I saw a review of both Prophet 5 and 10 REV4, and the guy preferred the sound of P10.
But also seen DIY preamps, that incorporate OP-amp chips that are found in hi end preamps that are one chip $50 range in price.
The transport of signal through a unit from oscillators to output would be a number of op-amps and money to be saved have a lower grade cheaper chips. Maybe not easily heard as worse in one stage, but through a couple of stages you it starts to be obvious.
Already beginning 90's I started using external DAC's in my hifi to improve on what is there on each CD/DVD/BD player. Finding a project online to upgrade those DAC's was also one thing I did with very interesting results. Just upgrading capacitors did remarkable improvement in sound.
At the end of a DAC there is usually a differential amplifier that take on the dual differential outs from the DAC chip itself. Experimenting with upgrading that differential amp chip make a difference and tried a few. But just removing it and making it single ended output from one of the pins on DAC chip was the very best sound. So lost some dB in level, but sound improved quite a bit.
I've also seen such projects on RME cards to upgrade capacitors and such with some improvement.
I use a Mackie Onyx mixer to run all line outs from synths I have since sounding much better on those phones out than the gear itself. So a patch bay fix that easily making sounds playing around etc.
So thinking that picking higher grade components can make huge difference in how hardware synths sound. IMO the Nordlead 2X I have is clearly better quality chips than DeepMind 6 I would say, even being analog.
So this new units from Behringer, like UB-Xa and also the Pro 16 is on the way and estimated to be below $1500 or so.
Huge number of components there, 32 oscillators, 16 filters with envelopes and lots of components in between.
Wouldn't it be better with just 8 voices target and make a step up on components selling an 8-voice for $1500 instead?
The price point of the new OB-X8 and Prophet REV4 certainly allow to pick higher grade stuff everywhere.
Some difference that people notice in sound probably has to do with better components all the way.
Did anybody see DIY projects to upgrade synth components?
I saw on Sequential forum that there are makers of stereo out for Prophet REV4 to make voices panned left/right. But one wonders is the quality of electronics involved reducing on what is there in these high end units?
Although I like my DeepMind 6, sound is not like Prologue 8 or Polybrute. I have to admit Prologue is something above Polybrute in sound itself.
Is it due to higher grade components?
- or it could be imagination of course, but Prologue is more sturdy and clear kind of than Polybrute.
- Polybrute is just a bit muddy I must say
- but could be different sound pressure level that makes my ears have different frequency response. Discovered the same thing mixing sometimes that sound change if less loud and such, more flat curve if higher SPL.
But love the Polybrute to bits, just a reflection over final quality of the tone.
I compared noise floor on Prologue and Polybrute and Prologue was around -40 dB and Polybrute around -55 dB or so. Some has complained over Polybrute noise floor is a bit high. Still something about the tone of Prologue that I favour.
Nuances of course, like in many cases comparing hifi equipment and such.
Reasons that high end studios pick preamps for $2000 and up for small differences in sound, but make a full mix of 20-30 tracks differences add up and total is way better sounding.
Just some thoughts on why some hardware sound better than the other.
