Sunnaudio vs Grace Design

[Vancebo]

I own the Stage DI and the MS-2. I do like having a unit that can be powered by Phantom and/or battery. I don't know if the Bix has that flexibility.

I owned the Alix. I would say that what is unique about the Sunnaudio preamps is the way they approach EQ. They effect different frequencies than other products. I don't want to get into specifics, but when I boost the Treble knob on the Sunnaudio units, It's more effective and musical than other brands.

If you need Mid control, Solo Boost, Mute, then hold out and get the bigger, better equipped unit. If you use two guitars, the MS-2 is great for having two guitars plugged into it and having each set independent of each other.

I may of made it clear that the Sunnaudio gear are my favorite, but the Grace is also higher on my list of many other preamps I have tried. I haven't tried them all, but almost.

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by Vancebo

I owned the Alix. I would say that what is unique about the Sunnaudio preamps is the way they approach EQ. They effect different frequencies than other products. I don't want to get into specifics, but when I boost the Treble knob on the Sunnaudio units, It's more effective and musical than other brands.

The bass and mids are also great. There's something really special about the Sunnaudio EQ. On paper, the Grace preamps have more power, but in actual use, just listening, the Sunnaudio's EQ is extremely useful and musically effective.

[Cuki79]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

The bass and mids are also great. There's something really special about the Sunnaudio EQ. On paper, the Grace preamps have more power, but in actual use, just listening, the Sunnaudio's EQ is extremely useful and musically effective.

Doug have you ever measured the Sunnaudio EQ curves?

Could you please capture the IR of
1) Bass max cut
2) Bass max boost
3) Mid max cut
4) Mid max boost
5) Treble max cut
6) treble max boost

If you send me the files I can make a « summary » spectrum like this mackie mix12 for example:

[rockabilly69]

Buy them both, keep the better, return the lesser!

[Cuki79]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

Buy them both, keep the better, return the lesser!

This is not something you can easily do when you don't live in the US.

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by Cuki79

This is not something you can easily do when you don't live in the US.

A little longer time in the mail but still doable

[PANDAPANDELO]

Trust me: you can't do It living in Brazil. Dazzo Pickup took 8 months to arrive at my home. That because It wasn't taxed. If It were, It would probably take longer.

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

A little longer time in the mail but still doable

[SpruceTop]

I'm leaning toward the Sunn Audio MS-2 to go with the Dazzo system I've just ordered. Being that the Grace Felix is only $300 more than the Sunn MS-2, can anyone comment on why I should consider the Grace Felix over the Sunn Audio MS-2? Thanks!

[guitarman68]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

I'm leaning toward the Sunn Audio MS-2 to go with the Dazzo system I've just ordered. Being that the Grace Felix is only $300 more than the Sunn MS-2, can anyone comment on why I should consider the Grace Felix over the Sunn Audio MS-2? Thanks!

Owning both and liking both a lot I only see one reason for spending the extra cash for the Felix : You may want to use the XLR-input which is studio-grade quality, for an external mic or home recording purposes. If that's not the case, you will not regret your purchase on the MS-2.

[Br1ck]

Rarely mentioned, one reason the SunnAudio gain stage sounds so rich is that it has a wider frequency response than others. Not only is it linear, but goes lower and higher, into regions you might not think make a difference, and paired with the right Dazzo, you can let more low frequency through. Marc was always telling me how good they sound with subwoofers. Maybe he'll elaborate.

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by PANDAPANDELO

Trust me: you can't do It living in Brazil. Dazzo Pickup took 8 months to arrive at my home. That because It wasn't taxed. If It were, It would probably take longer.

wow, that is a pain in the butt!

[SpruceTop]

Okay, coming from a place of complete ignorance on these two devices because of not having any direct experience with them, but having looked at the specs from both websites, and gotten some quick opinions from you good folks out there, I've surmised the following:

Sunn Audio MS-2 -- A high-quality, good-sounding, and versatile preamp that sounds musical, especially when combined with the input of a Dazzo pickup set. The Mid-Side Decoder which can be used with an optional internal mic combined with a pickup of a player's choice can offer up a stereo soundscape that can sound magnificent. The MS-2 only offers 8-volt to 14-volt phantom power for internal condenser guitar mics. The MS-2 can be powered by a wall-wart, 48-volt phantom power or a 9-volt battery.

Grace Design Felix -- If a player is looking for a two-channel preamp of ultimate quality that offers just about everything a player could want in shaping and controlling their acoustic-guitar amplified tone, this is it. The Felix has no Mid-Side Decoder but I think that is something most players wouldn't use in a live venue (a bar/pub floor layout) situation anyway. It also has full 48-volt and 12-volt phantom power for full-size and internal condenser mics. Unit powered by wall-outlet power only.

To summarize: If I was to buy one of these units for usage with my upcoming Dazzo system or a Trance Amulet M-VT system, or any SBT or UST system, and money wasn't a problem, I'd likely opt for the purchase of the Grace Design Felix. I'm receptive to any comments on these devices and would like to read your opinions, pro, and con, about them that could influence my choice on selecting one or the other. Thanks!

[loco gringo]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Okay, coming from a place of complete ignorance on these two devices because of not having any direct experience with them, but having looked at the specs from both websites, and gotten some quick opinions from you good folks out there, I've surmised the following:

Sunn Audio MS-2 -- A high-quality, good-sounding, and versatile preamp that sounds musical, especially when combined with the input of a Dazzo pickup set. The Mid-Side Decoder which can be used with an optional internal mic combined with a pickup of a player's choice can offer up a stereo soundscape that can sound magnificent. The MS-2 only offers 8-volt to 14-volt phantom power for internal condenser guitar mics. The MS-2 can be powered by a wall-wart, 48-volt phantom power or a 9-volt battery.

Grace Design Felix -- If a player is looking for a two-channel preamp of ultimate quality that offers just about everything a player could want in shaping and controlling their acoustic-guitar amplified tone, this is it. The Felix has no Mid-Side Decoder but I think that is something most players wouldn't use in a live venue (a bar/pub floor layout) situation anyway. It also has full 48-volt and 12-volt phantom power for full-size and internal condenser mics. Unit powered by wall-outlet power only.

To summarize: If I was to buy one of these units for usage with my upcoming Dazzo system or a Trance Amulet M-VT system, or any SBT or UST system, and money wasn't a problem, I'd likely opt for the purchase of the Grace Design Felix. I'm receptive to any comments on these devices and would like to read your opinions, pro, and con, about them that could influence my choice on selecting one or the other. Thanks!

MS2 has 2 separate effects loop for each channel. You can apply an effect to one channel or you can apply an effect to both channels, depending on which loop you use. The Felix has one effects loop and applies effects to both channels.

Felix will run a full blown condenser mic for vocal or in front of a guitar. This is cool, but isn't useful to me as I can plug a condenser mic that requires 48v into my Acus or into a board mic pre.

Here is a connection example. It shows it better than I can explain it. I can't get it to load onto the forum for some reason, probably user error. You could substitute guitar #2 for bass in this example.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12WQ...qrijLj1Aa/view

[guitarman68]

I want to add one feature in the MS-2 that could be important to many users: Several DIP switches let you tailor the unit to your personal needs, the most important to me being the solo boost in pickup channel only. I use to dial in as much internal mic as possible on channel 2 (up to 50 %) and let the solo boost only boost the pickup.
I wish my Felix had the same feature.