Originally posted by apodos:
Is there a "significant" difference in sound quality between a bottom of the line mic preamp(ART tube opl-$100) vs. something like a $300-500 range preamp?

I'm looking to get good vocal and acoustic guitar recordings through a shure ksm 32/sl. I have the money to spend for the $300-500 preamp. Should I do it? Will I be disappointed with the recordings through the ART tube opl? Does any brand/model stand out among the competition?

The Rane DMS 22 is decent and includes (i) eq and (ii) stereo summing bus.

The FMR RNP is also a good choice - 2 channels of mostly clean clear gain.
--
Stephen Boyke

I know nothing about your preamp, but I have an RNP which sounds very nice to me. Being that I am pretty new to recording I am not sure I fully appreciate how good the RNP is. When I compare it's results to the results from the Pre's built into my Aardvark Q10, I am not 100% sure I hear the difference, but both pre's are considered by some to be somewhat clean sounding, meaning they do not change/color the sound a great deal. If your pre has some type of tube in it, it will likely have a character or 'sound' associated with it. For that reason I would think you might be happier in the long run with a mic pre like the RNP. Shoot, you might be happiest with both, so you can pick and choose based on taste, sound, song, source...

Hope this was of some help.

PS: A new RNP is $475 and, should you not like it, you can turn around and sell on ebay for $450 as long as you take care of it.