Tube pre-amp

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Will25

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I'm after a tube pre-amp at a cheap(ish) price...but not too cheap that it's poor quality! I saw the Art Tube mentioned but I've read that it isn't all that great...can someone give me something else to look at? Around £100 would be ideal, give or take a bit! Cheers
 
You aren't going to find a "tube" (heh...) preamp at that price that actually uses the "tube" --

There is good tube gear out there -- But with the vast (VAST!!!) majority of the "budget friendly" stuff, the "tube" is a marketing piece.

As if tubes ever gave "that tube sound" in the first place (they don't).

If you're looking for a reasonably decent preamp in that price range, grab the M-Audio DMP3. It's probably the only preamp in that price range I'd want to use. It has no usable headroom (nothing in that price range does), but if you're "nice" to it, it's relatively nice to you.
 
Ah ok thanks, I'm generally a newb so I'll avoid the budget tubes then...I'm going into a Tascam 488 mk II so the M-Audio DMP3 should suffice? I'm not even that clued up what a pre-amp is for other than boosting a signal! lol
 
Massive is correct.... avoid the whole "tube" thing in terms of preamps at the budget end. You'll have greater things to concern yourself with as you learn to record..
 
Will25 said:
Ah ok thanks, I'm generally a newb so I'll avoid the budget tubes then...I'm going into a Tascam 488 mk II so the M-Audio DMP3 should suffice? I'm not even that clued up what a pre-amp is for other than boosting a signal! lol
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A preamp is what you'll find on a mixing console per channel that a microphone will plug into via XLR connection.
Every stand alone preamp has different bells and whistles that varies per manufacturer. From straight forward raw preamp to -- preamps that have EQ or Compressor or a combination of all then at that point they are called channel strips. ? Go figure.

Just about in your price range is the *golden age pre73* which I like. Then there is the *JoeMeek* stuff .....

BUT remember you don't always have to purchase new! With your budget you could afford a unit that is 2X or 3X the worth of your budget with pre-owned gear. ;)
 
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it's not tube but there are plenty of Alice Mic amps (single and twins) on evilbay. its the cleanest preamp i own and has lots of headroom. i think i paid around £60 for a twin unit . You can run a ribbon mic through it easily and it's fairly transparent. Just my two pence
 
Thanks, the golden age pre looks idea (but the price doesn't!) I'll have to get saving. the above alternative sounds ok as well...now I'm started on ribbon mics though :/
 
I keep telling everyone about these but no one believes me. They are no neve but for the price they sound very good, I own 2. Review here.

Alan.
 
Thanks, these look good and the price isn't too bad either. Shame they've been discontinued over here though, will have to look at 2nd hand I think
 
Will25 said:
Thanks, these look good and the price isn't too bad either. Shame they've been discontinued over here though, will have to look at 2nd hand I think
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Discontinued over where? where are you? Who said? They are still a current model.

Alan.
 
Ah yeah you're right...just the store I usually go to says they're discontinued. Still probably better value to get one used though!
 
Tube Pre

Go to Audiogon.com

Scads of preamps as well as other audio equip advertised for sale.
 
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