Pro MPA II : Art budget preamp.

I'm guitar player. My guitar modeling unit - eleven rack, that I use also as an audio interface has only one microphone preamp channel which is not so good. (apparently low quality focusrite preamp)

I wanted to record some stereo acoustic guitar and some vocals and since eleven rack has line inputs so I hooked Art to eleven rack line inputs.

Sound of Art Pro Mpa II unit is warmer and better then eleven rack preamp although a little noisy, especially at front Hi-Z input. Probably new quality tubes will solve this problem.

I have tried Art with Rode NT2000 mic and shure sm57.

Both with good results!

Mid/Side recording is also possible within unit but that is mid/side simulation, not a real deal.

I also tried Art as a DI for bass guitar. I own a avalon U5 unit which is considered as a high-end model instrument DI-preamp. Bass sound obtained from the Art is in every aspect comparable with the sound of Avalon U5 unit except mentioned noise-signal ratio.

One more thing. Unit that I received missed a +4-10 db plastic switch on the back, which is not a big deal but apparently Art's quality control in their Chinese factory should improve.Three stars for quality 'cause of that missing switch.

UPDATE:

I also put new JJ NN003 ECC83S tubes, and the noise mentioned above is gone.Much better now!