Question

I have a dbx preamp and have used it for years without issue, but am thinking of raising my game in the gear department.  Before I spend on a Grace preamp, which costs about $600, I thought I'd throw the question out to the community.

Answer 1

Hi Jonathan,

 Many people have many different takes on the subject.  The three top choices, in my opinion, that won't break the bank are: 1) Grace 101($565)  2) True Systems P-Solo($599) and 3) Universal Audio 710 Twinfinity (my personal choice for $799). Eventually it seems, when budget permits to do so, that most experienced V.O. talent upgrade to an Avalon channel strip which is $2250.00.... Best of luck and here's a helpful article on the subject www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct12/articles/preamps.htm

Cheers,
Ryan S.

Comments

I purchased a Grace M101 as it was the recommended preamp to boost the Shure SM7B, which I initially acquired for VO but now use it fro broadcast downtown. The Grace currently serves as my remote pre (a Centrix would be simpler but I already have the Grace) and it serves as a backup in case my main solid state studio preamp fails. On the road, the Grace is nice and light. I will say this - the Grace is billed as ultra-clean and it IS clean, but almost clinical. Probably due to a lack of input, or output transformers. You want to stay away from the colored pres for VO work, but the Grace I found is just a bit too crisp....and anyone working with a Chinese-made condenser that exhibits overly-crisp hi freq to begin with, will really notice it.

My main pre is a John Hardy M-1, which is solid-state but also with transformers in and out, hand-built by the master in Illinois, and it's lovely. About twice the cost of the Grace. but worth it to my ear.

The good thing about the Grace is it is nice and light, does not color the audio at all. LOTS of gain available, up to 75 db and it also has a HP filter and a ribbon mic mode. But there is clean, and then there is hospital-smell antiseptic. I find it the latter, for me.

Answer 2

I purchased a Grace M101 as it was the recommended preamp to boost the Shure SM7B, which I initially acquired for VO but now use it fro broadcast downtown. The Grace currently serves as my remote pre (a Centrix would be simpler but I already have the Grace) and it serves as a backup in case my main solid state studio preamp fails. On the road, the Grace is nice and light. I will say this - the Grace is billed as ultra-clean and it IS clean, but almost clinical. Probably due to a lack of input, or output transformers. You want to stay away from the colored pres for VO work, but the Grace I found is just a bit too crisp....and anyone working with a Chinese-made condenser that exhibits overly-crisp hi freq to begin with, will really notice it.

My main pre is a John Hardy M-1, which is solid-state but also with transformers in and out, hand-built by the master in Illinois, and it's lovely. About twice the cost of the Grace. but worth it to my ear.

The good thing about the Grace is it is nice and light, does not color the audio at all. LOTS of gain available, up to 75 db and it also has a HP filter and a ribbon mic mode. But there is clean, and then there is hospital-smell antiseptic. I find it the latter, for me.