anyone have any comparative insights?

i'm familiar with the Onyx pre's and like them a lot. but what about PreSonus' XMAX preamps?

So Ive gotta build a POS preamp for one of my classes, Im not expecting anything out of that. But it did get me wondering if there are nicer kits available somewhere. I wouldnt mind trying to tackle a much more complicated, somewhat higher end kit. Ive been searching google for a little time but most of the kits are cheap and cheesy.

OK, I took the leap of faith and got a UA LA610. The reason I bought it is that it was half price- used- and I figure I can sell it if I don't see an improvement in my sound. Obviously I will see some improvement, but how much with just one component is a mystery. I record original tunes alone even though I am in a cover band, so one channel strip is enough for me.

i have been having trouble with a his in my recording i can get rid of it with a noise gate that i have but it takes back on the quality... i have been told preamps will get rid of the hiss. is that correct?

Could anybody recommend a good preamp (tube or solid state) that would give me the capability to get nice saturation/distortion. I've got the bluetube, but the tube seems to have died. Turning up the tube drive doesn't affect the signal. I'm into a lot of 50s, 60s, 70s stuff. Want something that would give me some nice, warm distortion, if I want it.

I have been using a EMU 0404 USB interface for awhile now but I recently bought a PreSonus Studio Channel which has a sweet preamp in it. I no longer really need the EMU because I don't like stacking preamps but I will still need the USB connectivity.

Can someone show me the way to just a simple USB interface I can come out of my PreSonus into then go into the computer?

I just ordered the PreSonus Studio Channel in hopes of increasing the quality of my recordings. Any of you guys out there have a chance to check this thing out before? Let me know what you thought if you have!

I'll let you guys know what I think of it once I go through it.

Just a little confused as to what the phantom power actually does if I still need a preamp.

i'm using the cheapo mxl990/991 set of condensers, with a seperate phantom power supply, plugged in to a line 6 pod xt via XLR -> 1/4" adapter

the pod is plugged in to my macbook via usb

How would I hook up the M-Audio Buddy to my Audiophile 2496 sound card to get the best quality. And also which would be better, The Audio Buddy with the Shure SM58 or the Audio Buddy with the MXL 990?

Curently i have a fender blues deville 4x10 from 1994. I record using a sm57, into a firestudio project to my software. My amp sounds pretty good when i play with it live in overdive..but when i record it..it just sounds weak and fuzzy. I have about 1500 to spend, Would i be better off with a great preamp like a groove tubes SuPRe, or would i be better off getting a mesa boogie amp.