Big List of <$1000 Pre Amps

[thehymns]

This question gets asked a lot, "what's the best preamp under $1000." I myself ask it all the time as well. So, here is a list of preamps that have recieved high praise on the board and that are readily available that are under $1000. I included their new price as well as what they run on average used on eBay. Feel free to add to the list!

Brent Averill 312a (single channel): New: $979, used *couldn't find one!*
Vintech 1272: used $950
FMR RNP: $499, used $425 *I was surprised by their resale value!*
Groove Tubes Brick: $400, used $300
Universal Audio SOLO 610: $800, used $625
Great River ME-1NV: $1075, used $750
DAV BG-1 (I actually couldn't find a US price for these, help!)
Chameleon Labs 7602: $700, used $600
Chameleon Labs 7622: $800, used $675
Summit Audio 2BA-221: $630, used $375
Speck Mic Pre 5.0: $780, used ?
Toft AFC-2: $650, used $400
Joe Meek VC6: Used $175
Joe Meek VC6q: Used $250
Joe Meek VC1q: Used $350
Grace 101: $565, used $400
Chandler Germanium: $800 used
True Systems P-Solo: $600, used $450
Blue Robbie: $1000, used $525

[SonicAlbert]

I paid $700 for my BG-1.

[Mr. Antrobus]

Howabout,

AEA Ribbon Pre: List $975
Buzz Elixir:$795 (Needs a 500 series rack to live in however...)

[tdukex]

I think you are mixing apples, oranges, and pears. You have single channel preamps, dual channel preamps, channel strips. You cannot group these side-by-side IMO and have a meaningful list. You are going to have a single list with well over 100 items. You should break it into three lists. I, alone, could name 20 units in each of those categories.

[Middleman]

I have been seeing the Portico 5012, dual channel in the $1100-$1200 range which, if you have a few more dollars, is a great preamp as well.

[chessrock]

The Rane MS1b is about as clear as a bell. I haven't used anything in any price range that I would consider to be noticeably clearer or more detailed.

It could use a pad at the input -- seriously. And it's power supply is really goofy -- it's a freakin telephone cord for cryin' out loud.

But other than it's sometimes over-sensitivity, it just sounds great, and it's very inexpensive. You could get one of these and forget about spending a thousand bucks on something else ... until the day you feel like adding something like a Neve or API clone to use along with it.

.

[Sonixx]

Originally Posted by Mr. Antrobus

Howabout,

AEA Ribbon Pre: List $975

do you own the AEA Ribbon pre?

[Mr. Antrobus]

Originally Posted by Sonixx

do you own the AEA Ribbon pre?

Nope, I make do with an ma-2.2 that I bought for around $1,100 new back when the dollar was stronger.

[bigwillz24]

Once you have a lunchbox.

A-designs
API
Great River
Buzz Audio
Shadow Hills

[Sonixx]

Originally Posted by Mr. Antrobus

Nope, I make do with an ma-2.2 that I bought for around $1,100 new back when the dollar was stronger.

Okay thanks. I own a pair of R84s and I've considered the pre as I do a bit of low level Acoustic gtr micing with them.

[pdlstl]

10-4 on the DAV No1 BG - $700 for 2 really, really nice channels.

In my lunchbox I have:

1- A-Designs P1
1- Brent Averill 512
1- Purple Biz
1- GR MP500-NV

Want a Shadow Hills or Elixir to fill up the box.

All of these are in the $650-$750 range plus the cost of the lunchbox

Also have:
1- Avalon M5
1- GR 1ME-NV

[xstatic]

D&R makes a 2 channel preamp that streets at around $500 new that will hold its own anywhere in that list

[Mr. Antrobus]

Originally Posted by xstatic

D&R makes a 2 channel preamp that streets at around $500 new that will hold its own anywhere in that list

Heck, the manufacturers website is saying they have a special on it for 150.00 Euros...

[jaykeMURD]

Originally Posted by xstatic

D&R makes a 2 channel preamp that streets at around $500 new that will hold its own anywhere in that list

Which pre exactly, are you referring to?

[Mr. Antrobus]

Originally Posted by jaykeMURD

Which pre exactly, are you referring to?

I assume he means the one found on this page sale description

Looks like a couple of their console pres boxed up in a no frills package. Something I find oddly appealing.

[Mr. Antrobus]

What about sytek preamps?

[xstatic]

Thats exactly what it is. A couple of preamps from their currentconsole range boxed up in a half rack space frame with basically no extra's. D&R makes an excellent "neutral" sounding preamp. I have not kept my eye on the price or any specials because my console already has 48 of those preamps in it.

Originally Posted by chessrock

The Rane MS1b is about as clear as a bell. I haven't used anything in any price range that I would consider to be noticeably clearer or more detailed.

It could use a pad at the input -- seriously. And it's power supply is really goofy -- it's a freakin telephone cord for cryin' out loud.

But other than it's sometimes over-sensitivity, it just sounds great, and it's very inexpensive. You could get one of these and forget about spending a thousand bucks on something else ... until the day you feel like adding something like a Neve or API clone to use along with it.

.

Is it significantly cleaner/better than the DMP3?

[dmc777]

Originally Posted by danny.guitar

Is it significantly cleaner/better than the DMP3?

I've been wondering about this to. I'd also like to know how the dmp3 compares to the symetrix sx202 and 302.

[chessrock]

Originally Posted by danny.guitar

Is it significantly cleaner/better than the DMP3?

"Significantly?" Probably not.

Noticeably? Yea, I'd say so.

Worth spending your time worrying about? Too much time on your hands. Get recording.

Originally Posted by dmc777

I'd also like to know how the dmp3 compares to the symetrix sx202 and 302.

See above statement regarding "too much time on your hands - get recording."

.

Originally Posted by chessrock

"Significantly?" Probably not.

Noticeably? Yea, I'd say so.

Worth spending your time worrying about? Too much time on your hands. Get recording.



See above statement regarding "too much time on your hands - get recording."

.

Too much time on my hands, yeah...lately. Worrying about it? Hm, no. Just curious.

Edit: Oh, and I was meaning compared to the Rane MS1b, not the sytek.

[chessrock]

Originally Posted by danny.guitar

Edit: Oh, and I was meaning compared to the Rane MS1b, not the sytek.

It's all just minor variations of the same basic thing.

You got a mic. It needs gain in order to get the signal up.

You got a mic pre. It has a knob on it that says "gain." You turn it clockwise and it gets louder ... you record, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

.

[ofajen]

Sound Devices MixPre sells at $665 new. Two channels, and is a portable, battery-powered field mixer. Sounds very similar to my GR ME-1NV when the GR is operated for cleanest possible tone. Lundahl input transformers, high quality circuitry throughout and built like a brick.

Cheers,

Otto