I have a friend that uses a Grace 101 with a tube (NTK) mic and really likes his results for vocals. (and I'd agree) very claen transparent pre

however the 101 ($579.00) isnt a single channel version of the 201 ($1,800.00) ...the 201 is a two channel version of the 801 ($4,300.00)

here's some feature differences from Grace designs site

101 features:
.Fully balanced transformerless mic input and high impedance instrument input
.Balanced xlr and 1/4" TRS outputs
.Ultra clean 48 Volt phantom power
.11 position precision silver contact rotary gain switch
.High quality conductive plastic 10dB output attenuator
.75Hz 12dB/octave transitional Thompson-Butterworth high pass filter
.Two color LED peak meter shows signal present and peak conditions
.No electrolitic capacitors in the signal path.
.Minimal internal signal wiring
.Ultra high resolution transimpedance gain stage
.High precision active balanced output circuit

201 Features:
Fully balanced and transformerless design
• Fast, musical transimpedance amplifier architecture
• No electrolytic capacitors in the signal path
• 24 position gold contact rotary switch gain controls
• 10 dB trim control
• 48V phantom power, 20 dB attenuator and phase reverse on each
channel
• Convenient two color led lights green with signal and red for overload
• High current output drives long cable runs and loads down to 50 ohms
• Ultra low noise internal torodal power supply

Bobby Loux,
Thanks for pointing that out. I knew there were some differences but I thought the 101 and the 201 were basically the same design but seeing your post made me realize they are completly different. Thanks for noteing that and straightening me out on that. My mistake .. :D Kurt

I'm not sure I see where you made a mistake?

the "only" thing I dont like about the grace 101 (which means absolutely nothing) ...it reminds me of those Revell models I used to build as a kid, where they would chrome plate "plastic" ..the 101's face plate looks a bit "shiney" in person.

thank you for pointing that out, I've heard and loved the sound of there 801, so basiclly I've allready heard and loved the sound of the 201, but I still haven't heard the 101, which i was thinking of buying because I though 101 was basicllt the same disign as the 801 in a mono unit.

I'll have to see if I can get a 101 and a 201 from Grace to check out. I don't care for the wall wart thing with the 101 and I am very suspicious of anything that doesn't have a large power supply but that doesn't mean my mind can't be changed. If it sounds great, that's all that matters..

On the subject of wall-warts, the 201 & 101 are obviously already different w.r.t. their supplies.
Can't imagine the 101 doesn't use a DC/DC converter while the 201 is stated to have a linear ('old fashioned big) supply.

FWIW, the proof's in the ...etc,

Peter