I would think:

Grace 101 or Summit 2BA-221 ($550)
with a
EV RE20 ($400)
with a
M-Audio Firewire Solo ($200)

Would be nearly unbeatable for the money!

Pick some of this up on Ebay and you'll be surprised how much you can save!

Good luck!

J.

Thanks. Someone suggested the DBX 286. What do you think of that for my audiobook recordings?

Cucco spelled it out pretty clearly, get an uncolored, clear, straight wire with gain premap for spoken word.

Another in line with his recommendations would be the True-Systems P-Solo
~$500.00.

TVPostSound wrote: Another in line with his recommendations would be the True-Systems P-Solo
~$500.00.

You're baiting me, aren't you... :lol:

Actually, despite my dislike of the P8 - it is awesome for many things (especially given its price). VO work is one thing at which it excels!

Anthem wrote:
Someone suggested the DBX 286. What do you think of that for my audiobook recordings?

It's a decent device. It's got a decent pre and decent "other stuff." However, decent is as good as it gets with this unit. Also, I don't see the need for all of the add-ons considering that none of them are great. The Summit, Grace and True pres are all GREAT, not good or average - GREAT. I would gladly use any of them (and have actually used all of them) to record some of my most prestigious clients.

Cheers!

J.

You're baiting me, aren't you...

Just a friendly discussion!!!

Actually, despite my dislike of the P8 - it is awesome for many things (especially given its price). VO work is one thing at which it excels!

To be fair to you and all others, I have never used the True-Systems on pristine instruments, I just record VO (professionally), and occasional rock guitar (my son's projects)
I did have a Grace 101, but needed to upgrade to a multiple unit. Cost was a factor.
The Grace DID outshine the True-Systems.

One thing with True-Systems that excells, is their service. I sent mine in after 9 months of very heavy usage, for a scratchy pot (at the very top).
Tim Spencer did not hesitate to accept it for warranty repair, and while he had his hands on it, replaced ALL eight of the pots, the day it arrived at his office.
Then called me, and asked if he could hold the unit for another 48 hours for a burn-in test, then sent it back overnight.

That is cool.

Especially given recent developments with some piss-poor customer service, I'm always happy to hear of positive results with service.

So far, I've had GREAT service from the following (kind of off topic, but worth a mention, eh?):

Summit
Royer
Audix
Manley
Mackie
Crane Song
Schoeps

And vendors I've had a lot of good luck and relations with:
Sweetwater
Atlas Pro Audio

Anyway...sorry for the brief detour. In all honesty, I'm going to probably give the True Systems another opportunity. At the time when I was using it, I was using all Schoeps "Ext" bodies. I've since found them to possess a lot of qualities I don't like. Having said that, it's possible I transferred some of the blame from those bodies to that preamp. Also, I hear that the True works great with ribbons. (That being said, do you know the impedence of the mic input on the P8?)

Also, I hear that the True works great with ribbons. (That being said, do you know the impedence of the mic input on the P8?)

The P8 is 5.5K ohms
There is a P-Solo now available without 48V, and due to that, no caps!! Also extra gain. Just for ribbons.

If you call True-Systems, Tim Spencer has no qualms about speaking with potential customers!!

Cool. Thx!

Oh... one more to add to the list -
Lynx is one of the better ones in customer service too.