Pre-Amp upgrade over the pres in my board

[mplnckstrat]

What stand alone pres out there won't break my wallet, but would be an upgrade to the pres built into my Soundtracs Topaz board?? I figure 2 channels minimum to start off. The Grace 101 and Mindprint interest me, but I have no point of reference as to what would truly be an upgrade to what I already have......

[LemonTree]

nice board the Topaz. You might have to break the bank more than you think to come anywhere close to them. Off the bat the M-Audio Tampa would give you something different with a great compressor.

[mplnckstrat]

Thanks for squeezin' out a response for me LT. You hit my sentiments on the head. I realize my board isn't the greatest in the world, but I also feel its pretty damn solid. I read all this stuff about preamps, but the fact of the matter is my pres sound just fine to me. Now, I don't have a ton of experience.... I went from a Yamaha MG16/6 to the Topaz in 6 months so its still a learning process for me. But, I also know a nice pre could make my vox shine or give the snare track that extra umph. I just don't want to spend $500-750 and feel like its not much of an upgrade. What am I realistically looking at, $1200+ ? I don't really need much else right now except cables to set up PBs. As it is my mic cab has grown nicely (KSM32, GT-66, E609s, 57s, 58s, Beta 52, E835s, D550, D440, MK-012s matched, etc). So, where do I look??

[SonicAlbert]

I think you are looking at $1,200+ to do a true upgrade. If it was me (and this is what I did a few years ago) I'd go for a two channel very clean, detailed solid state preamp. My choice was the Grace 201, which I love. However, there are others like the Millenia HV-3B and John Hardy M1 to name just a couple. I'd also suggest you take a look at the Great River preamps. Any of these would be on my short list.

There are also all the Neve clones out there, which might be interesting as far as providing a different color.

I'd also say that unless you are willing to part with some real money, don't bother spending less on something in between.

[Warhead]

What are you mainly recording? What are your Topaz preamps lacking?

War

[deepwater]

Look at the Toft ATC-2

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...ch/d=tp?q=Toft

[Middleman]

SonicAlbert named it. I would go for the M1 also, for intimate and clean. The GR for a little more color and variation.

[screws]

Look at these

www.seventhcircleaudio.com

I bought a pair of N72's and a pair of J99's and they sound amazing for the price. Much nicer than my ATC-2, which is still great for the eq and compressors alone.

[Middleman]

Originally Posted by screws

Look at these

www.seventhcircleaudio.com

I bought a pair of N72's and a pair of J99's and they sound amazing for the price. Much nicer than my ATC-2, which is still great for the eq and compressors alone.

Have you compared the 7th circle to any other brands? I am on the fence about them having gone back and forth several times.

[xstatic]

A Sytek would be a great addition to a Topaz. The topaz preamps really aren't that bad. They are fairly warm with a smooth top end, but the top end really doesn't get that beautiful extension that a lot of your nicer outboard pre's will give you. The Toft would also be a nice match for the Topaz, and of course the Great River or John hardy also. Sytek = bang for your buck.... GR = flexibility and color when desired.

[Warhead]

The Toft is actually a channel strip but everything it does it does very well. Great piece.

War

[Alexi]

theres a new toft dual mic pre out there

[maskedman72]

great river single channel. big upgrade.