Focusrite ISA220 vs. Toft ATC-2 vs. ?

[grunter]

I'm interested in getting opinions on some of the better channel strips in the $750 to $1500 price range. Based on a few reviews and user comments on forums, the ISA220 and Toft ATC-2 seem worth considering.

[grunter]

just alittle bump for my thread:

I'm leaning toward the Focusrite, but I've heard & read some negative things about their products. Some of the preamps & channel strips in the "under $700 range". I don't want to trash Focusrite. I have never used one of their models.

[acorec]

Originally Posted by grunter

just alittle bump for my thread:

I'm leaning toward the Focusrite, but I've heard & read some negative things about their products. Some of the preamps & channel strips in the "under $700 range". I don't want to trash Focusrite. I have never used one of their models.

I can only speak for the Voicemaster Pro as I own it. It is a very good sounding pre-amp with some nice features that take time to learn how to use. The pre-amp alone is worth the price of admission. Apparently Focusrite has had some duds in the past but I had no idea and approached this unit from a totally blind perspective. The pre-amp is right up there with my Avalon and it would be a tossup as to which one I would use in any given session. Note that I don't believe that the VM Pro is as good as/better than the Avalon. They are just similar in sound characteristics. The VM Pro is very quiet and very neutral sounding with clear sound. It can drive dynamics and ribbons all day long. I use it more than alot of my other pre-amps because usually I forget that I have it hooked up and most of the sources I record sound great with it. I switch pre-amps when I am looking for another "color" or a specific sound that it can't get. A great pre-amp if it were the only one I had to have on a desert island. Of all the people I have asked or read posts they have written, all of them love the VM Pro. Of all the people I have asked or read posts they have written *who have never used it* say they have *heard* that it is a crappy unit.

I say try it and see what *you * think if you can.

[SonicAlbert]

My brother owns the VM Pro, so I'm somewhat familiar with it. It's really pretty good for the price. The "tube sound" and "vintage harmonics" are a little gimmicky in my opinion. But overall, if you turn most of the options off you can get a good sound.

That said, I'd suggest you go for the ISA 220. If you can afford to spend $1,500, then you'll definitely get better results with a unit in that price range. I've always found it worth it to spend up to the top of my budget. If you've got the money there's no point in cheaping out, it will come back to haunt you later!

You also might be able to find an Avalon 737sp for around $1,500. The Universal Audio LA-610 is in the $1,300-1,500 street price range. Another unit that might be of interest is the Manley/Langevin Dual Vocal Combo, although unless you can find a great deal somewhere it is above your budget by a little bit.

[xstatic]

First, the Toft is a great bang for the buck piece. SOunds pretty good, but that ISA stuff is pretty nice too. I have always liked the ISA line. I never really cared much for the red's, but the ISA is a great solid contender whether it be preamp, EQ, or compressor. Personally, I can not stand any of the Platinum series. I find there is a huge jump in quality when moving to the blue ISA line. The ISA's just make the Platinums sound like they are all plugged up to me. I never have really given them a fair shake though. In my mind they have always come up losers because I am comparing them to the ISA stuff, which should be better, and not really against other competitive pieces in the same price range. I have heard that the build quality of all the Focusrite stuff is not quite what it used to be, but I have not witnessed that first hand either.

[cycosuicide]

I have the Toft ATC. Its a wonderful pre-amp. The EQ and compression are pretty damn good. The preamp itself is very neutral and gives no color.

I haven't heard the Focusrite ISA. My guess is that it is probably fairly comparable. I highly recommend the Toft.

[grunter]

The only negatives I've heard about for the Toft ATC-2 are: issues with lack of gain for quiet sources & instrument input; and the low cut filter cutting out more than it should. (These issues were identified in the Feb 04 issue of EQ.) Aside from these problems the ATC-2 seems like an excellent channel strip.