Should I buy an Avalon 737?

Hey guys, I have found a used Avalon 737 preamp for a pretty good price. I have it on hold until I can drive up to Atlanta to pick it up on Friday. What are your experiences with one? It looks like a great unit that will help make my recordings sound even better. I am trying to get as close to a professional sound a possible. I have been using a Preonus channel strip. Some of you who have listened to my songs on here may can comment on the improvement I can expect to hear. Vocals are what I want to benefit the most fom this unit.

Thanks

Www.reverbnation.com/WallyMontgomery

I've used them a lot.
For the right price, sure- but imho there are better channel strips out there.
I'd buy an API channel strip, Empirical Labs Mike E, Neve Portico or Pendulum Quartet before I'd buy a 737 new.

Depends on how cheap it is.

It will be a big step up from your Presonus.

The price or the used Avalon is $1550. Seems like a good price as long as it is in good shape.

The pre is ok - not a lot of character, and to me kind of "soft" sounding. Not sure that's the right word.

The eq is quite nice.

The compressor is , uh, interesting. Slooooow. There is a mod (known as the Babyface mod) that makes the attack and release times (IIRC) faster. Not fast, exactly - but faster.

I really like DIing bass with it.

So, really depends on your needs. If you want a pre with more character or a fast comp, this is not your box. They look good though - except perhaps not the original purple ones.

If I had to do it again, I don't think I'd go for the 737 myself. You could get a Daking pre/eq and a decent and more versatile stereo comp (FMR, Overstayer, maybe the Gap or Chameleon labs ones - I haven't used the latter two - just throwing out names that might be in the ballpark $$-wise) new - for around the price of that Avalon.

Edit - just want to add that that the Avalon isn't a bad piece of gear. I may have come off that way. It is a bit quirky though, especially the comp. So before you make the plunge, just make sure it does what you want.

Cheers,
Geoff

Anybody who can compare the Avalon to he UNiversal Audio LA-610 mkII? That was the other one I was looking at. I just looked at the Daking, they look great as well

I would take either of those over the Avalon. Like the others, I've used them. They are fine. But that price is about what a new UA runs if they haven't skyrocketed lately. I've used the UA a lot and love it. Daking is really tight. A lot depends on your mic.

Get the UA without question. If the $1,599 price tag is not a problem at least you have a really decent peice of gear and under manufacturer's warranty.

Thanks for the input guys. I ended up getting the UA LA-610 mkII and I am more than happy with it. I have already recorded a song with It and the difference is way more noticeable than I though it would be! Love it.

I will post the song when It is done.

Excellent choice. Should last most of a lifetime.