Recommendation for preamp

[RVLVNGDRS]

I have a RNP...and yes, i hate it...

i want to get good definition of instruments and particularily strong and smooth vocals (something to get me that good "pinhead on a dollar coin" thing)

can someone give a recommendation in the 600$ - 1000$ price range (preferably from someone who actually has experience with the recommended preamp)

thanks to everyone who answers.

PS: Would anyone recommend DBX 786?

 

[BigRay]

s the DAV BG-1 is the best preI have ever used, and I own very expensive"boutique"pres..it smokes them. 700 bucks..2 channels..Has a lower noise floor than my millennia)over 2,000 USD), and really, just is an awesome box..David Gilmour, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Mark Knopfler , etc..all use them...
do a search on gearslutz...
www.davelectronics.com/bg1.htm
http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=63297
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec03/articles/davelectronicsbg1.htm
http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=51757&highlight=DAV+BG-1
http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=36091&highlight=DAV+BG-1

do a search here as well....Ive been singing its praises for a long time.

 

[jkokura]

Grace 101, THe Brick, and if you can solder check out Hamptone (do it yourself tube or solidstate pres.

jacob

 

[Big Kenny]

I can't believe you hate it. What does the rest of your signal chain look like? My RNP is a very clean pre. $600 buys a safe sound P1, a very nice all round strip with a compressor, expander, and limiter. Or one top end a John Hardy personal if you don't need the "stuff"

 

[RVLVNGDRS]

RNP is pretty bad on bass...i don't know about your experiences but from what ive experienced, bass sounded pretty bad...well maybe i just did something wrong but i dunno...

ya, does anyone have anything to say about DBX 786 or Great river?

 

[Houston Lee]

Preamps

I don't know about either of those, but I just recently bought a Chameleon Labs 7602. It is a hand wired Neve clone that was recommended by a local studio owner and it sounds great! Vocals, Acoustic guitar, and especially bass (direct) sound fantastic through this box (I have a Blue Baby Bottle). The unit sells for $699 plus another $100 for the power supply (which will power 2 units). If you call Pacific Pro Audio In Seattle they are a distributor and they are giving you the power supply for free with the purchase. If you search Chameleon Labs they come up as a dealer (Talk to Garth). I know it sounds like I am trying to sell it to you, but I just love this preamp.

Good luck!

 

[xstatic]

The DBX 786 is a pretty decent sounding preamp, but is way out of the price range you mentioned. The Great River is an excellent preamp. Very versatile, but capable of a pretty big sound (read colored). For less money, D&R makes a wonderful 2 channel transparent style preamp for about $500. No bells and whistles, just a wide open deep sound.