The UA preamp is cool - just used a 6176 on bass last week.  It works fine.  In fact, there isn't that much difference between the ones listed above - or the more expensive kind.  The differences are subtle.  Worthwhile if you can afford it, but not necessary.  Of the lower-priced preamps the Tone Beast from warm audio is will give you a lot of variety.  It will go from fairly clean to as dirty as you want.
 
If you don't want to worry about your hardware no more get an RND Portico II channel strip.  You have to work to make it sound bad or overdrive it.  absolutely stunning.
 
But really, for 90% of the people 90% of the time on 90% of the systems you can't tell the difference between the best and an ic interface preamp.  Maybe you can, and if it matters to you and you don't have to spend the kid's college fund go for the most you can afford.  You won't regret it.  But necessary?
 
I knew Mike.  Hell, I'm always kidding you and wondering if the ;-) comes through the virtual page.  You've never called me a ... whatever ... so sauce for the gander.  And I always enjoy your opinions on hardware, etc.  Knowledge based stuff, like you actually use equipment and just not passing on rumors.  Now pass the Stevie Nicks ...
 
@

Thanks Thomas, AT. I'll be off in my hut reading for a while if anyone needs me.
 
And now back to our regularly scheduled thread...

A very good mic and a very good pre will definitely make your recording experience more enjoyable.   It's that moment when you get it plugged in and running and you think, "There's that sound that I've heard on my favorite records."

Mod Bod
 It's that moment when you get it plugged in and running and you think, "There's that sound that I've heard on my favorite records."

 
Right you are, Mod Bod, right you are!

Congratulations Thomas! Glad you're getting good results.

Thank you Leadfoot.

Congratulations on the new gear. Hope you get everything the way you want it!

Thank you Starise.
 
I'm really gonna put forth a great effort to get the best quality gear I can afford, and that I know of.

I did some research, and ended up with a plan to move forward, preserve options, and realize at least some benefit now.
 
I picked up a UA 710, Joe Meek ThreeQ, TC Helicon Voiceworks Plus, DBX 1066, and a pair of patchbays, XLR and 1/4" TRS. I am ordering a  GAP Pre 1073 today.
 
That wil give me a selection of tube and non-tube preamps to use immediately, a transparent dynamics controller to just take the edge off peaks on the way in, and an effects processer that should double as an analog reverb unit for vocal headphone monitoring, and adigital effects processor via SPDIF for post processing.
 
(I also stumbled over a used MOTU 2408 w PCI card for $170, that will fit nicely into a supporting PC in either the tracking or control room, an unexpected bonus!)
 
That leaves a 1 rack unit space for future expansion in directions not yet considered, and a two unit half space that will probably end up filled with an Avalon M5 or V5, I haven't decided yet.
 
The M5 seems to be a better pre, while the V5 offers a good pre plus DI and reamp capabilities.
 
I'm not sure how well the rackmounts for the UA and Avalon will coexist, but they physically fit the space, and I hope mounting won't be too difficult.
 
Thomas and others, I appreciate the time you took to point me in the right direction,  it made wading thru the infinite variables MUCH easier.
 
Thanks!

Hi Jay Tee:
 
Congrats on the new gear you've acquired!
 
I like MOTU! I'm still contemplating getting two more of their audio interfaces, the HD 192 and the 896-MK3 ( I might need the 896 for its mobility and those 8 high quality preamps it has.) Decisions, decisions, decisions.
 
I'm interested in the UA 710 and the Avalon M5, as well. I still have to get a decent non tube preamp. Another preamp has caught my attention, the Vintech X73i: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/X73i I hear it does a stunning job of capturing that Neve 1073 sound. I'm impressed with the reviews I read about the unit. Now, I have to decide which to get among these three.
 
When you get a chance to use it, tell me what you think of the dbx compressor. The two compressors I've been looking at are the Warm Audio WA-76 ($600): http://www.warmaudio.com/wa76-discrete-compressor/ and the ART Pro VLA II http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ProVLA2 But I don't want to have too much tube sound in the signal chain.
 
Keep us posted?