Tube Pre under $300

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guitarfreak12

guitarfreak12

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Any suggestions, I just need to step this up, I'm using pre's in my Soundcraft Folio, want to get a tube pre with two channels
 
guitarfreak12 said:
Any suggestions, I just need to step this up, I'm using pre's in my Soundcraft Folio, want to get a tube pre with two channels
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You simply cannot get a new 2-channel preamp with real tube circuitry at that price. You could get something with a starved-plate "toob" gain, but that is different. If you need that feature, look at the Studio Projects VTB-1. It is $130 per channel and sounds pretty good. A similar option, in a 2-channel model, might be something like the Aphex 207. I haven't heard that one, though.

The cheapest real tube preamp I can think of is the Groove Tubes "The Brick" which retails for around $400 for one channel, but can be found used for around $300. It's worth the money if you must have tubes.
 
I use a Peavey/AMR VMP-2. Quite a nice pre, and can be had for $500-700 used. That's about the cheapest real tube pre in two channels.

I second Scrubs on the brick. Can't beat it for a single channel.

Just remembered that with the VMP-2 you get a 2 band real tube eq on each channel as well.

G-
 
ok, I'll save my money then. The only reason I wanted to get real tubes is, why not do it right the first time. Thanks
 
Yo guitfreak! You have made the mistake of buying into tube hype. Some of the finest mic pres in the world are solid state designs, and at your price level, solid state is a *much* better buy. That doesn't mean that tube pres are bad- the good ones rock, and "the brick" is a pretty good buy in its price range. Real tube pres, as pointed out above, *start* at $500 per channel, and go up from there. BTW, really good solid state pres cost as much, and can be quite pricey also. Don't buy into the idea that to do it right, you somehow need a vacuum tube to be involved. My Avalon AD2022 is a 2 channel, $2500 preamp, one of the best in the world. If I bought into tube hype, I'd believe I have to sell it for an ART tube pre. Just get *good* preamps, and stop worrying about whether they contain tubes.-Richie
 
Richard Monroe said:
Just get *good* preamps, and stop worrying about whether they contain tubes.-Richie
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Excellent advice!
 
Yea guys ... but I thought tubes were ... um ... you know ... warmer, aren't they? ? !

I hope you're just messin' with everyone. I'd hate to see you guys steer folks towards that cold solid-state stuff that will make their tracks sound all harsh and digital.
 
Chessrock, you're right. I've finally seen the light. I took a vacuum tube out of an old radio, and duct taped it right on top of my Avalon, and damn, if there wasn't a difference. Now that I know the true way, I'm going to tape one to my Carver power amp, my B.L.U.E. Kiwi, my twinQ, and hell, I may even put one on the Digi002. Then it'll be a tube002. Thanks. Do you think if I start taping analog watches to all my other stuff, it'll help?-Richie
 
As Charlie Brown said: "good grief". Ok, well, then what would be the suggestioney for 2 channels under 300.
 
I agree that a good solid state pre is better than a cheap toob pre. I do think they have thier place though I probably will only own 2 channels of tube pre for the foreseeable future, but I sure wouldn't want to give them up.....
 
Apparently the Hamptone makes a good tube pre called the HVTP2. It's only $719 although you do have to build it, but you can get it assembled for $1019.

Just a thought as well.
 
How do you guys feel about the Art ProChannel...looks like a very versatile mic preamp and ive heard some good things about it....just wanted some more opinion.
 
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