Well, looks like I'm going for the GAP 73! Thanks everybody!

One last question, how's the GAP 73 Deluxe model? Is it worth spending the extra money for?

Does the Deluxe version add more warmth and character than the standard?

The new model from GAP uses different transformers, I believe.  I have no idea whether they are better or not.  Front End Audio etc. mod the GAP 73 w/ better transformers, but these cost about double the regular GAP.  At that price the Tone Beast would beat it to a pulp.

There's this - some use it to boost a ribbon mic..
 
http://cloudmicrophones.com/cloud12/?page_id=222
 

I use one of these, no complaints... It's pretty sweet.
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LA610mk2
 

Found this fantastic comparison between Warm and Clear amps, so I thought I'd share.
 
If you search "WARM Audio WA12 Discrete Microphone Preamplifier Review and Report" on Youtube, you'll find it. I'd post the link here but it won't let me, lol. :p

Its a head to head comparison with a clear amp (Focusrite ISA One) and a warm amp (WARM WA12) side by side. The difference is NIGHT AND DAY plus both pres are high quality and well made.

I think that's a great example of how words are so poorly suited to describe sound. If anyone listens to the the ISA One example and calls that transparent... well they can call it what ever they want to call it, but I call it thin, anemic and grainy. What ever you call it, that is a signature Focusrite sound.
 
The Warm preamp sounds pretty good, but I wouldn't say it sounds "warm". It just seems to sound pretty good to my ears.
 
 
 
best regards,
mike

The warm is obviously better, even tho I don't trust the guy's performance, how far from the mic, level settings, etc.  The ISA One isn't top of the line, but it ain't a bad preamp and certainly better than just about any interface preamp.  Esp. for home studio work.  Still at that price, I'd get a Warm.
 
@

mike_mccue

AT
Funny Mike.  But a bit over budget, I think. 
 

My Chandler TG2 just happens to be the preamp I seem to bother to re-patch the most often for various things, so I think that means it has become a favorite in my rack. It's the unit I really wish I had more copies of. I can recommend it with honest enthusiasm.
 
:-)

That Chandler is a sexy unit.

I didn't want to believe that a really nice preamp would make that much of a difference but once I got my first (what I call high end) nice preamp, suddenly I recognized a familiar type of sound I was hearing on my favorite records.  Unfortunately, once you've got a nice pre, you want another.  
 

http://sewelldirect.com/rme-quadmic-4-mic-preamp-xlr.asp?gclid=CLeXtuu9nbwCFZN9OgodnXcAjQ
 
I have one of these. I like it because it's small and portable. When I throw it in my backpack, sometimes the low-cut button gets pressed, so I double check the buttons when recording (or sometimes suffer a low-cut by accident).
 
I do sometimes use the low-cut on purpose, but usually only when running sound live and using the pre.
http://en.audiofanzine.com/solid-state-preamp/rme-audio/QuadMic/user_reviews/
 
Sound on Sound
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec03/articles/rmequad.htm
 
Best,
 
Geoff

I read these threads every time one pops up. I'm always interested in finding that "preamp gem" at an affordable price. So far, I tend to lean towards an Warm or ISA One/Two or Black Lion Auteur. Mike's recommendation of the Chandler carries weight with me, I just don't want to spend that much right now.