Summit Audio 2BA-221 vs. Grace Design 101

[jbuntz]

The grace is a little sterile at times but works well for acoustic instruments, snare drum sometimes vocals. There are much better bangs for the buck out there. I haven't tried the summit. Look into getting the syteks which will be a bit more than the grace but it's 4 channels and you can get both burr brown with a bit of color (kinda smooth sounding but not mushy) and the stock, very clean channels.

[dhughes]

RNP - 2 channels - $500. Love it. Works well on just about everything.

[ShellTones]

I'm not knocking the RNP, but on one pre shootout I heard between it and the DMP3, myself and a lot of others thought the DMP3 sounded at least as good or better on acoustic guitar. So I went out and bought the DMP3. Other applications, I don't know. Personally, when I upgrade my DMP3 (clean pre) I will bypass the RNP, the sytek, and the Grace and go straight for the John Hardy.

cominginsecond, if you want some color check out the Sebatron stuff--great value IMO.

[dhughes]

Do a search for the RNP on this site and see what you come up with. It is one of the most highly acclaimed pres out there. And if your looking for some versatility your going to have an impossible time beating it for anywhere close to the price.

Or even better go try one out and make up your own mind.

[Coldsnow]

I found the Summit Audio 2BA-221 to be outstanding. I use to own the Grace it is just clean. The Summit has a very pleasing clean tone and a nice warmer tone as well when the tube output is cranked. We put it up against a Vintech X73, Chandler Neve, Avalon M5, and a Studio Projects for three different vocalists. With each one it was our first or tide for first choice. I'd pay twice as much for mine.