Passive Studio Montior Controller?

[bicko19]

Hi all!

Thanks for all the help in my previous thread, ended up going with a pair of Presonus Eris 5's! Couldn't say no to the price, and they are a great size for my space. Now I need to add a monitor controller in as well.

What I need/want:

I'd like it to be passive to save on power point space if possible.

One big volume knob to control the monitors.

A headphone input where I can either bypass to the headphones or mute the speakers, I don't want to have to turn my speakers off or anything like that when I go to use my headphones!

RCA/AUX capabilities just so I can run an iPod through it.

That's it! I don't need talk back, or any fancy bells and whistles. The SM Audio M Patch 2 is pretty much perfect, but I've read the quality of the parts isn't that high and that it tends to wear and tear after some use. I'd rather find a better quality alternative if there is one. The mackie big knob fits the bill but also seems like overkill, as does the PreSonus monitor station, I love the layout of the unit, but it's powered.

Some forums questioned the quality and build of the Radial MC3. Featurewise it's pretty much perfect, even if a little "boxy"" in it's design?

So throw some suggestions at me!

Thanks everyone!

 

[davedotco]

Not an area in which I have any real expertise but the SM Audio Pro unit seems decent for the money, as always depends on what you have to pay.

About £100 in the UK and considered good value, look here.....

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec06/articles/smprompatch.htm

Sorry, will not let me post a link at the moment, ah, fixed it in edit.

 

[Overdose]

For the price of the M Patch 2, I can't see much else to compare. I suspect that the issues people may have had have been in a relatively busy studio environment where it will have had a lot more use. Home audio use would be a lot less demanding and also the warranty should cover you for a reasonable amount of time.