This is a total "no brainer" .... get the API, you will never glook back.

Kurt Foster

If you want that over-driven sound, you really should consider the Peavey VMP2 (used-no longer in production)) as preamp. It is all tube. Then you should consider their VCL2 (used-no longer in production), all tube compressor. They are great for the money. They will easilly give you that vocal that you are chasing.

The answer is way to simple and easy. For any type of vocal, I would very much rather have just the API mic pre and no eq than any preamp presonous or just about anybody else makes with an eq.