PreSonus Central Station Plus: Studio Control Center with Remote Control

Customer Ratings:
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $574.67
Today's Bonus:

• 3 sets of stereo analog inputs and 2 sets of S/PDIF digital inputs
• 3 sets of stereo speaker outputs with Select switches and trim pots
• Passive audio path with no op amps or IC's
• Onboard talkback microphone and talkback input
• Dual 30-segment, fast-acting, peak-hold LED metering. Remote controllable via included Control Station Remote (CSR-1)

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]I've read several reviews comparing the Big Knob to the Presonus Central Station. I can speak first hand to this. I've had a CS for 4 or 5 years. It's the main audio out for my studio. It went out over a month ago, no audio. Talked to Presonus tech support several times. They thought it was the power supply. They don't make them anymore for this first model CS. They said I was in great luck because they found the last used one in their shop and sent it to me free. 2 weeks pass with only one set of monitors plugged into my workstation instead of 3 I normally run for comparison. I get the thing and it turns out the power supply is not the problem. I have to return the CS to Presonus. 1 week shipping, 1 week repair, 1 week return. $50 shipping ground, $85 standard repair fee. Too long to work without a monitor controller, so I bought the Big Knob. It sounded very good at first connection. Finally got the CS back after about 5 weeks. Replaced the Mackie with the Big Knob. Here's what I heard.

The BK is very dynamic and offers more gain than the CS. It sounds good. But the CS is noticeably more transparent probably due to passive electronics. Quite noticeable on a well recorded acoustic piano for example. If you were just doing rock or hiphop, you might even prefer the BK. It has perhaps more umph. For clearity, the CS wins. Im keeping the BK because I can feed it audio from the CS line out to control a subwoofer, something I couldn't do with the CS alone while feeding 3 monitor sets at the same time.

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While this unit sounds much better than anything in the price range, the price doesn't justify the fact it falls apart from the moment you buy it. Pretty much from month one on, count on it losing another feature. I have owned two and won't buy another and hope others will learn from my mistakes.