Re: inexpensive small true mic preamps

[improv@peak.org]

I'd recommend the Electro Harmonix 12ay7 Tube Mic Pre. It's a small mono
full-voltage tube preamp that sounds really wonderful, and you can usually
find it for around $160. I have 2 and I like them slightly less than my
Neve's, which cost about 10x. The only negatives I see in the EH's is that
they are relatively low gain, they are fine with most condensers or
dynamics, but don't have enough gain to really handle ribbon mics. Also,
it doesn't feel like the most solidly built box. But it really sound
wonderful, I like running cheap Chinese small diaphragm condensers through
it to tame their harshness.


> I want to get either a mono or a stereo, tube mic preamplifier
> that has a small footprint and also is a true tube mic pre.
>
> If memory serves me correctly,  there was thread here where
> someone said that the inexpensive tube mic pres, like the Art
> where not true tube pres,  sending only a small amount of the signal
> through the actual tube.
>
> In that thread , if it was indeed, here,  someone highly recommended
> a small stereo tube preamplifier that actually passed all the signal
> through
> the tube and also was not prohibitively expensive (I believe in the
> $170-$200
> range).
>
> Can anyone refresh my memory or at least recommend something, small
> that sounds good and doesn't cost an arm and a leg?
>
> thanks, in advance,
>
> Rick
>
>