I'd like to see someone compare pre's like
the ART Pro Channel, ART Tube Pac, and
the ART Dual MP, as well as the Joe Meek VC3,
VC3Q,
VC6Q,
the Mindprint Envoice, Bellari, and maybe a few others that are in the $200 to $600 range.
The mics used should be
a Rode NT1,
an AKG C3000, and a similarly priced Oktava (large-diaphram) mic. These seem to be the most common condenser mics used by the masses around here.
The reason for comparing different models of the same brand would be to see if all those extra features (parametric eq's, compressors, stereo capabilities, etc.) are worth spending the extra $$$, and also to see if the noise level is less audible on a $600 preamp (ART Pro Channel), as opposed to a $250 preamp (
ART Tube Pac).
I would be willing to spend $600 on a preamp, if that's what it takes to achieve the best possible sound for the money. But, I'd like to be able to justify spending the same amount as I spent on my digital 8-track machine to get that total "pro-quality" sound.