These have gotten good reviews.
http://www.seventhcircleaudio.com/?gclid=CKyTsL6x3pwCFR9N5QodV2X5Kw

I started a thread a while back about this, never did pursue it though. Perhaps when I actually get some time I can get one too.

[[url=http://[/URL]="http://recording.or…"]DIY Mic Pre kits[/]="http://recording.or…"]DIY Mic Pre kits[/]

I've been interested in the Seventh Circle kits myself after reading some input here.

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Todzilla has built several of them and says the estimates on assembly time are pretty close and he's very happy with the sound.

Someday when I have more time and a control room to put the finished product...

The first question how much do you want to spend on the kit?

Well Im looking for something up to or around 500 bucks. Im not trying to build a UA 610 here, but Id like to have some experience learning hands on with a quality pre. Thanks for the link! Thats pretty much exactly what Ive been looking for!

lots of good stuff out there

the seventh circle stuff is fine and on your side of the world

the JLM Audio stuff is great ... but I'm biased

other DIY stuff found at http://www.groupdiy.com

for the biggest learning experience
a Tubed Mic pre is a good one
and if you build point to point or on a turret board it will impress your friends

the Scott Hamptone one was nice

the DOA style opens the door to John Hardy, Fred Forssell and other gain blocks

lots to choose from so do your research before you start

Thanks Kev! Yeah I was hoping to get a tubed pre. I know its supposedly dangerous, but I mean the worst that can happen is it'll shock me to death, I dont see the down side. Haha jk. I think due to budget restraints It'll be a longer project than I anticipated. Im prolly going to be buying one piece at a time every few weeks or so. Which is fine, Im not in any rush. Unless I find a complete kit in my budget, which doesnt seem to be the case at this point. But this should be fun!

my advice is that you don't need a kit
BUT
I do get why people want to start with a complete kit

the DOA style is very simple and a good way to start
the JLM and Seventh tend to be set for chassis style
this can up the price

I like the simple one and two channel and you can see this on my pages
The JLM Baby Animal is a nice package with some variant possibilities

for a complete kit on the Tubed side
http://www.hamptone.com/products.html

for a first attempt at a construction with a better than average result
the Green Pre Mk1 is one of the best
a useful sounding unit, cheap with an excellent chance of completion for a first timer
BUT
it is not sold as a complete Kit

You could do most any kind of recording with a rack full of Seventh Circle, JLM, and Hamptone. Most critical ears would be thinking, API, Neve, and UA.......

Oh man... so many choices now... I love the hamptone tube kit, but a grand... gonna have to make some magic happen there.

the JLM stuff looks great... I wish they had kits for Dual99v500... I think I have to have that thing...

A friend of mine suggested I might try a mod kit to a cheaper pre already assembled. I dont know about this route, but its worth looking into. I know someone fixes up behringers to be half way decent, but still... can you turn a pinto into jaguar? (cars, not animals)