Poll: World's Best Tube Pre?

mark4man · #1 10-28-2004

What's the world's best tube-based preamplifier; & why?

Aphex 1100MKII
Avalon AD-2022
Drawmer 1962
DW Fearn VT2
M.A.L. REDD.47
Manley Mono
Millenia M2-B
Mindprint DTC
Pendulum MDP-1
Sebatron VMP-2000e
SPL GoldMike 9844
Summit Audio TPA-200B
Telefunken V72
Tube Tech MP-1A
Universal Audio 2-610

If I've left anything out...feel free to add to the list (or...if you want to throw anything out, go ahead.)

Thanks,

mark4man

BTW - Use? Primarily vox to digital or tape.

sdelsolray · #2 10-28-2004

My vote goes to the Pendulum MDP-1a, as a pure pre (plus DI). Versitile, sensual, euphonic. It's what I chose after trying a bunch of high end pres (tube and SS). For vocals, either the Pendulum Quartet or Quartet II are the ticket.

NL5 · #3 10-28-2004

Peavey VMP-2!

Only because it's the only tube pre I've used.......

edit - it actually is a kick ass pre, and REAL tube

normanguitar · #4 10-28-2004

I think you're talking about the Avalon VT series, I don't believe the A-D2022 is a tube pre.

Cloneboy Studio · #5 10-28-2004

No votes for the Presonus BlueTube?

justharold · #6 10-29-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloneboy Studio

No votes for the Presonus BlueTube?

The BlueTube would DEFINITELY be my choice! (Especially since I am getting ready to sell one...so I need to make it look good.)

Track Rat · #7 10-29-2004

D.W. Fearn.

Henri Devill · #8 10-29-2004

I like the GT ViPre alot...But when you get to a certain level of "product" is all a matter of taste!As for use...As always ..it depends on what I'm going for

P.S. The Bluetube is KING!

cavedog101 · #9 10-29-2004

DW Fearn.....Manley....Pendulum Quartet....Redd 37....the one that sounds the best at the time.

justharold · #10 10-29-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henri Devill

I like the GT ViPre alot...But when you get to a certain level of "product" is all a matter of taste!As for use...As always ..it depends on what I'm going for

I agree. "Better" at that level only applies to application. What you need to ask yourself is "What am I looking to accomplish?" Then you find the right tool for the job.

It's kind of like the difference between a claw hammer and a ball-peen. Both are hammers...they just are made for different jobs. (Wow, Harold...that was such a clever analogy...)

chessrock · #11 10-29-2004

I have no extensive, real-world handson experience with most of the ones you list.

That said, I have attended a few listening sessions where some of the ones on your list were present, and the DW Fearn really stood out to me.

Light · #12 10-29-2004

Groove Tubes Vipre

Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

mark4man · #13 10-30-2004

Thanks everyone...

Tried to get back into my post to make a few changes, but wasn't permitted to edit, for some reason.

Change:
Avalon VT-737sp

Add:
Groove Tubes Vipre
Peavey VMP-2
TL Audio PA-1

Thanks,

mark4man

Also: Anyone have any experience with the UA 2-610?

justharold · #14 10-30-2004

The UA 2-610 is nice. However, IMHO, I would not put it on par with most of the others you have listed (unless you are going for way "tubey").

I recently purchased one...and then returned it. It was just too colored for me. I ended up getting an A Designs MP-2 (which I would add to your list, by the way...)

Dot · #15 10-30-2004

The BingBong 2000 is the world's best tube pre.

Now you know.

justharold · #16 10-30-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dot

The BingBong 2000 is the world's best tube pre.

Now you know.

I want one. I've always wanted one. They're just hard to find...

OneArmedScissor · #17 10-31-2004

It's a better idea to just buy tons of the Behringer ones instead of one super expensive one. Then you can run them all together and get a bajillion toobs put together. Quantity over quality, I always say.

5 String · #18 10-31-2004

Best thing I ever heard or used was a Carvin Quad-X pre-amp.

The thing had 12 valves in it, 4 channels each with it's own FX loop plus, 2 clean, 1 crunch and 1 overdrive, master FX loop, MIDI in and out.

I don't know if they still do them but if you ever see one s/h grab it.

analogordigital · #19 11-03-2004

Just a different way to answer the question....

I remember a post on some other forum quite a while ago where a very experienced tech estimated that any of the Siemens/Telefunken V-series preamps (V72/V76/V78) would cost in excess of $10k for a single channel if someone tried to exactly replicate them today. (looking inside my V78, I don't doubt it) Does that make them the "best"? I don't know, but certainly the most exclusive when it comes to pricing. For what it's worth.........