Mic PreAmp Poll $100-$250

[Tweak]

M-audio DMP3 (Dual)

PreSonus BlueTube Stereo


DBX 286a


ART TPS II 2-channel

Behringer TI953 Tube Ultragain

[lilguitar]

I realize that this is a fairly new poll, well almost two months old, but only 7 people have responded. Has no one really used the PreSonus Bluetube DP? I'm wondering how it compares to the Tube Pre, I asumme they are pretty much the same only two channels. Anyone upgrade to this by chance and can compare it? Thanks.

[Marianop]

I have the DMP3, and I am extremely happy with this preamp. I would prefer to have an Avalon or an RNP. However, those babies are way out of my budget. Thus, the DMP3 takes my vote for its bang for the buck.

[mamm7215]

Well I got the bluetube dp and it's fine. Tons of gain, 48v phantom and the ability to blend the amount of tube circuit or turn it off completely leaving only the solid state pre-amp and it's got class A circuitry. I listened to both and I've read a lot of posts about how the m-audio is way cleaner but a lot of these a/b's were with the bluetube, not the bluetube dp. It's a different animal than the predecessors and as far as low-mid range pre's go, if you think it's going to make your music better, you shouldn't be home recording...

[tony conley]

Used the blue tube at a friend's studio in Sacramento back in November....It did a fine job, going into a Roland workstation....Warmed things up nicely....

[Rod J.]

Tweak,
I have the Behringer T-1953 and it does what they claim it said! Tube warmth is sort of subtle (thinking about replacing with some premium tubes) but really does boost the signal to a useable level! I enjoy it! I thought I had a bad channel last night only to find out it was a routing issue! Thank God! Everything a "GO" so far!
Thanks,
Rod J.

[Blue Bear Sound]

I have the Behringer T-1953 and it does what they claim it said! Tube warmth is sort of subtle (thinking about replacing with some premium tubes) but really does boost the signal to a useable level!

Umm.... "tube warmth" has NOTHING to do with any sort of level boost. Any mic pre's function is to raise the signal from mic to line level....

The only thing tubes do in budget configurations is add a slight coloration to the signal. The level gets raised regardless of whether the tube is in the circuit or not.

[Rod J.]

Blue Bear Sound,
Reguardless of what you say, I like mine!
Entry Level or not! Any suggestions on Tube replacements? Brands? Tube Numbers? Etc...?
Thanks,
Rod J.

[The Miles Park]

I am deeply considering getting that behringer. But I have read reviews of quality issues, channels and lights going out. Anyone else have anything to say about it?

[nanashiwanderer]

do a forum search behringer is a jack of all trades and a master of none, i speak as owner. There products are of exceptional value price to features, but they are not any mean quality. Behringer Gear is generally they get the job done, and anyone else would cost 3xs as much. I've had 3 pieces of gear from them, V-amp 2, a guitar amp, a mixer. I've used there effects pedals. The quality isn't anything compared to other brands, theyre components are generally plastic when other brands use metal ect. Sound quality wise compared to other gear in the same class (IE: Small format mixers with small format mixers, Solid state guitar amp to another solidstate guitar amp with similar features) they tend to be somewhat inferior to their competitor... but depending on how heavily use your gear (I use my V-Amp 2 for silent practice nothing else really), its often justifiable to buy behringer equipment over another brand. That being said i wouldn't buy any piece of behringer gear in the intension of it being my primary piece of gear. I'd buy it to learn on, or something to fill an immediate need until I move to something better, or a secondary piece of equipment for back ups or rare circumstance when I need a particular function met.

[Steve Foreman]

I have the two Presonus Blue Tubes Very good sound for the money I I think. I use them with my Bass Guitar Shure Beta 57, Shure Beta 58A, and Electro Voice Dynamic, AKG Perfection 200 and Neumann TLM 103 for 3D animation sound tracks.

[scottanderson]

This is in that same price range and emulates a number of preamp sounds. I suppose I've horrified the purists, but we're talking about a budget preamp solution here. I'm interested in any opinions.

[_controlfreak]

D
M
P
3
.

Relatively clean, clear, and loud. Add whatever "warmth" or junk you want after you've got a good source for the money.

[jar4ever]

The RNP is under $250 per channel. Does it qualify?

[taskforce]

How about a comparison of the old Blue Tube to the new one?

I personally just bought one of the older models from Ebay, which I prefer over the newer ones. Nice and dirty.

[Rod J.]

I am deeply considering getting that behringer. But I have read reviews of quality issues, channels and lights going out. Anyone else have anything to say about it?

No channels or lights out on my bro! I like it for how it sounds and what it does and so will you!
Rod J.

[Steve Foreman]

I used them recently to record a ballad style singer. I used i with a Neumann TLM 103 and accent mics with them with some marshall 603s. The sound was bight but fat and not so surgical digital. and in your face up close and person, which is what the artist wanted. They madwe the mic sound strong and louder than other $200 Tube I've heard and more pronunced. The ability to dail in just the right amount of tube warmed so great. I cound hear the difference clearly. I Try the Behinger 1953 and it was kind of a thin tube warmth compared. I put a grove tube in the behinger 1953 it it sounded super-great actually better the the Bkuetube.

The old tube don't sound as good as the newer dual BlueTubes in my opinion. The Nwer is more pronounced and can get warmer and cleaners.

[Rod J.]

Hey Steve!
How do you like that Presonus Eureka?
Rod J.
Chester,Va.

[MartyMcFly]

I am deeply considering getting that behringer. But I have read reviews of quality issues, channels and lights going out. Anyone else have anything to say about it?

Vegas, baby, Vegas! Roll the dice.... When you hear both good and bad reviews to both extremely, people must be passionate about the gear! Whether you love it or hate it, Behringer sure spawns some discussion.

Personally I'm not a fan of Behringer but voted for the T1953 becuase you can hotrod it! I think with some new tubes and replacing some op amps you'd still be within budget.

[kernmount]

I've had a DMP3 for 3 months now, and I am a little under-whelmed by it, although I think it's the best out of the ones in this poll, IMO.

I do not find it warm. It's pretty neutral and a smidgen on the brittle side. Of course placement and the mic selection are key here. On the upside, I really like the sound of it via my SM57s, even though gain seemed to be an issue.

The meters are silly.

But heck, it's only $160.00USD. What do you expect? It's certainly worth that.

[versechorusjvh]

I use the BlueTube DP as my main Pre besides the 4 focusrite pre's in my digi 002, and it suits me just fine

but does anybody else find the "tube blend" thing pretty useless? for me it seems like it just adds a really crappy, solid-state sounding 'crunch' (like a crate practice amp)

[KrAzYKeyZ]

Relatively clean, clear, and loud. Add whatever "warmth" or junk you want after you've got a good source for the money.

nicely done

[telecasterguru]

I have Behringer Mic2200 which I have used rarely with my MAudio Project Mix (it basically fell apart after a couple of uses) but have just bought a Presonus Blue Tube second hand and find it to be great and would recommend. Sounds clean and clear. Very good value.

[Nanashi]

Theres one not on this poll, thats kind of a bit harder to find. The RANE MS1b. Gotta a lot talk 7 or 8 months ago, as being probably the best in this category, especially interms of whats going inside it.

[Equilibrium8]

No mention of the DBX anywhere here... Surely a dedicated solid state would beat the half-assed tubes in this price range...