I am using a TC-Helicon VoiceWorks which has a superb mic preamp built in with the addition of pitch correction, voice doubling, reverbs, chorusing, delays and more. It is top notch in the electronics department and is super quiet. Definitely worthy of a pro studio. It cost around $600 USD. This unit does it all and works wonderfully well with a K2 and the rest of the Rode line. I even used a Sennheiser e845 Evolution dynamic mic through it with amazing results. If all you want is a preamp I'd go for the PreSonus Eureka channel strip/preamp. Unless you're planning on spending a grand or more that is as good as it gets.

I do not own a K2 but...
The ones worth mentioning are the same usual ones...

API
Groove Tubes Vipre
Avalon M5
Grace

Just chiming in...

So far, out of the pres that I have or had that I have used with my K2, this is my preference in order (first being favorite, last being least favorite):

1 - Langevin DVC
2 - Buzz Audio MA2.2 (Xformer output)
3 - DAV BG#2
4 - Buzz Audio MA2.2 (Xformerless output)
5 - Aphex 107 (with new tube and BB opamps)
6 - Mackie Onyx
7 - Grace 101
8 - Summit 2BA-221 (this mic and pre just didn't seem to work well for me. It's a shame - they're both FINE pieces of gear...)

This question about preamp is becouse of bright top end of K2. Right now i am plaing with two pieces of K2, trying to get nice stereo sound of violin.(Using MS). But i think that my preamp is weak point Focusrite Twin Trak pro. I mean it is not bad but it could be better.

Bratislav
8-)

I really like mine with the other aussie - Sebatron.

Between Rode, Sebatron and Shiraz -a lot of my paycheck seems to be heading down-under.

You may want to try dialing in the room a bit, I find classical stuff in the 10-11:00 position seems to work well if the room is good.

my .02

hey Phil- Shiraz... that's wine I belive, not audio???? :D :D :D

for he poster- I run my 2 K2's through either grace 101, high gain version or a sytek pre. I like my results!

Phil,

I am agree with 10-11 position but only in omni with Jecklin disc.
Sound image is then natural and deep but not in MS (I prefer cardioid). Otherwise there is to much of the room.

About Sebatron, it is valve mic pre , class A with balanced transformer input. It`s sounds great! But what about coloration? Is it neutral enough for classical session?

Bratislav

I think it can be neutral enough for my taste - a purist (which I'm not) may find it a bit too colored. I like the color it gives. But you would need to hear it for yourself.

As with all classical recordings it really is room dependant. You can get a great sound with it and I'm very happy with my results. YMMV- (your mileage may vary). The Seb doesn't make anything sound bad and on my budget that's my goal because time is always an issue regarding set-up.

---

And Tiger - yes, The Petite Syrah grape from France traveled to Australia on a Spring Break many years ago and found a friendly environment, it made itself at home and has become a favorite of mine. It can't be all audio! Not even for gaff!
All audio all day makes Jack a dull boy.

The Eureka is nice looking but kind of sounds like garbage. I did a pre shoot out a couple months back and the only pre the Eureka beat out was the Behringer ada8000, and that was barely. It lost to the likes of Art, Joe Meek, M-Audio, and my digi pre's. All that box is, is a bunch of fancy metal knobs, and a week after that little shoot out I sold the Eureka.