musicroom
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.

I agree with the frugality issue.  That's why I usually figure out what I want, sit back and be patient until a used one comes available.  If I buy something new, you better believe that it has some sort of great sale price or there is a rebate or other gear as an extra incentive to buy it.

Mod Bod

musicroom
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.

I agree with the frugality issue.  That's why I usually figure out what I want, sit back and be patient until a used one comes available.  If I buy something new, you better believe that it has some sort of great sale price or there is a rebate or other gear as an extra incentive to buy it.

Heard that. I need a plugin that scours the net for preamp bargains. I would like to stay around/under 600. I know I'm dreaming. 

The Warm Audio Tone Beast is $600.  It is basically an expanded wa12 but with a choice of transformers (or none), op amps and in/out knobs.  Very flexible beast.  Really a best buy kinda deal, since it goes from fairly clean to a little (or lot) of saturation on into distortion.  Well built with good components.

That sounds like what I'm looking for. I would love to try one out sometime. Not sure if any local music store carries them in my area. I'll have a look around to see.

http://www.warmaudio.com/
 
Tape Op has my review, SOS had one, too.  I kept the review unit which had an internal supply, and bought serial #1 for stereo in and thru put.  Even the local pro studio I use bought one, the engineer liked it so much during testing.  Most of the online retailers have it - don't know about local GC and such.  You can get a better preamp, and pay for it, but 90% of the time on 90% of jobs it will sound perfect.  The DI is nice, too.  On my soundcloud site "This is Love" used the DI on the strummed guitar.  And "Under my spell" used the TB di on bass.
 
@

I enjoyed reading your review AT. Very well done!
 
I think you and I posted in the past about the VMP-2 I've owned forever it seems. Running on a budget and based on need, I don't want to keep 2 decent preamps around. I just feel it's time for a change. The VMP-2 sounds very good at times for the material. It adds real goodness type of character, but not clear sounding enough for me- sometimes. But I have to say, the price of the single ch Warm Beast is getting close to some of the good offerings out there. I would like to have two channels of preamp. However, the preamps on my impact twin are good and I could use those in conjunction with another preamp. So I am definitely interested in the warm tone beast.  Thank you very much for offering your insights. Much appreciated.

Thanks mr musicman.
 
the vmp is supposed to be pretty good.  I've heard it, but not used it personally.  Hell, the impact preamps are pretty good - I could hear the difference between them and my old presonus.  One thing Bryce has suggested is using a Jensen 990 opamp (I think that is the right #) for clean - same as the John Hardy etc.  I have to warn, tho, that the differences between opamps, etc., is very small.  Depending upon the source, the system and one's ears it can make a lot of difference or none at all.  However, the TB does sound expensive.  Short of a bunch of different great preamps available for color, it is the next best thing I've used.
 
@

I really want to hear one (TB) now after tonight. The local music store that I do sound contracting for only had a presonus eureka for preamp customers. They offered to let me take it home for a try - they're nice like that. I've heard it's the poor man's millennia. But to the point, I now know I want another pre. The Eureka is closer to what I'm wanting to hear than the peavey and that is probably because I have heard the peavey on so many tracks over the years...   Hopefully I can check out the TB soon.
 
Have you heard or used a eureka AT? Really surprised me with clear dimensional sound I have to say... I really didn't expect to like it. I'll probably keep this one home (I get nice discounts from these guys). It will find lot's of uses. It matched up very well with a AKG 414 b-uls. So if I can get a bargain on a TB, I'll have my 2 channels and some variety.  Sounds like a plan.
 
 
 

A lot of people rave about the Eureka - I haven't used it myself.  It is a channel strip, so you have a lot more tone-shaping capability and that should keep you busy for a while.  And a transformer, which makes a lot of difference.  If you get a good deal on It great.  If you like it, keep it.  If you outgrow it you should be able to get your money back later.

+1 on the GAP Pre-73. It's really good for the price. Be careful with the knobs, though. The main selector knob can slip a little. I tightened mine a bit more with a micro-screwdriver.
 
For spoken word, I love using a tube pre, such as the Summit Audio 2BA-221, but the transformer-esque sound of the GAP Pre-73 is quite nice to listen to as well.