, from what I read, is that it not only can convert very transparently, but it can also add "color", or "musicality" - which I am interpreting as warming the signal with extremely realistic tape and tube emulators ("Harmonic Enhancement"). But knowing myself, I think I would always convert transparently, for fear of getting a great performance then wanting to tweek the amount of "color" added to the track. I'd rather have the flexibility of warming the signal with plug-ins to taste - without the need to ever re-track.

While Lavry doesn't convert at 192, and it doesn't have as many options (actually the black may have some similar options) - it seems to always be the top choice, or one of the top choices by those that use it along with other converters. I'm don't remember reading about Lavry owners that had complaints with their decision. And as you know, people aren't afraid to complain on these forums!

While these converters will make things sound stunning in the studio, from a realistic perspective, I wonder how much difference they will make on mp3 files, and how long it will take before we will have hi-fidelity music streamed over the internet. In any event, when that day comes, I will be ready ...

[eeoo]

If you like the idea of the BLA mod you might be able to trade your 003 board in to Avid for the latest rack model and then do the BLA mod? Just a thought, high end converters, as you know, are damn expensive so I'm just thinking of ways to save some scratch...

eo

[mojobone]

The Burl is actually pretty cost-effective, compared to the 2192; you can run it clean or hit the input transformers a little harder for some analog grunt; see the review in TapeOp. That said, there's no way you can go wrong with the Lavrys. (and most of that rarefied list leaves Apogee in the dust, again, by reputation; I haven't done any shootouts) My way of thinkin', capture is the most important thing; MP3s are crap, but who knows what formats will come down the pike at some later date? Second most important is DAC, so you can hear what it is you're mixing/mastering.

[benjet]

Thanks Ethan, I can't find any programs online that would allow me to trade down - but while doing the research I did read some promising things about the new HD converters. I know by trading the 003 in I can knock $1000 off of the price, but, I can't figure out if that is a discount, or the trade in amount. Hopefully the latter, because I would hate the think they are offering the same price for an 003 with automated faders, and an 002 rack mount.

Mojo, that's a great article/ review, thanks for the link. I think I'm getting farther and farther from making a decision ....

Going to sleep now, maybe I will wake up with some clarity.

Thanks for the input!

[Dwayne Russell]

Have any of you used Lavry converters? I am going to be ugrading from my 003, and unfortunately because of the automated faders, there is not room for BLA mods. So, from what I'm reading (and my price range) Lavry seems to be a well respected option, with many happy customers.

Do any of you have experience with them?

Thanks ... Tony

I've used them. They are awesome. You will freak out when you hear the difference from what you have now. You will never go back. The low end and high end extension will shock you as to how much you were missing.

Go for it!!

[Len911]

If I hadn't of run out of money, I would have probably bought the Lavry blue modular a/d d/a.
Lavry, Weiss, Prism, are pretty much top of the line, though there are Myteks, and a few others.

If you need 192, and 4mic preamps, and whatever else there is the Prism Orpheus for about $4500.

http://www.proaudioreview.com/article/18432

[benjet]

Thanks for the article Len, another great option. I think at this point I've decided to go with the Lavry's - they have a solid reputation and following, and the price/performance ratio seems to be as good as any in the $2,500 - $4,000 price range.

Thanks for the feedback Dwayne, knowing that you have worked with them and highly recommend is a big help, and confirms what my instincts are telling me. I will probably mull this over until the end of the week, and place the order.

My main signal chain will be - Mic of choice ---> UA LA-610 MK II ---> Lavry ---> Pro Tools.

I am using Pro Tools 8 LE right now, I am almost positive that won't affect the sonic quality since it is digitized. The best upgrade to reduce latency is a different issue, to be discussed in another thread.

Thanks again Mojo, Ethan, Len, and Dwayne!

Tony

[Dwayne Russell]

I am using Pro Tools 8 LE right now, I am almost positive that won't affect the sonic quality since it is digitized.

Not true. It will be the same as any other until you raise the volume. Then PT will not be the same as the others. The best way I know to describe it is that it is thinner.

Remember, I was one of the first in the whole world to use PT and I used it for many years. I know the sound well.

That is why I use Cubase.