How important are pre-amps?

[_Brutalism_]

Ok, so I was doing a bit of research. Torniojaws suggested a good list of preamps but the API 3124+ was too pricey for a first choice. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with an Avalon AD2022 and the best use you've found for it?

Thanks!

 

[Melodeath]

Just build those $5 pre-amps I linked to

 

[greyskull]

avalon=poo

 

[Metaltastic]

Really? How come dude?

 

[LydonB]

Check out the RME mic pres.

 

[Tommy Gun]

The Avalon stuff is badass. But, if you want bang for your buck, I personally dig on the dbx stuff. We have a couple of 586's and 386's. Very nice.

 

[greyskull]

just really dull and unimpressive for the money to my ears

 

[IronApe]

I personally dig on the dbx stuff. We have a couple of 586's and 386's. Very nice.

I used to have a dbx 376 in our project studio, and happened to compare it with a TL Audio PA-1 and my Firestudio's pres... it was pretty badly beat up by both! I personally didn't like it, and found it way noisier than the others. It did have some cool features, though, and actually it could be an ok unit for a beginner for what you get for the price, but soundwise... meh.
Then again, I haven't tried other dbx pre's, so my experience comes down to that single one...

 

[HeadCrusher]

Does anybody have any experience with the Mindprint Envoice MK II? We're considering picking one up to use together with our FireFace 800. Comments?