New Mic - New Preamp?

I caught the upgrade bug, but I'm over it now.  I just need to learn the gear I own.  The Quad-Capture has controls I haven't even tried, a Gate and a Compressor for example.
 
I'll probably go for a better condenser mic at some point, but for now I'll bank the bucks.
 
Apologies for my temporary loss of perspective:)

It is bad when the bug bites.  I just ordered a CAD 8000 Trion tube mic.  $200 at B&H Photo.
 
As to the preamp, I've heard yea and nay on the PreSonus.  Personally, I'd go with the WARM or a focusrite ISA One, which can be found close to $300 used.  They are two preamps you won't get rid even if you win the lottery. 

see this thread.  I just went through the preamp thing, and there was lots of good info shared.
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/new-preamp-m3202175.aspx

olemon

sven450
see this thread.  I just went through the preamp thing, and there was lots of good info shared.

Thanks.  Yeah, I read that thread recently and again just now.  I was looking at that JoeMeek threeQ because of features for the price, but there are some budget tube preamps out there I may try, like the ART Tube MP for $50 new. 

I'm sure I can vouch for many of us here that have wasted good money on cheap gear because of g.a.s. only to regret it. I have come to realize that a better approach is to utilize what I already own for the time being and save up for quality items that will be useful for years to come.
 
Rocky

If you have to go inexpensive the little ART MP isn't bad.  It is the same ole IC preamp everyone else puts in their cheap mixers and interfaces, which is decent and works fine under most circumstances.  It has a starved-plate "tube" that adds some distortion (little saturation before).  Works great if you want a fluffy bass but precious little else I've found, but there is not much else use for it, tho you may find you like it.  Otherwise, it works well as splitter, DI, etc.  A great little box to have around, although it is in my live kit these days.
 
@

You could get both the FMR and a Tascam U7000 for $874($475 +$399) and have 4 channels of "really nice" preamps, but maybe GC doesn't have the FMR stuff. Don't know about the One Q.
Michael
 

For  $399 usd you can add the 2 channel ADC card which fits into a slot on the back of the ISA One (and has a molex type connector to the circuit board, so it's fairly simple to add, though you will have to buy/make the proper 9 pin output cable). It allows you to select an AES or S/PDIF digital output, converting the analog preamp and DI (= 2channel) to a stereo digital out. You can also plug in 2 lines of anything else and run them through/out the convertor. Supposedly the conversion is very good("best in it's class"), though I've had a hard time finding out much about how it compares to other interfaces. Here's a link to a pic with the ADC card installed.
http://medias.audiofanzine.com/images/normal/focusrite-isa-one-digital-461841.jpg
   It's quite a handy preamp. I had been planning to buy a Cloudlifter Z, but those options (25db boost and variable impedance)are available (only 20db boost though)on the ISA One, so I don't need the Z, now. There's enough gain for an EV RE20 or ribbon, which is something to keep in mind when buying a preamp. 60db is good but for low output mics like those, 80db is much better.
   If, like me, you have an interface with a S/PDIF in/out, then the ISA One Digital is an even handier unit. I haven't bought the Digital Card yet, since I am about to upgrade my interface and don't know if I'll "end up" with S/PDIF or not. If I do, I definitely plan to add the card.
Michael
 
 

I know it's off topic but these kind of threads really get to me.
I envy you guys in the States for gear prices. In Australia we often end up paying nearly double for this type of equipment. There's the Austarlia tax (increased price because of where we are) and the exchange rate at present. When we had parity between our currencies I would often buy hardware from the U.S. pay shipping and still save 20% or more. Forget that now.