At this point just scoping out what is out there.... a few hundred will do.

A few hundred? I'd go for a Grace 101 or True P Solo.

Golden Age R1 Tube..... for a few hundred

Thanks -- this is weird Del - on my email notification, your post is worded "Golden Gate"  R1 Tube so it threw me in the wrong direction when I tried to google it....So this is a ribbon mic that already comes with it's own power source...

well, but that's not the same thing as a PREAMP.  Del's recommendation is for a ribbon mic, NOT for a preamp.

the power supply it comes with is to power the mic (for the tube to get full voltage) but the mic still has to be connected to a preamp before sending into a LINE input of a soundcard.

ref:  http://www.goldenagemusic.se/goldenageproject/uk/products/manuals/manual_R1TUBEACTIVE.pdf

Thanks for the clarification and that PDF..... mmm learning a lot here.

Thanks for clarifying this for me, Beagle, yeah the Golden Age is a powered ribbon mic not a preamp.

I get excellent results with an R84 through a LaChappell 583s w/ an NOS Telekunken tube in it.

As always, it depends on the source.

Just to confuse you further, Golden Age also make pre-amps, the Pre73 probably being the most famous

...and even more confusion - you don't want a to use phantom power with a ribbon mic (you will ruin it). No one mentioned about a variable impedence control also helps to match the mic to the preamp. I have a Art Pro MPA that works well with my ribbon collection - inexpensive, but works well. On the high end, I have a Focusrite ISA. Take care, gs