Looking for a preamp with the following characteristics

[karambos]

I'm looking for a preamp with the following characteristics:

1. must be stereo i.e two channels - no more, no less
2. must have digital out
3. must not cost more than approx $1280 / 700 pounds / €1000
4. must not cost less than approx $400 / 210 pounds / €300
5. must not be made by Behringer

I've narrowed it down to the following:

a. Focusrite TwinTrak Pro
b. ART Digital MPA
c. DBX 386 Silver Series
d. MINDPRINT Envoice MK II
e. PRESONUS DigiTube (I would buy two)
f. SPL Goldmike MK II
g. TL Audio 5060 Ivory II

Which one has the clearest sound quality? Can you think of any that aren't in the list that fit the bill and that you would recommend?

I have to narrow this down to one before the weekend. I'm grateful for any advice. Thanks.

[cdog]

$1200 for 2 channels of mic pres and A/D conversion isn't much of a budget, as you've found out.

I'm not sure theres anything in that price range I can honestly recommend as a piece you'll be happy with for years to come.

The Focusrite might be your best option as a stop-gap solution until you can save up for some "keeper" gear.

Just remember, its about the gear, not the music. Or was that the other way round?

[karambos]

yes, you're right. There's not much choice. So if you were to recommend something that was a piece of "keeper" gear, what would it be?

[Punkity]

The discontinued DBX 586 is a keeper IMO. Haven't had a chance to check out the 386 however. And before anyone pipes up, the 586 is not some fakey starved plate tube pre.

Overall the 586 is pretty damn clear and clean and doesn't have the "tube" sound (that is, low distortion). It uses the same converters as the 386 (not 100% sure, more like 90%). Plus you can get them for a reasonable price used.

[HudHudson]

I've been waiting for Benchmark to finally come out with their ADC-1 with preamps (wasn't it supposed to come out this past spring?). If they can pull this one off with the same value proposition as the DAC-1, they'll have a winner on their hands.

[quadwould]

also an Apogee Mini-Me

[DrDeltaM]

Of the ones you list, i'd go with the SPL.

[karambos]

the Apogee Mini-Me suggestion was a good one. Would anyone say that was a keeper? Worth spending a bit more to get it?

[Jim Williams]

Originally posted by Punkity
The discontinued DBX 586 is a keeper IMO. Haven't had a chance to check out the 386 however. And before anyone pipes up, the 586 is not some fakey starved plate tube pre.

Overall the 586 is pretty damn clear and clean and doesn't have the "tube" sound (that is, low distortion). It uses the same converters as the 386 (not 100% sure, more like 90%). Plus you can get them for a reasonable price used.

Just make sure you pull out that crap Analog Devices SSM2017 mic pre chip and replace it with the BurrBrown INA217 or an Analog Devices SSM2019, you'll thank me in the morning.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[tluke]

Originally posted by Jim Williams
Just make sure you pull out that crap Analog Devices SSM2017 mic pre chip and replace it with the BurrBrown INA217 or an Analog Devices SSM2019, you'll thank me in the morning.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

Jim, is that pretty easy to do for a non tech... or would you recommend bringing it to someone? Thanks.

[Charlie-O]

If the mini me is anything close to the trak2 I would got with the mini guy.... you will definitely get better conversion with it ie: Keeper!

[jajjguy]

Metric Halo ULN 2. It's also a firewire interface, but you can use it as a standalone device.

[DAWgEAR]

If you are prepared to spend close to $1300, do yourself a favor in the long term and spend $200 more and pick up a Focusrite ISA 428 ... there is a world of difference between the ISA series and most of what you listed, including the Focusrite Platinum range.

5 or 10 years from now when you have more money and more gear you will still have use for the ISA; I doubt you could say that about most of the stuff on your list.

Plus you get 4 channels.

My $0.02.

[quadwould]

i agree with the 428... and the fact that there are 4 pres.

not too sure about the clock on it.. have yet to hear ...(is the Ad really good.. or just a tossed in item to sell it... for the price it makes me think they threw Platinum grade A/Ds in there.

as for the MiniMe.. have not compared to a 2Trak..

a plus though is that it can be USB Powered... (Location recording from your Laptop!!)

[karambos]

Thankyou all for your informative replies. Perhaps it would help if I supplied some info about my setup and reasons for wanting a preamp in the first place. Here goes. Don't laugh...

I have a Neumann TLM 103 condensor mic and presently I'm going straight into the desk. A Behringer desk. I'm convinced this is spoiling the sound as I'd like to be able to offer professional level quality for audio books, vocals, acoustic guitars and the like and the desk isn't a good one. I simply cannot afford a new desk. Therefore, I'd like to avoid the desk completely and go into the computer via the Audiowerk 2 card I have. I also recognise this isn't the best of cards but it's all I've got.

Basically I'm looking for a solution around my present predicament of Good mic -> bad desk -> internal soundcard. I'm open to anything.

@ jajjguy - would you prefer the METRIC HALO to an RME Multiface?

[DirkB]

dfegad

Originally posted by karambos

a. Focusrite TwinTrak Pro
b. ART Digital MPA
c. DBX 386 Silver Series
d. MINDPRINT Envoice MK II
e. PRESONUS DigiTube (I would buy two)
f. SPL Goldmike MK II
g. TL Audio 5060 Ivory II

Not good....
Think Chandler, API, Hardy, etc.
Don't take the cheap route, you'll be regretting it within a year...

Greetings,
Dirk

[Jim Williams]

Originally posted by tluke
Jim, is that pretty easy to do for a non tech... or would you recommend bringing it to someone? Thanks.

You can order them from 1-800-digikey. Just plug it in and go...

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[jajjguy]

Originally posted by karambos
@ jajjguy - would you prefer the METRIC HALO to an RME Multiface?

never tried the RME. from what i understand, the features aren't really comparable. the RME is an 8-channel analog unit, with additional digital options, that connects to the computer via a card. no mic pres.

i like the metric halo ULN 2 for its super-convenient firewire connectivity (only available for Mac, however), and for the excellent mic preamps.