Quality Pre-Amp? Suggestions? $5-600 range.

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Czar of Turd Polish
Member Since: Jun 20, 2006

Soooo...

I would like to purchase a nice pre-amp for when tracking instruments\vox. A two channel would be awesome but I would go with a one channel as I don't want to sacrifice quality.

I am looking to spend only around $500-600 and would love some personal opinions, hopefully from gear you have used before and not just read about.

I would like tube, but if someone can tell me another product that sounds as good\better then I will consider it.

I have the Rode K2 tube LDC which really helped out (compared to C1000S) but I think combining it with a nice pre it would work wonders.

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Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Mar 25, 2008 03:08 pm

Check this one out: www.musiciansfriend.com/p...Outs?sku=180629

One of my buddies has this one and it sounds amazing for the price point. It's fun to watch the VU meters, too.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 25, 2008 03:12 pm

Hmmmm...

I had one of the ART tube pre's previously but it was one of the tiny ones. I didn't like it so had not even considered them. Might be time to do some reading.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Mar 25, 2008 03:36 pm

Grace Model 101, is a 1 channel solid state mic pre. I like it alot. It is used on all my recordings. I A/B'd a bunch of preamps at a pro audio store and ended up picking this one. It goes for about $600 new, I think... I heartily reccomend this guy.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 25, 2008 04:07 pm

Roger that. In Alaska we have a few music stores, but nothing where I can sit down and compare higher end gear. Sadly I must rely on reviews and yall's opinions vs. hands on :(

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Mar 25, 2008 04:12 pm

colonel sanders posted a site once that had samples of all kinds of preamp/mic combinations, which might aid you in your search. Don't remember what it was called, but maybe if you search this site you can find the thread. I remember it was a long thread, prolly started by CS, but don't remember what the thread was about. The posting of the site was just a side discussion within the thread....

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Mar 25, 2008 04:32 pm

Dang ! What a memory on this guy !


I was looking at standalone pres a while back, and came to the conclusion through reading reviews and testing a few, that either that particular ART unit(sterio), or The Brick(mono) was going to be the most quality I was going to get, within that pricerange . I'm still considering that ART... it's quite nice .

Member
Since: Mar 03, 2008


Mar 25, 2008 04:36 pm

Grace 101 comes highly recommended from a lot of people. Electroharmonix has the 12ay7 tube pre at around $200. There's the Groove Tubes Brick which is loved by some and hated by others. I'd be looking at a UA Solo 110. A little pricier than the Grace but there's always financing.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 25, 2008 04:51 pm

I saw a UA Solo 110 on craigslist for $600 :( I missed it...

Am looking pretty heavy at the Grace products.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Mar 25, 2008 04:51 pm

heh, I couldn't concentrate at work, so I found the site for you...

www.Thelisteningsessions.com

thanks again to CS for posting it originally.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 25, 2008 04:52 pm

Awesome, much appreciated.

Holy large drumset!!!


http://www.terrybozzio.com/images/kit/fkit.jpg


Melodic Master Mind
Member
Since: Apr 19, 2004


Mar 25, 2008 05:55 pm

u should look into the fmr audio's RNP (really nice preamp) ...... my friend has one in his studio its a simple lil ugly box but sounds great ...its $475 in most online stores and u get 2 channels

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Mar 25, 2008 05:59 pm

Quote:
I would like tube, but if someone can tell me another product that sounds as good\better then I will consider it.


Right on!

You're one of my heroes today for saying that. Just because it's tube doesn't mean it's better...

The one Keith Warren linked to is pretty cool. There's actually a Behri that's very similar but half the price. The buzz is that if you change out the tubes to "real tubes" and ignore the VU meters it sounds amazing. Haven't had any first hand experience.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Mar 25, 2008 10:09 pm

I'll go with the Grace as well. Killer pre for the omeny and really can't be beat in that price range. Unless you can find a used Avalon for that kind of money. Very clean and pure.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 26, 2008 01:01 pm

Hmmmmm, this is going to be tough. The grace 101 is in my price range and all reviews are glowing. The RNP has very good reviews also and is dual channel. Time to hit up the band for some funds so I can get two of the 101's :) I would love two channels to use with my NT5's on the overheads.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Mar 26, 2008 09:16 pm

Hey Tripps, they do have a 2 channel of the 101 called the 201.

www.gracedesign.com/products/m201/m201.htm

I think it would be cheaper then 2 101's.

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Mar 26, 2008 09:43 pm

Coolo, :-D.

I've said it before but theres some great DIY pres on the market, if you're that way inclined.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 27, 2008 12:32 pm

Noize, strangely enough, and even commented on at their website. The 201 is more expensive than two 101's. Weirdness yes?

CS, DIY? What does this entail? I build computers, install car stereos and am decent with a solder gun. What are these DIY kits you speak of and would I have the skills?

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Mar 27, 2008 12:51 pm

Here's a post from reaper board, regarding the SC1 preamps from five fish:

< begin snippet >

From Fivefish Studios? I've got two channels of them (and a rack case for 4 channels...just gotta build the other two).

Haven't used them in a project yet, but whoa...nice. I hadn't done any serious soldering in years and years, but everything went together FIRST time...NO problems. Just pay attention and be careful...especially when soldering the stepped gain switch (the pins are REALLY close together).

They are REALLY quiet, flat preamps, in the "straight-wire-with-gain" category. Compare to like the DAV BG-1 or Grace 101 preamp.

So, limited experieince, but what experience I have with them couldn't have been more positive.

Recommended.

Scott
__________________
www.stillwellaudio.com/

< end snippet >

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 27, 2008 01:45 pm

The five fish stuff looks awesome. Not sure if I'd feel comfy with the 100% DIY kits though. The pre-assembled are still a great price as I can get 4 channels around 1K if I simply mount them in the case.

Not sure, but I will at least consider this route.

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Mar 27, 2008 05:06 pm

If you can solder you can do it man. But you have to learn how to read resistor values, and capacitor polarity. Real simple stuff.

They give you all the parts (even gave me solder), PCB boards and chassis and step by step instructions on how to connect everything together. Its not very practical if you need the pres tomorrow, but its great fun with sweet results. I, however, screwed my kit up completely (hey, I was 17) with a crap soldering iron but Joe Malone, the guy who I bought the kit off answered all my questions and even offered to fix up my kit for me. www.JLMaudio.com In australia though.

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Mar 27, 2008 07:41 pm

[quote]resistor values, and capacitor polarity{/quote]

Sorry? Didn't catch that? A capa-what? Resistor values?
Speak English, man!

Real simple stuff....
Ha.

Actually I've always wanted to have a dabble, but I'm too afraid. Plus, I'd have to know simple stuff like..er.....capacitor polarity, and resistor values....

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Mar 28, 2008 06:46 pm

Ah ya big wuss TC! Grab a childrens electronics book and start with a stompbox.

www.diystompboxes.com/smf...amp;topic=712.0

I built this one as my first ever project. Worked great first time and teaches you HEAPS if you're a newb. I also wrote a DIY fuzz face tutorial. If you're interested, shoot me an email. Was meant to send it to dB for hosting ages ago but I got real busy...

www.diystompboxes.com/wiki/index.php?title=DIY_FAQ

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 31, 2008 12:24 pm

So I am still interested in the Five Fish stuff, but I decided to watch some items on ebay to see what the going rate is.

Grace 101's went for $410, $445 & $480. Not to bad at all.

The UA solo went for $640, once again not too bad.

Also, I missed out on a Nuemann M147 just like Mr. Warrens, it went for $787 :(

But yeah, I'm in no hurry. One channel for vox is required, but I soooo want two for OH usage.

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