Single Channel Pres Around $1000

[fierojoe]

Hey guys, I have been looking around and I need some input on a good Single Channel Pre-amp for around $1000 to $1500 range. Focusrite, Avalon, Who?!? I know I'm probably not going to get an Avalon for around $1500, maybe used (but who would sell one). Thanks!

 

[ozraves]

I'd seriousy consider an A Designs MP2. It's a two-channel tube preamp. I've reviewed the MP1: www.piemusic.com/mp/mp1.html

Here's a dealer link: http://www.macmidimusic.com/prod.itml/icOid/4178

 

[DigitMus]

Definitely include a Great River MP-1NV in your list of candidates.

Scott

 

[Son of Mixerman]

There is a Summit Dual tube mic pre on ebay..... Pretty good choice for most Rock stuff. Starting bid was only $250.
Just another option in the mic pre game.
You can pic up a single Summit for under a grand.


SoMm

 

[Solafide]

This is a two channel pre so you might not be interested in it, but the Demeter hm1 is pretty amazing IMHO.

I bought mine used for 550, new they run for a little over 1000 (bayview pro audio).

I don't know what you are planing on using the pre for, but The Demeter unit is very quite, very detailed and good attack for a tube pre, and is very good as a bass DI as well (almost worth the price just for that). For guitar, vocals, overheads, etc. it really shines. Check out some reviews. This might not be what you are looking for, but it is a valid option. (I like haveing a stereo pre myself, for the added flexibility.)

 

[atlas]

Definitely include a Great River MP-1NV in your list of candidates.

Scott

I don't think you'll find any disagreements on that opinion! Great River excells.

Nathan Eldred
atlasproaudio.com

 

[Flatpicker]

Definitely include a Great River MP-1NV in your list of candidates.

Scott

Definitely! Also consider the John Hardy M1. If you're music is rock-electric based, I'd go with the NV1. If it's more acoustic based, I'd go with the M1. But that's just MHO and certainly not the rule. Either would be great.

The A Designs MP2 Oz mentioned would be tempting since it's two channels for not much more money. I haven't heard any examples through it, but I'm guessing it'd belong in the rock-electric category.

 

[NathanEldred]

I thought the A Designs was a little harsh in the upper mid range.

Nathan Eldred
atlasproaudio.com

 

[ozraves]

Definitely! Also consider the John Hardy M1. If you're music is rock-electric based, I'd go with the NV1. If it's more acoustic based, I'd go with the M1. But that's just MHO and certainly not the rule. Either would be great.

The A Designs MP2 Oz mentioned would be tempting since it's two channels for not much more money. I haven't heard any examples through it, but I'm guessing it'd belong in the rock-electric category.

The A Designs is tube high fidelity. It takes what you put in. It gives it an edge which varies depending on the source. And, it puts a big image in the monitors.

I truly believe the A Designs is one mic pre that could be used on any sort of music. I have a personal bias against one channel mic preamps. The John Hardy M1 would be a good choice as you could add more channels. The Great River ME-1NV is a good choice as it's probably the most useful representation of the 1073 sound.

Steve
www.mojopie.com

 

[ozraves]

I thought the A Designs was a little harsh in the upper mid range.

Nathan Eldred
atlasproaudio.com

I didn't hear anything I'd categorize as harsh. The legit guys are loving the MP2. A very prestigious music school in your part of the world bought several units. Royer loves 'em. Still, tube high fidelity is not for everyone.

Steve
www.mojopie.com

 

[Rev E]

Something else to consider: Sebatron. I don't have one and have never heard one, but it got a great review at recording.org. Sounds compelling. Sebatron sells a 2 channel unit for $850 or a bit more than $900. http://www.recording.org/e-mag/article_90.shtml and www.sebatron.com

 

[Dot]

fierojoe, what are your applications and what type of music will you be recording?

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions

 

[atlas]

I didn't hear anything I'd categorize as harsh. The legit guys are loving the MP2. A very prestigious music school in your part of the world bought several units. Royer loves 'em. Still, tube high fidelity is not for everyone.
[/url]

Good for all of them, the masses win. That's what I heard, I lived with the unit for over 6 weeks, compared to everything I had in the rack and then some. Or is Manley, Pendulum, Millennia M2B and the GT Vipre not tube high fidelity enough of a comparison? I'm not here to start a debate, it's what I heard and it took a while to start noticing that, but once the tracks were laid down it became even more apparent. If I had liked it I would have added it to the rest of the line.

Nathan Eldred
atlasproaudio.com

 

[fierojoe]

Dot,

The pre-amp really needs to be almost "All purpose". One day it will be micing an accoustic the next will be rock vocals, so it varies quite a bit. I am quite sure anything will be better than what I have. Right now I am running an Event pre-amp that was like $50. It has low cut, phanton, and phase reversal, so it works just fine, but it does color the sound more than I'd like.

 

[Dot]

fierojoe, IMO the single best all-purpose mic pre is the John Hardy M-1. And you can get an M-1 Personal MicPreamp here for $950. The M-1 has been around since '87 - long before everybody and his brother started making external mic pres – and has more than proven itself. I talk regularly with a lot of the top pre designers, and they all hold John Hardy in very high regard, and many of them consider the work done by Deane Jensen - of Jensen Transformers - and John Hardy to be a benchmark of modern pre design.

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions

 

[Flatpicker]

fierojoe, IMO the single best all-purpose mic pre is the John Hardy M-1. And you can get an M-1 Personal MicPreamp here for $950. The M-1 has been around since '87 - long before everybody and his brother started making external mic pres – and has more than proven itself. I talk regularly with a lot of the top pre designers, and they all hold John Hardy in very high regard, and many of them consider the work done by Deane Jensen - of Jensen Transformers - and John Hardy to be a benchmark of modern pre design.

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions

I certainly don’t have Dot’s credentials but from what I’ve heard/read about the M1 and the audio samples I've heard using it, I totally agree with what he said.

 

[moeses]

no one's throwing in the Phoenix Audio DRS-1?

 

[engineear]

I believe all of the aforementioned will give you stellar results. The DACS Clarity MicPre has not been mentioned and is absolutely phenomenal! If you have an oppotunity to try one..do so. It is my "uncolored" go to Pre. My "colored" go to Pre is the MP2-NV............a tremendous amount of versatility w/ the input/output gain structuring & the sound is stunning.

My 2 beaners,
b-Man