best low cost preamp?

fuzzking · Post by **fuzzking** » Mon Oct 31, 2016 9:25 am

I'm about to sell my field mixer which I used to plug in to before going to the sound card, so I'll need to get a nice 1-channel preamp.
Not looking for yet another cheap starved plate design noise generator, but something nice in the 'few hundred bucks' range.
Colourbox? GA 73? Anything else?

Dok · Post by **Dok** » Mon Oct 31, 2016 9:58 pm

PC or Mac? What kind of inputs does your system have (USB 2,3, Firewire, Thunderbolt, etc)? Or are you looking for something with analog output only?

fuzzking · Post by **fuzzking** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 2:59 am

Oh, I have a Mac, and all connectivity besides Thunderbolt. Could of course use a preamp with analog out only and use the converter on my sound card.

Any suggestion?

Dok · Post by **Dok** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 4:14 pm

I like to go digitally into my computer and let the interface do the D/A conversion as it will generally do a nicer job than the line-in port on a computer, plus you'd be dealing with adapters to get it down to 1/8" mini. For that I'd recommend a used MOTU 828 or something, which can generally be had for $100-200, and newer versions for a bit more. It's got decent preamps and they release drivers for every new OS, even for their old-ass hardware. For something brand new there's the Apogee One or Duet.

Otherwise something like the GA-73 is indeed what you'd be looking for.

fuzzking · Post by **fuzzking** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 6:09 am

oh, I never intended to use the computer's mini jack.

would kinda defeat the purpose of a decent pre-amp. I have a decent (well, for homerecording purposes) interface here. maybe pull the trigger on a used GA-73 someday... of course open to other suggestions.

soggy mittens · Post by **soggy mittens** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 7:56 am

You have an interface but it doesn't have any mic-pres? or you don't like the mic-pres on it?

I was going to suggest the Steinberg ur22.. as an alternative to your soundcard. It's small, cheap, and straight-forward, with quality mic-pres.

http://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/steinberg-ur22

fuzzking · Post by **fuzzking** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 8:33 am

Oh, of course I have pre's in my audio interface, but I'd like to get a nice dedicated pre. I've been using the pre's (low noise, high gain, 'transparent'... yadda yadda) of my clunky/expensive field mixer to bring mic signals up before sending them into the audio interface. thus basically bypassing the so-so pre's on the audio interface, with the interface handling A/D conversion only. anyway, I'm going to sell the field mixer and now I'm looking for a nice table-top alternative in the 300-something-bucks range. a nice dedicated 1-channel preamp

marqueemoon · Post by **marqueemoon** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 9:17 am

Radial has some interesting looking things if you just need a guitar input device.

Sytek and the FMR RNP would be my picks in the affordable mic preamp department.

If you have the money to spare I highly recommend the Great River MP-1NV or MP-2NV. Fantastic sounding and built like tanks. Not "low cost", but very much worth it.

fuzzking · Post by **fuzzking** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 12:03 pm

^thanks for the input! really not looking at guitar-only stuff - it's about mics, mostly. thanks for reminding me of the FMR RNP - totally forgot about this one. a used unit might be a great option. the other stuff you mentioned is very nice, but alas... out of my price range.

marqueemoon · Post by **marqueemoon** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 12:23 pm

fuzzking wrote:^thanks for the input! really not looking at guitar-only stuff - it's about mics, mostly. thanks for reminding me of the FMR RNP - totally forgot about this one. a used unit might be a great option. the other stuff you mentioned is very nice, but alas... out of my price range.

Yeah, two channels and a hi-z in make the RNP a pretty attractive option.

I have a pair of RNCs. They are way better than they should be for the price.

fuzzking · Post by **fuzzking** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 6:46 pm

Hmmm either a used RNP or 73 be it, then.

salty · Post by **salty** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 6:51 pm

Maybe a used isa one could fit your needs. It is very clean and lots of headroom. It has some nice featers like being able to send a preamp signal and di at the same time. Not near as colored As the 73, if that is what you are looking for.

fuzzking · Post by **fuzzking** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 3:46 am

salty wrote:Maybe a used isa one could fit your needs. It is very clean and lots of headroom. It has some nice featers like being able to send a preamp signal and di at the same time. Not near as colored As the 73, if that is what you are looking for.

ohhh

ISA is looking very promising, too! thanks!

cpeck · Post by **cpeck** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:00 am

I have the Warm Audio clone of the API 512 and I quite like it.

fuzzking · Post by **fuzzking** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:53 am

ahhh yet another one! keep 'em coming!

OffsetGuitars.com

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