First, Moelar, I'm sorry - I think you were talking about
the Symetrix 302, not the 528. My mistake, the 302 is a very good little unit and cheap for what it is. Just compare it the the one you bought, matter of taste.
Re tdkex question - the reason I hesitated in responding is because I get to use all kinds of stuff in a work environment, not in a shop, and more often than not I don't have a clue what it costs. So when I made a small list and started looking at prices - I went oooops! Needed to add zero's.
Before someone breeths down my neck for it, I don't think its a secret that I do have relationships with some manufacturers, Lucid / Symetrix, and others. I would like to point out that those relationships stem from my use of their products, leading to long term endorsements, involvement in development, and testing of new stuff etc. If I therefore recommend a product its because I like it and use it in preference to other products, and thats all.
I didn't split a list in tube or SS. Good is good, and that's all there is to it. If you want that 'warmth' of a tube, its my forecast that within a year we will see a bunch of cheap plug-ins on the market to give you the exact effect. After all, the sound of a tube is a pleasant harmonic distortion. High-end 'tube-emulator' hardware is already available, and is very good indeed.
Note: I am not saying that this will eliminate the need for a good tube pre, it never will. It will hopefully eliminate the need for a cheapass bad sounding pre.
Please also note that this is just my selection of things I have used/heard/know to work well, and that's all. In many cases the list price is a bit higher than you asked for, but I'm sure with some shopping around........ And don't forget 2nd hand gear!!
1. Grace Design 101
A new single channel pre. I think its going to retail in the $500 range.
Balanced transformerless mic input, high impedance instrument input. Balanced xlr and 1/4" trs outputs, 48 Volt phantom power
11 position silver contact rotary gain switch, 10dB output attenuator, 75Hz 12dB/octave transitional Thompson-Butterworth high pass filter, LED peak meter showing signal present and peak conditions.
I've always loved both the build and sonic qualities of this manufacturer, and this is the first time they have made a single channel, cheaper pre, which still has all the features that make Grace products so good. This one blew me away, it sounds not good but great. Very very hard to beat for the price, my first choice.
2.
Symetrix 528E.
I think its safe to say that this is the favorite pre of broadcasters globally. For good reason. A 528 can make the most mediocre voice sound good. The backbone of my rig, live as well as in the studio, to me simply the most versitile tool.
Six separate functions: mic pre, de-esser, compressor/limiter, downward expander, parametric EQ, and voice symmetry alignment. All six processors can be used simultaneously. Great for vocals and everything else, drums in particular.
3. PreSonus MP20
I think this dual servo Class-A pre sells for about $600.
It features a twenty dB pad, phantom power, an 80Hz roll-off, polarity reverse, and a means to control the tube's harmonic distortion. If you want a pre really as a devise to introduce 'tube-sound', this might be the cheapest good sounding way to achieve it.
4.
SPL GoldMike 9844
A dual-channel tube pre, featuring two backlit VU-meters and Class-A tube circuitry used throughout the signal chain. Each channel designed as an independent mono unit to provide separation between channels. A “Flair” function is designed to add clarity and “air” to vocals. Retail: $999.
Pretty good little tool.
5. I thought about putting the Bellary
RP520 here, which is just over $500. But to be honest, it doesn't make it against the ones above.
6. Joemeek VC6Q
I'm not a Joemeek fan (at all). But we're getting very limited in really good sounding choices here! Should sell for about $600 But it has a clear 'sound' all of its own. Like it, or loath it, but its not one that would work on everything in my opinion.
There are more, but not any I would use, let alone consider buying, or advising anyone to buy. The little Grace is on my shopping list, I just have to have one. If I see the PreSonus in a studio, I'd most likely use it for something. I haven't lived without a 528 for many years, and I'm not about to start.
That's it, hope it helps. Not a lot of choice in that price range.