Posted on 
Mar 26, 2003 12:19 pm I just did a bunch of research and bought a mic preamp myself and I can tell you that for the money, I think the VC3Q is the best deal. I see them on ebay all the time, so if patience is one of your virtues, I have no doubt that you will get one if you want it.
That said, the Presonus Blue Tube is not bad and tends to run just a hair cheaper than the Joe Meek. However, I think the VC3Q is definitely worth the extra money.
Other than those two, I haven't found much in that price range. A good mic preamp can make a dramatic difference in your recordings, so going with a quality unit really will make a difference in my opinion. There are several other manufacturers that make small mic pres similar to the ones mentioned, but none that I would consider worth having (at least not that I have found). If I were you, I would keep looking for a VC3Q.
