Grace 101 or... UA M610

[freeway]

Hello,
I would like to say I've enjoyed reading the chats on this site for months and I find it very helpful, thanks! Now for a question.
I've been looking to get a decent pre for vox and acoustic gtr and have been looking at the RNP and the Grace 101(I've been currently using my Mackie pres). Then an engineer bud of mine said " I need some cash, I'll sell you my UA M610 for $700." I know they're all good, but would'nt you say it's almost a "no-brainer" to go for the UA?
Thanks

 

[tdukex]

I'd grab the M610 and never look back.

 

[freeway]

Hey thanks! That was pretty much what I thought, I'll snatch er' up!

 

[In Tune Audio]

Comparing those two preamps would be like comparing apples and oranges. I personnally have not heard either, however, I had seriously looked into both, and talked to numerous dealers, and studios that have used them.

The grace is a very very clean preamp. I red a review in Recording mag about two years ago on this unit, and they had nothing but glowing things to say about it. However it is incredibly sterile. It will capture exactly what is happening with no hype.

The 610 on the other hand, is a very colored preamp. I red lots of very positive things about. But I also red a couple of negative things. I heard it described on another forum as the "U fuzz box".

But I would have to agree with your desicion to get the 610. It will be better for vocals, and such. The grace really excels on classical recordings.


I was looking at these two units just a little while ago, but then chose to go a totally different route. I got an Avalon 737 (I know a lot of people around here are not big fans, but I like the full color without mush) (That and I'm recording a lot of rap right now.), and a focusrite ISA 428, that way I got 4 clean channels, without being sterile. However I am planning on getting the grace at some point in the near future