Yeah, unfortunately the price point for serious improvement tends to be roughly $500(US) per unit . . . three strong contenders come with 2 channels, a fourth with one
FMR RNP
Audient Mico
Black Lion Auteur
the Mico includes A/D the RNP functions as an instrument level DI as well as mic pre
the fourth with only a single channel is the True Systems P-Solo as Instrument DI and has dual, parallel output
below this there are a whole lot of options with more or less similar mic-pre capability that offer a range of other features . . . those features or marketing pride tend to sort out the actual prices
and even at the $500 point real improvement can be subtle
almost always improvement in environment will produce more significant results unless you are standing lips right on top of the mic, but then in all likelihood subtle improvement in mic pre is unlikely to return significant improvement in overall recording
while even iconic 'transparent' mic pre's will influence, i.e. 'color', the sound the ones I've mentioned tend to fall into the 'straight wire + gain' catagory .. . mic pre's marketed for specific coloration is a different issue and one dependent solely on subjective taste
for slightly more then the $500 units is the DAV BG1 (paid about $730 for mine four years ago or so) and short of (price wise) items like some of the telefunken clones and the API 3124 it tends to be the one I am comfortable recomending (I am comfortable with Black Lion particularly as a travel mic pre but it has some eccentricities that reduce its suitability for everyone I like build quality of Audient but the add price of the A/D is for a feature not typically needed and makes it either very specialized product or a little over priced for a general mic pre . . . for some people the stepped gain (rather then illusion of continuous) on the RNP will be 'just right' for me it never has been
