Thread: preamp upgrade

The 386 seems dull and muddy to me. The best application I ever found for it was running from the preamp out into my direct guitar rig, back into the 386 and through it's converters.

You can get a lot of things for $1000.

How many channels do you need?
For acoustic based pop I'd think you want something more clean and neutral.
For one channel you can get a Hardy.
Sytek will get you four channels for aboout $800. Not as great as a Hardy but pretty darned good and a steal for $800.
RNP isn't exactly colorless but it's not exactly highly colored. 2 channels for $450 or so.
I think you cna get 2 channels of Grace for about $1,000....that might be a good way to go.

At least two channels. Otherwise I'll be stuck with the 386 or maudio pres for stereo tracking. I've been considering the Sytek. The two channel Grace is a little out of my price range unless i'm totatly convinced it's the best option for me. Then I just have to convince my bank account!

I have both the sytek and the grace and I must say that they have kinda a similar clean sound, though the grace is much 'cleaner' almost antiseptic.
I prefer the grace for some aplications, such as ribbon mics and a clean bass di- also for jazz vocals. the sytek, especially with a burr brown option -is a bit better for male rock vocals (if you have to choose between the 2) for $800 or so the sytek is a very good value IMO. You can buy them direct from Mike (the manufacturer) on ebay. i also hear that the 8 ch Studio Projects preamp is very similar to the sytek with burr brown pres as well- and its only $600 for 8 chanels. i haven't heard it though, while I do own the other 2

I also hear that the Mackie onyx is comparable toi the sytek and its $1000 for 8 ch

last chance to stop me before I get the Sytek....

To me, despite supposedly being "tube" it sounds cold and harsh. Also, it seems really easy to overdrive

Dont throw away that DBX386, replace the Chinese tubes with Mullard or TELEFUNKEN tubes, and for under $75.00 you can get a nice sound out of it. But vocals is not it strong point. :lol: