X-treme eSSB Audio FORUM

Well, the W5EFR Station is about to get me some Bellari...

Now, before you throw a party and say "ITs ABOUT TIME!" I need to clarify something...

I am getting a Bellari RP 503.... Its blue, so I don't get to claim I have the Voodoo Bellari Bling, but it is high plate voltage tubes baby...

These babies are discontinued, but I have been stalking on quite a few audio forums and found out with a couple op-amp upgrades and a tube swap, it turns into a pretty respectable pre-amp...

So this SHOULD be a step up from my Behringer ULTRAVOICE VX2000.. and its Bellari...

So my question is.. any of you Voodoo Audioheads ever played with one?

Have any upgrade suggestions?

Update:

I was able to play with my rack last night...

Here is what my Old Rack sounded like with the Behringer VX-2000 Ultra Voice Pro:
http://riley-music.com/BowsStuff/Bellar ... VX2000.mp3

This is the Rack with the STOCK Bellari RP503 Installed:

http://riley-music.com/BowsStuff/Bellar ... ellari.mp3

And Finally the Bellari RP503 after I modified it. New Op Amps and a Different Tube:

http://riley-music.com/BowsStuff/Bellar ... ellari.mp3

Comments welcome

Howdy Bow,
Well there is some good and some bad.

The first recording of the stock vx2000 sounded real good through all the Static.
Sounded like you had a bad connection somewhere.
Also on all the recordings, you have some bad plosives (P-Popping).
Ribbons are super sensitive to this, We would suggest a double pop screen and some more distance from the mic.
Some Compression could help also.
This recording had the most 'In Your Face' sound stage.
You were up close and brash in this recording.
The low frequency response was a little lacking.

The Second recording was definitely smoother and more relaxed.
You were more laid back and intimate in this recording.
The low frequency response is much better and is now unbalancing the frequency spectrum.
This is also increasing the plosives considerably.
It is a little muddy and needs to be shaped with an EQ.
There is definitely some 60cps Hum in there.

The Third recording is less then stellar.
We realize that you have not burnt in the tube or Op Amps yet and that will make a difference.
You lost allot of the high frequency response.
It is just not there.
This might be tricking you into thinking that the S/N Ratio is lower.
Also, you are too far back into the Sound Stage, like there is a 'Veil' between you and the listener.
This is very similar to the Burr Brown Veil.
It will be difficult to tell what caused this because you changed too many things at one time.
We would suggest taking the 5751 Tube out and burning in the Op Amps to see if that is the cause.
Then change the Tube and burn it in and compare.
If it is the Op Amps, which We think it is, you really need to try some AD823's in there.
You will NOT be disappointed, guaranteed.
We will go so far as to say We will buy them from you if you don't like them.
How's that for confidence?

Take Care,

Thanks for the reply and inputs Voodoo Guru!

I'll work on the settings and such when I get a chance. My free time has been a bit limited since the XYL returned from her trip.

I am going to use the second, currently unused channel of my DBX 266XL Compressor/Gate for the noise gate, when I get a chance to pick up some cables...

Also, the ceiling fan in my "Studio/Spare Bedroom" isn't helping a lot with ambient noise...

I'll work on it.