At one time, during the 80's, Rupert Neve owned Focusrite and did the design work. Rupert has not had a lick of involvement with Focusrite for well over 15 years, and while his drawings may be the basis for the design on the products manufactured by Focusrite, the implementation of those designs is FAR from the originals.

Avalon products are some of the best made... but the bigger question is "what are you trying to achieve?"

Your signature file says "RIP Dimebag"... which says to me that you're probably not looking for "clean", something I would consider the Avalon, something the Focusrite would like to be if it were better built.

What other equipment will be in use?

What sounds are you hoping to record? All of them? Just vocals? Guitars?

Your ability to gain different textures that will hopefully assist you in translating the musical statement that is your music will be a function of what you want to hear from your music... in other words, it's not really possible for someone to really compare and contrast the Focusrite/Avalon differences as these comparisons will be irrelevant to your reality.

Best of luck with the search.

pre amps

Thanks for the reply Fletcher! :D
1) I would like to record vocals with one pre amp. I was thinking of getting an Avalon M5 for this.
I am looking for the BEST unit I can get. Cost is not the question.
2) I also want to get 1 or 2 pre amps for the drum mics. I am using an Audix D6 for the kick drum and a Shure KSM as the kit mic.
I get decent sound out of the 2 mics, however the pre amps on my Allen & Heath mixer are anything but steller! :lol:
The EQ on the A&H is O.K. ...so even if the pre amp didn't have EQ, maybe I could live with still using the A&H EQ section.
3) I also need one killer pre amp (or Direct box) to use on guitar.
Maybe a Manley Slam (or one of their other products) or an Avalon M5.
I like heavy music. And I do like that real over driven sound.
FYI--I have an Avalon U5 I am using on Bass guitar (I like it alot)
Please reply....or ask me anything that was not answered

Look into API. They are great for rock and metal because they have teh big, in your face, sound. You can get into API fairly cheap, if you go the correct route: API 512C and an API lunchbox of some kind will run you about $1300. Then you can get additional 512cs for about $600 each and they are stellar pres. There is no EQ but I stay away from EQs on pres for the most part, I mostly get the best mic'd sound I can get and then EQ ITB. I do all rock and metal projects at my studio, and the API really rounded out my sound and brought the mixes more to the front. If you want some clean pres look into the Sytek MPX 4aii (4 channels, no EQ) it's about $880 new.

pre amp

Thanks TheBlueRoom!!!
That is just what I needed to know. That sure is a lot better price than the $2000 it cost to get an Avalon anything.
I will look into the API.
Thanks again! :D