I'm under the impression that the Performer is using the same circuit/design for the board channel preamps as the Vi1. Is this incorrect? There is a noticeable difference in available headroom between the Expression and performer.
Also, I've noticed the Performer runs a little hotter than the Expression, however, the Performer has an internal fan and I don't think the Expression has any fans at all.
Cheers,
Quite curious about this too, as gathering info from Soundcraft gives different results, I asked my local rep and they said the entire Si line has same input circuitry (preamps/AD converters), and it makes sense.
Si Performer, Expression, Impact share the same preamps and converters as do Mini stageboxes.
Even their brochure says these three use GB preamps.
Vi1 has different preamps for sure, and Compact stagebox has same preamps and converters as Vi1, they even state on their website, that you can take out modules from the Compact stagebox and put them into Vi1 and expand number of inputs (or outputs) on the console without using the stagebox.
Vi2,4,6 have Studer preamps.
I own an Expression 3, and would like to try the Performer, but I think it does not make much sense for someone to buy either the Expression or Performer and then go with a Mini stagebox and suffer sound differences, it really makes sense they all have the same circuitry - if Performer sounds better than the Expression, and they you buy a Mini stagebox, it does not make any difference soundwise - if you connect it to the Expression or the Performer.
Given that, I find that Expression has plenty of headroom, and compared to khm... X32/M32, this console sounds better. Lack of scribble scripts makes it a bit "obsolete" in feel, and lacking 4 full parametric EQ is a bit of a let down, but it does the job good, nevertheless.
I am not going into DSP/practical difference between Ex and Perf, they are obvious.
Anybody here using the Expression or Performer with the Compact stagebox?
ps: I do think Perfomer has higher quality faders than the Expression