semi budget pre amps/ channel strips

[Relax]

Im looking for a set of stero pre's. Right now im going from my mixer to M-box. im looking to spend less than a $1000 and would prefer digital outs. I was looking at the focusrite twintrak pro, but in this price range should I just go for an Onyx mixer as im using a behringer MX2004A right now. Would the Onyx pre's be nicer than the M- box's? I make pop/hiphop/rnb music and use an mpc, asr10, proteus, and micron.
thanks

[Relax]

been looking around online and was wondering how the apogee mini me pre's are. maby a fmr rnp? curious how these compare

[natpub]

lotta discussion on the onyx stuff, do a search

[lukasxpop]

Hey yeah I"m thinking of picking up one of those RNPs,

I don't have any good stereo mic pres at the moment. I'm just using the preamps on a Behringer Mixer 16channel sucker that i got abotu a year ago ... I imagine these are considered pretty dodgy.

I have a FMR RNC compressor already - but I seldom use it to be honest.

I just don't do use compression when I'm tracking - shoud i be?

[garymusic]

I would first buy a good A/D. An used Apogee Rosetta A/D would go for about $500 used. You would get a very good clock and converter that would improve your sound a lot. I have an older Presonus MP20 Stereo mic pre that sounds real nice. That is about $500 new but I would look for an older model used that has the Jensen transformer. The Apogee Rosetta would be the best money you will spend. The MP20 is nice for the money.

-Gary

[Relax]

damn, i think this was my first post, if anyone does care i upgraded my mixer with an A&H Mixwizzard and my A/D with an old Rosetta and my sound improved 10fold. next is the D/A but first i want to do some treatment on my room.