Best Pre for under 2500$?

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lank81

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I've been looking at some serious pre's as of late and have come up with a few choices of my own but am wondering what others have had success with when recording anywhere from acoustic rock up to alternative rock.

Right now I'm eye'n up the
Great River - 2channel
A Designs Pacifica
DaKing Mic Pre IV
UA 2-610s

suggest away :).

Matt
 
Avalon AD2022 has served me very well.-Richie
 
I'd say GR if you want two channels. 3124 if you need four. Both are stellar. I use the GR on the vast majority of tracks, even with pre's costing twice as much sitting in my rack.
 
lank81 said:
I've been looking at some serious pre's as of late and have come up with a few choices of my own but am wondering what others have had success with when recording anywhere from acoustic rock up to alternative rock.

Right now I'm eye'n up the
Great River - 2channel
A Designs Pacifica
DaKing Mic Pre IV
UA 2-610s

suggest away :).

Matt
Click to expand...


JMK JM-130 - a little bit of everything. :)
 
I'd go with something like Seventh Circle Audio. You could get four top quality pres, (mix and match API 312, Hardy J99, Neve N72 clones) assembled with Op amps, chassis, and power supply for under $2,500. If you can assemble yourself, you'll save a bunch more. These pres have established a fantastic rep over the years.

Another route would be the ever more popular lunchbox.
 
i would also be very tempted by the SCAs if i had that much to spend although the API 3124 would be really hard to resist also.


i have to say though that this question would possibly be better suited over at gearslutz or something
 
You do not have to settle for one. Now is a great time to buy used, its a buyers market and prices on used gear has never been lower. With a budget of $2500.00, you can grab a 6 rack lunchbox and start out with a Great River (takes 2 slots) and an A-Designs P-1 for under budget and have the first 2 pre's on your list, and still have 3 slots you can fill later with different flavors.

Charlie
 
I wish Seventh Circle Audio offered kits for the same circuits in lunchbox format...
 
cnix said:
You do not have to settle for one. Now is a great time to buy used, its a buyers market and prices on used gear has never been lower. With a budget of $2500.00, you can grab a 6 rack lunchbox and start out with a Great River (takes 2 slots) and an A-Designs P-1 for under budget and have the first 2 pre's on your list, and still have 3 slots you can fill later with different flavors.

Charlie
Click to expand...

Charlie,
Not a bad idea. What is the true difference between a 500 system and a regular rack mount unit? Circuitry and Size? You still get the same sound as a regular NV1, correct? Thanks.

Matt
 
lank81 said:
Not a bad idea. What is the true difference between a 500 system and a regular rack mount unit? Circuitry and Size? You still get the same sound as a regular NV1, correct?
Click to expand...

I love the lunchbox idea. The 500 series modules are exactly the same as the ME-1NV, which is exactly the same as the ME-2NV...only single channel, of course. For $2,500 you could get a 10-space unit, the power supply and a couple/three modules...then you'd have space to expand in the future. If I'd been smarter five years ago that's what I would have done.

Frank
 
+1 for the lunchbox recommendation. The modules available are fantastic. I currently have an avedis ma5(closest thing to a real neve 1073 there is), a buzz elixir (fabulously clear and crisp for acoustic instruments), and a couple of atlaspro juggernauts which have input and output transformers that are changeable to either nickel or iron wound (which with THD button and variable mic impedence dial, give it hundreds of flavors). Forssell has just come out with a 500 series pre-amp, which I'm dying to try for it's pristine clear sound. The great river as mentioned is a great one to start with, since it's known to be a very versatile pre-amp, and especially good with vocals and bass. There's many comps and EQ's available as well that are tremendous, and new ones are coming out all the time. Six slot lunchboxes go on sale all the time for around 300-350 bucks used on gearslutz. The modules are always on sale used. That's where I bought half of mine. The only thing you'll regret is not getting a big enough rack to begin with.
 
guitar zero said:
The only thing you'll regret is not getting a big enough rack to begin with.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. That's why he should buy the 10-mod rack to begin with...I think there's even an "aftermarket" 10-space w/power supply that costs about the same as the name-brand rack without the power supply...can't find it now though.

Frank
 
Fishmed_Returns said:
Does that come with a power supply?

You can also get an 11 space rack at http://www.atlasproaudio.com/osa2.html, but I think you have to buy a 500 modual or two from them to be able to buy it. I belive that it does come with th epower supply.
Click to expand...
It's not clear from the web site, but I assume it comes with no power supply. The L200 supply it's compatible with alone is $425. I don't see how they could sell the whole thing for $399. I emailed the guy to find out what the story is on power supply.

Yes the OSA 11 space racks you used to be able to get separately. Now I don't think you can. If I understand correctly, you have to get at least one OSA module to get their rack. Hmmmmmmmm, what's the logic behind that?
 
There are still some places I beleive that are doing the buy 4 modules and get a 6 space lunchbox for free deal. You should be able to find your self 4 modules in the $2500 price range, or at least pretty close. I have an OSA 11 space prototype rack and love it. The power supply that comes with it is huge and is set up to run 2 x 11 space racks.

As far as pure preamps in the $2500 range goes, I would also give some serious consideration to the pendulum audio stuff.
 
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