is it worth getting a separate preamp?

[scius]

i have an AKG C3000B running through a behringer mixer.

i'm not ready to move up to an avalon-class preamp, but would it be worth getting a cheaper preamp in the couple hundred dollar range, or should i just wait?

[Imagearho]

I have a tube dbx 576 (which they don't make anymore: rare) that I am selling for $450 if your interested. Sounds nice...real nice. PM me if you want it!

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by scius

i have an AKG C3000B running through a behringer mixer.

i'm not ready to move up to an avalon-class preamp, but would it be worth getting a cheaper preamp in the couple hundred dollar range, or should i just wait?

Not really unless you want to spend at least a few hundred dollars ($600 or more)...

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Not really unless you want to spend at least a few hundred dollars ($600 or more)...

I don't agree. The pre-amps in the Behringer are horribly weak and noisy and almost anything will be better.

$129 will get you a Studio Projects VTB-1
$399 will get you a Groove Tubes Brick
$499 will get you a FMR Audio RNP

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

I don't agree. The pre-amps in the Behringer are horribly weak and noisy and almost anything will be better.

$129 will get you a Studio Projects VTB-1
$399 will get you a Groove Tubes Brick
$499 will get you a FMR Audio RNP

He said $200... and I would rather save up then spend $200 on any of the mic pre's in that price range... The transformers alone for a good single channel mic pre will cost $200.

Although, I have very little experience with Behringer... I'm assuming they are similar to the Mackie's which they copied and found them fairly quiet and uncolored (but not good by any means).

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

He said $200... and I would rather save up then spend $200 on any of the mic pre's in that price range... The transformers alone for a good single channel mic pre will cost $200.

Although, I have very little experience with Behringer... I'm assuming they are similar to the Mackie's which they copied and found them fairly quiet and uncolored (but not good by any means).

True he did say couple hundred... so the SP VTB-1 is very nice on the extreme low end. The behringer is alot owrse than the Mackie to tell you the truth. Unfortunately, I did have some experience with Behringer stuff.

[STARSKI]

yeah but he should still save at least 5 or 6 hundred and get something decent

[ILL]

Originally Posted by STARSKI

yeah but he should still save at least 5 or 6 hundred and get something decent

Co-sign.

[cynic one]

save the cash...get a good one. i used to record through my old alesis mixer...it was ok...

then i moved up to a joe meek vc3q...not the best vocal pre, but better than the alesis...

i finally got fed up and saved up enough for a langevin dvc and my vocals sound hella better than ever before.

save the money, get a good preamp...don't **** around with the bullshit. you'll be really happy you did. and hey, if you invest in a good one you can always turn it around and flip it on ebay if you need the money back.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by STARSKI

yeah but he should still save at least 5 or 6 hundred and get something decent

Which one should he choose for $500-600?

[scius]

thanks for the advice guys.

i remember e-cue recommended a pendulum audio quartet to me, of course that's down the line because it's around 2 g's, but has anyone else had any experience with it?

[STARSKI]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Which one should he choose for $500-600?

well maybe an api pre, they're around 500 each but you have to get a rack to power them up, i got a six spacer for my avedis eqs and i still need to fill 4 more spaces, but its cool cuz you don't need to keep getting more power supplies and it doesn't take up more space...