Big Ben users?

Anyone using an Apogee Big Ben with their Venue? Did it make a difference and how noticeable--are we talking the top 5% of listeners or is it pretty obvious? What is different about what you hear with it? Thanks, Dave

Dave, I posted on this previously. As for the difference it makes, the video guys thought I had installed a mastering plug-in across the 2-buss (if you have Massive Pack, slap Master X3 with the "Mix Master" preset as an insert on the 2-buss by the way). There is even a Digidesign employee (that shall remain nameless) who heard a difference. What we've noticed is the low end tightens up, the top end opens up, and the FX (especially reverb tails and delay repeats) clean up quite a bit. The FX are more defined at a lower dB level in the mix. Vada and the guys won't give it back (it was purchased for the studio)! Other FOH engineers that have brought in their own Venue rigs have asked to borrow it for evaluation, and when I come back they still have it in circuit on their rigs. That being said, whether it is an improvement worth $1,400.00 to you is a question that only you can answer. I would suggest trying to borrow or rent one before you buy. That way you can at least hear it for yourself, after all, it's your ears that you are trying to please. Hope this all helps, Erik

Yeah, I was looking for that post, but now I realize I searched wrong. Here's the link: