Either of the Pendulum Audio channel strips:

Quartet I
Quartet II

For that money, I would get a 1084 Neve rack mounted.

My ViPre sure gets used more than anything else since I go it a few years ago.

I'd add the Fearn VT-1 or VT-2, UA 6176, that REDD Beatles mic pre I keep hearing about, API channel strip and a few others. A few of the new AMS/Neve 1073 or 1081 re-issue's would be nice.

AudioGaff, I've heard the ViPre is pretty noisy, is this true?

I've got a MP-2NV, the 6176, and a Grace 201 already, and was looking at that as a possible addon, maybe with that new Glory Comp. Unfortunately it'll be a bit before I get to hear one.

That Manley Slam is kinda sexy.

not a suggestion but just an addition to the question:

redd 47
manely vox box

i was goin to ask this but you beat me to it :P

Any of the Tube-Tech gear has got to be worth a punt and the build quality is exeptional.

I love my Vipre but I don't know that it qualifies as a 'channel strip' per se. Although, there are some tonal controls with the various impedance settings. The response times allow you to vary the sound as well. Tubes by there very nature have a naturally occurring 'compression'. I guess the argument could be made that it has most of the charactersistics of a 'strip'

As far as traditional Channel strips layouts I really like my Tube Tech MEC-1A. Great tube pre amp, nice EQ and top notch compression.

I don't own one (yet) but I have listened to and tested a Focusrite ISA430 MKII which also sounded great. Obviously a different approach as compared to the Tube Tech but I think it is good to have a balance between Solid State and Tube gear. The EQ on this is sweet , very transparent and flexible (hmmm, sounds like an ex girlfriend of mine).

McCheese wrote: AudioGaff, I've heard the ViPre is pretty noisy, is this true?

Well, all amps of any type get noisy when you turn them way up. I don't think the Vipre is noisy at least on it's own. But ya, the more gain that is required does increase the noise and low output mics as well as ribbon mics need so much gain that there is bound to be some noise.

That settle's that. I'm not getting to get some noisy piece of crap like the GT ViPre. :lol:
Of course I am only joking. I wanted to plan on buying some more "top of the line" pre-amps. I still need quite a few more and knowing what I want before I have the money helps me read up on what I'm planning to buy. (before I buy it)
FYI---I have 4 channel's of API (the 3124+)
And a 2 channel Great River MP2NV
And a single channel Mindprint. (single tube design). Lastly I have an Avalon U5 (for bass guitar)
So I figured I'd add a Sebatron 4000e and a Sebatron Thorax, and an Avalon M5, and whatever else you guys think is the absolute best.

I know you were only joking about the Vipre but while it is nosier than my Solid Sate Amps it has not hindered my ability to make some good recordings. It might not be my first choice for a high gain extremely sparse classical peice but it is for pretty much top notch for anything else.