Top Mic Pres under $1000

[jslevin]

Originally Posted by Finstad

V72 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tab or Telefunken...
Single and need 48V, but U can get them under 1K

Damn, forgot about those! The Tab-Funkenwerk V78 as well.

Originally Posted by Crash

I push the Peavey/AMR VMP-2 two channel tube pre a lot in this category. It does many things really well and it is a real tube pre (4 per channel) and not a starved plate hybrid design. They can be had for around $700-$900 when you can find them.

I've heard similar things about the Demeter VTMP-2a (or b or c), someday I'll pick up one and find out for myself.

Meanwhile, we seem to have stumbled upon yet another similar unit. One of our engineers owned a broken TL Audio PA-1 Dual Pentode, another discontinued two-channel tube design. We got it fixed up and re-tubed, and it sounds pretty f'ing brilliant, actually. If you can find one, I doubt very much it would cost $1000.

Just to be clear, they changed the look of this model at some point. Ours is the old look, like this, and then for a long time they sold ones that look like this -- I assume to re-brand a few products as part of the "valve classics" series. I can't speak to whether the signal path stayed the same or how the newer version sounds, but the controls are all the same and even identically placed. I would guess it sounds the same, but you can't know.

I also imagine that for all three of these two-channel tube gems, it makes a big difference what kind of condition the piece is in.

JSL

[chet.d]

hi j.


My vote = N72 ! damn it's nice.

[Fishmed]

For JUST under 1K...



...John Hardy M-1 Personal Mic Pre.

[ForgottenG]

What about the TL Audio Ivory 5001. 4 channels of tube pre for $999. Has anyone tried this? I am anxious to hear feedback.

[AmbientSound]

The TL Audio Ivory 5001 that I tried was very noisy. The sound was nothing to write home about either.

Cheers

Jason

[jslevin]

Originally Posted by SJRS

The TL Audio Ivory 5001 that I tried was very noisy. The sound was nothing to write home about either.

Yeah, those are bottom-of-the-rack pres. Just to be clear, the Ivory series has nothing to do with the PA-1 model I mentioned.

JSL

[larrykane]

Anyone tried the Trident s20? I see them on eBay occaisionally, in the high six hundred range, and they are 2 channel. I have heard that the first batches sound better that the ones at guitar center but wondered what others know about them.....

[Magpel]

This has been the question on my mind, but my decision making process took an interesting swerve midstream. Bear with me if you please, 'cause there's at least a chance I'll get to some useful experience/information.

I thought I had wanted two genuine high end channels (say, up to 1k per channel) as I mostly do DAW-based composing and track-by-track recording. My band records elsewhere.

The two good channels were to be part of a global upgrade that would include sound treatment, a few new mic choices, perhaps a converter upgrade and perhaps a monitor upgrade. A two-channel unit appealed to me both for recording stereo keyboards and soft synth output as well as possible 2-buss applications.

...then in midstream I turned my whole house--including my 14' vaulted ceiling asyemmtrical living room--into accessible recording space with the help of TightVNC, a laptop, and a 50' snake. Sudddenly everything I recorded was sounding different, better. I also got a drumset...so, my whole vision of the preamp uprgrade changed from 2 channels of high end pre for overdubs, essentially, to a bank of decent mid-grade channels for simultaneous input recording. The idea was to get my Mackie XDRs and Soundcraft live board pres out of the mix as soon as possible. And that's I have done.

When I thought I was looking true high-end, I had significant hands on with the Great River one-channel, the API A2D, and the ADL 600 (I preferred the GR and the ADL to the API)

But the mid-grade has landed me in a very different place. I ended up with a used Sytek, which I like, and I just bought a used Peavey VMP-2 on eBay, figuring it to be a polar complement to the fast, snappy clarity of the Sytek. Peavey's not here yet.

So, for 1,500 I got 6 channels of what I believe to be very decent preamplification. The decision was not easy until I got the ball rolling with the Sytek. At some point, I am sure I am going to regret not having scored a higher-end piece for the same money.

I will say this: I was afraid it might take some work to convince myself that the Sytek was a significant upgrade over the Mackie and Soundcraft pres. It hasn't. The difference was least apparent on vocals, but blatantly, undeniably apparent on Acoustic guitar and direct bass. It was the proverbial cotton-out-of-the-ears experience.

[Haddox]

I bought a SummitAudio 2BA21? the baby one, the sound is great and the flexibility is a plus. I paid 480usd on Ebay. I don't see them much on Ebay any more. New 629 usd. The combi of tube and fet have served me well.

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by jslevin

I've heard similar things about the Demeter VTMP-2a (or b or c), someday I'll pick up one and find out for myself.

I've had a VTMP-2b for a number of years, and it is undeniably sweet. Fantastic when paired with a U-87. Too low gain for use with a ribbon, however. I've had the opportunity to use another tube pre, a UA 2-610, at another studio, and it's excellent. So good, in fact, that I've put an LA-610 at the top of my shopping list for this year.

I can also vouch for the Grace 101 as being an outstanding bargain in a high-headroom, transparent pre. And in the midrange I've been extremely happy with my Focusrite ISA 428. Not quite as nice as the Red series, but definitely a cut above the bargain stuff like the Octopre. I haven't tried the Averill Neve boxes, but I have four channels of Vintech 1272's, and must say they are usually my first choice for critical vocal and even voiceover recording. Creamy warm and smooth.

[Yoda117]

Originally Posted by jslevin

3 channels under $1000 ... Grace 101 + FMR RNP.



Hm ... not a big fan myself.

How about an Apogee Mini-MP (just dropped to $700) and then ... maybe a used Presonus MP20?

JSL

I'm with jslevin on this one. The Presonus MP20 is a good preamp, especially when you have the Jensen transformers installed (unless you have the first batch, which already used them). I think the upgrade is like 30-40 bucks. I recently used it for some of the clips on my latest VO demo. Turned out pretty good if you ask me (which one do you think was the Great River vs. the MP20... I know I was surprised).

http://audio.secure14.com/download/p...yhouser_75.mp3

/apologies for pimping demo in thread... and Jslevin, how is it we've never worked together? I'm in Philly, lol.

[matyas]

+1 for Sytek. Not a "color" preamp, but it does what it's supposed to do amazingly well. (And I'm not necessarily looking for colorful preamps for what I spend most of my recording time doing anyway.) Bought mine for $700, used, locally through Craigslist.

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by matyas

+1 for Sytek. Not a "color" preamp, but it does what it's supposed to do amazingly well. (And I'm not necessarily looking for colorful preamps for what I spend most of my recording time doing anyway.) Bought mine for $700, used, locally through Craigslist.

Another vote for the Sytek---but only as an expansion unit for doing multitrack music recording. They sound great and are an outstanding bargain, but for my first choice unit(s)---particularly for vocals or voiceovers--- I want something with a meter on it.

[jslevin]

Originally Posted by seanmccoy

I've had the opportunity to use another tube pre, a UA 2-610, at another studio, and it's excellent. So good, in fact, that I've put an LA-610 at the top of my shopping list for this year.

Meh. Don't sell yourself short, you can do better for the money. There's more magic in the word "tube" than in the actual use of tubes -- just ask the marketing guys. The list of two-channel pres, same money or less, that I'd rather buy than the 2-610 is extensive. Here's five just off the top of my head: MP-2NV, ADL600, Pacifica, Neve Portico, Manley Dual Mono. And those are just the "colored" ones, there are probably 3-4 more "clean" ones I could list.

But this is off-topic of course!

JSL

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by jslevin

Meh. Don't sell yourself short, you can do better for the money. There's more magic in the word "tube" than in the actual use of tubes -- just ask the marketing guys. The list of two-channel pres, same money or less, that I'd rather buy than the 2-610 is extensive. Here's five just off the top of my head: MP-2NV, ADL600, Pacifica, Neve Portico, Manley Dual Mono. And those are just the "colored" ones, there are probably 3-4 more "clean" ones I could list.

But this is off-topic of course!

JSL

Nothing to do with tube hype, as I already have a Lawson L47MP, a Demeter VTMP-2b and a variety of other nice solid state mics and preamps. For me it's all about having as much variety as I can get my hands on, and my experience with the 2-610 has been positive. I'm actually going to get an LA-610, though, because I also want the tube optical compressor to complement my 1176LN. I've been doing this for about 20 years and I've found that splurging on some new options once in awhile keeps things fresh.

[Kronos147]

Hmmm, why would someone go with a 500 series rather than a rack...

-With a VSI lunchbox I can insert a 550b into the signal path of a 512c and bypass the EQ transformers.

-With a VSI lunchbox I can link compressors, than can likewise be inserted to the mic pre or use on an insert.

-With a VSI lunchbox I can take my choices to other studios without turning a screw.

-With the 500 series, if one unit is malfunctioning, you fix one unit, not send half your studio out to get fixed.

Your points are not invalid, but the 500 series has some options the racks just don't. Good luck on the quest, and yeah, an API 512 whatever would do the body good.

Or wait until the 500 series shootout this Saturday and see if James posts some samples. Maybe you will hear something different.

[Mylithra]

+1 for SCA N72. I also really like their T15 and A12. Cost you about a little under a grand for a pair of N72s and the Chassis, Powersupply and wire harness, and still have 6 slots to expand into different flavors.

Yes, you have to have a little skill with a soldering iron.
Yes, you have to follow all the directions listed on the build sheets. It helps if you can read a schematic though I put my first 2 T15s together without even looking at a schematic. Only followed the silkscreen on the PCB. If you do go this route, it helps to be patient and very detail oriented. That being said, once you get them running, you will NOT be sorry you did it. Its pure silk.

[aberwastone]

Well I had a peavey VMP...I didn't like it..as much as my LA610. I sold mine after a week of trying it out and also hearing that the mexican caps in the peavey makes it sounds not as good as it could be.. But besides the parts..I think you can do better with a LA610. Its the best, has tube eq, good quality parts.. Its one of the few things I like from UA. I sold my LA610...thinking I could find something better..nope..I bought another one. Because I missed it so much for vocals.. Its like butter for vocals. And great on acoustic. And the LA2a is really good for the $$$ and it sounds great.

I can tell you just using the LA610's compressor alone as a line unit..smokes my peavey VC/L2..'s compressor. Its much cleaner and smoother to my ears.

But back to the topic. Groove tube Brick is a good pre and sounds as good as a 610 solo but cheaper. Ugly as monkey butt, but it sounds great and is built with quality parts...unlike the peavey stuff. I like how the peavey has the rickenbach transformers..but thats about it.. All the caps are cheap stuff... You could get it modified and it will shine like gold...get the caps replaced...But I am not up to that modding stuff. So I sold mine.

Best pre (not a pre with a eq like a 610, or Peavey, just a pre right?) for under $1000 IMHO is a Presonus MP20 with Jensen transformers and a AD797 opamps installed instead of the stock opamps..and generic transformers they put in them since 2000. If you can get an early 1999 MP20 or a buy some jensen transfomers and install them...you got a really good preamp for $400. Actually 2 for $400. Clean, jensen quality...which jensens are used in some high dollar preamps...

This my opinion for only a preamp...not a preamp with a built in eq or compressor or strip...

You don't need to spend a $1000 for a good preamp...API 512C $600 another good choice.stike

[hopeless_opus]

An API 512c will require a lunchbox to power it, $675 + $425 = $1100. Great option though!

I highly recomend the Hamptone's. There is a review in the most recent issue of Tape Op if you are interested. I have the JFET, and it's probably the best money I have spent on gear.

hamptone

also check out Seventh Circle Audio

The Chameleon Labs pres are pretty cool as well, stereo pres or pre/eq for around $800.

[frontierfran]

Originally Posted by larrykane

Anyone tried the Trident s20? I see them on eBay occaisionally, in the high six hundred range, and they are 2 channel. I have heard that the first batches sound better that the ones at guitar center but wondered what others know about them.....

I had an S20. The name was cooler than the sound

[larrykane]

Originally Posted by frontierfran

I had an S20. The name was cooler than the sound

well I eventually ended up with one if the early s20's before going on my Quad Eight and langevin 130 rant (have half a dozen of them now), and I'm going to hang on to my s20 because althiugh it does little for all but the beefyest vocalists, it had a delicious coloration for guitar and overheads. It's fast, clear (not uncolored just clear) but a tad thin. Not good for your only pre but useful in the palette scheme of things IMHO.

[dickiefunk]

I've seen a couple of recommendations on here for the Presonus MP20. A while back I was deciding between the Presonus and an M-Audio Tampa. The Tampa seemed to get more praise.

[oldtonedog]

If you'd rather spend way less than a grand, I've gotten very good results with an ART Pro Channel.

[The dman]

Another vote for the N72....Love emthumbsup

[2Loud]

used GR or Portico maybe..

[KHilbert]

How do the Sytek pres compare to the pres in the Neotek elan II tabletop? I'm looking into an elan tabletop in the next few years but I'd really like to test the waters a while beforehand. Considering the one with 2 standard channels and 2 with the burr brown opamps.