My ultimate high end mic pre question.

[manning1]

i have a question.....on high end mic pre's.
and there are many here who know more about this subject than i do....
as you guys own lots of pre's.
and i think its a question on a number of studios minds.
viz....."what mic pre will give me that hi end creamy sound without paying big hi end prices ". are there any.....?? or am i asking the impossible.
as i live in a quite rural part of canada for peace and quite/songwriting i dont have access to lots of sources to try mic pre's. occassionally i do get into the big city however, and armed with a short list ...certainly might help.
the reason i'm asking is i might be in a position shortly for an excellent pre.
up to this point ive mostly built my own....but if i could truly find a standout pre that just makes me stand back in awe..and reverence .....i would certainly
consider it. of course living in a rural area i worry about future service.
its not like i can just go down the road and get it fixed if i have a problem.
if i'm asking the impossible...just say so...nicely....thnks.

[Dot]

manning, there's no one preamp that's going to be a panacea.

But if you want "hi-end creamy" in a preamp, I'd suggest you consider the A Designs Pacifica. It's in the $1700ish range for 2 channels.

[manning1]

dan....
thanks for the suggestion. appreciated.

[wagz]

my Neve portico is very smooth and BIG sounding. Fat. It smooths the edges.
compared to my other pres...it's like tape vs. digital.....

that pacifica sounds really creamy, though.

If i get to buy another pre...i wanna try that one first.

[manning1]

thanks wagz. for the suggestion.
i might be doing a big computer contract shortly......so....of course.....more money....so....the devil of "gearslut-itis" is on my shoulder bugging me and eating away at me. lol. i would just like to find ONE DECENT PIECE (all i will be able to afford as i have elderly in my family to help)....and that one decent pre be capable of handling any source i throw at it.....
and bring huge smiles each and every time.

[musicsound-2]

Originally Posted by wagz

my Neve portico is very smooth and BIG sounding. Fat. It smooths the edges.
compared to my other pres...it's like tape vs. digital.....

that pacifica sounds really creamy, though.

If i get to buy another pre...i wanna try that one first.

what would be your first choice: the Portico or the Pacifica ?


I tried already out the Portico (5012) but I missed the Pacifica

[wagz]

sorry...i should have mentioned that i have NEVER heard a pacifica in person.

so... you probably shouldn't rely on any comments I've made....

because I've only heard the same crappy mp3's on the net that everybody has access to.

I'd choose my Portico any day. It is a God among men.

(so to speak. lol)

[James Lugo]

Pacifica

[Tom VDH]

Regarding reliability, my Fearn VT-2 is built like a tank, has never failed me (it's been 6 years, and it's an old unit I bought 2nd hand).
Not sure about the creamy top end though 'coz even if it sounds huge, it's more on the very accurate side of things, with a rich harmonic content if you hit the gain hard.
Never heard the 2 others. Cheers,

[studjo]

I love the Buzz audio MA2.2 - it has a very nice top end - one of the fastest pres I know.
I love it on everything


Jo