Best preamp around $800?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nuemes
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nuemes

nuemes

Be Here Now
Just got a suprise $800 and plan to put it to use in a low budget recording studio. Based on the gear I own below I see my weakest link in the chain being a good stereo preamp. I had planned to get a Joe Meek ThreeQ but now that I have more to buget I'm tempted to look into something better in sound quality (if possible in the price range??) Please recommend a preamp around $800 that you have personal experience with or make other recommendations based on what you see below. This studio will be used mainly to record singer/songwriters (vocal & acoustic guitar).

ADAT
Mackie 1202VLZ
Blue Baby Bottle
AKG C414 ULS
2 MXL 603's
MXL 67
Shure SM57
Shure SM58
Various effects...
 
monitors? i would change out the 1202 for a soundcraft M12 and then BAM! you get 12 excellent preamps, eq direct outs and you can just give that 1202 to your good buddy distortedrumble :D ok but seriously....the setup is good...but what about your monitors? i know that wasnt what you were asking though
 
The 4-channel Sytek pre goes for about that price. I've read great reviews of this pre at $200/channel. There is an optional Burr Brown upgrade that you can get for 2 of the channels to add a different flavor.

At that price, you're also knocking at the door of some allegedly really nice 1 channel pres (Great River, Blue Robbie) or expandable rack boxes (Old School Audio, API).

Maybe others will have some more opinions, but I think that pricepoint is somewhat of a no-man's-land between things like the RNP and the >$1000 pres.

Rumble is right about the monitors, too. If you don't have a great set, get those first before more pres. You could get the Wharfedales and the RNP within your budget.
 
Sorry; forgot to mention that the monitors are M-Audio BX5's (plus two home-stereo type systems for comparison).
 
ozraves said:
I suggest getting an assembled mic pre from Hamptone. I like the JFET version the best.

Here's our review: http://www.mojopie.com/hjfp2.html
Click to expand...

I have a JFET as well. Great preamp. I've been planning on getting the tube version. I'm curious why you like the JFET version better than the tube one, if that's the way I read it?
 
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