First "good" pre A/B

[qiktune]

I'm looking to buy a good/very good pre and wanted to get some insight from all you fine chappies and lassies.

I've been seriously looking at and came very close to buying a UA6176 a couple of times....now I'm wondering if I should go with a UALA-610 instead.
Anyone used both of these and can you tell me what your thoughts are?

I'm running PT7.3 LE via a 002R.

Mostly record power pop, pop/rock, acoustic type stuff.

Thanks

[M10K]

I've honestly never used either one of these, but I have used both the 1176 and LA-2A. I would go with the UA 6176 mainly for the compressor...it just gives you more options. I'm sure both of them sound pretty good though.

[Supercreep]

IIRC, the 6176 will allow you to bypass the pre. The LA-610 will not.

BTW, the compressor in the LA-610 is not an LA2A.

[M10K]

Like I said I've never used either one. Judging from UA's site it is close though...perhaps a poor man's LA-2A?

"In collaboration with Dennis Fink, one of the original UREI® analog design engineers, the LA-610 was carefully designed to deliver the essence of the “LA” sound but without the costs of being an exact LA-2A component clone. The LA-610 uses three 12AX7A’s, a single 6072A and a single 6AQ5 tube for amplifier warmth and overall tonal balance.

After the preamp section, the LA-610 offers a new T4 optical compressor. The electro-optical detector or "T4 cell”, is the very heart and soul of the Teletronix LA-2A. The unique combination of electroluminescent panel and photo-resistors inside the T4 cell are the crucial circuit components that give both these compressors their signature sound."

Anyway, I'd still go for the one with the "1176".

[qiktune]

hmmm, well thanks for chiming in guys. Guess I'll have to track down these units somewhere to have a listen.....all those numbers mean squat to me and I really have to hear stuff to make a judgement. The problem right now is I don't have any point of reference.

Are there any albums or songs perhaps that I could listen to that nails the sound of these units ? Eg, if I listened to mid sixties Beatles stuff I'd hear a U47 through a Redd 51 etc

....I guess I really have to study up on the numbers on tubes and things if I'm ever going to get a handle on anything

[NL5]

While the 1176 is amazing, and the LA2A is great, the only "high-end" pre that I just did not like is the 610. There was a thread over at GS last week on the 610 and 9 out of 10 people said basically the same thing.

I used one for a bit, but thought the preamps in my ghost sounded better FWIW......