Best mic pres w/spidif out,$600 and below,please:)

[studiostrat]

I too am looking for a two channel mic pre to occupy my SPDIF slot in my PT rig.I only have $600 to blow.I'm particularly looking for a good vocal pre that,well,sounds more 'expensive' than it is.I've looked at the Focusright Twin Track Pro,Presonus MP20,and some of ART's stuff (MPA,etc).Your thoughts on these and other units in this pricerange would be much appreciated.
Thank You All
Studiostrat

[albee1952]

You really need to do one of two things here. Either spend more money and get a GOOD mic pre, or just go for the cheapest unit you can find. You just don't get a really good vocal pre with digital for $600. If you did, no one would spend $1000 and up for NEVE, UA610, Vintech and the like. Its kind of like buying good studio monitors for $300. The only recommendation I have is the Presonus Eureka and its only a single channel. The preamps you listed are all what I would call useable(like the DIGI pre's) but none would qualify as great. There is nothing wrong with this either if you just want to max out your possible inputs.

[Lapick]

I second what albee1952 said, you're probably not going to do much better than the digi preamps if you need 2 channels and on board converters in that price range. I have the Presonus Eureka that albee1952 mentioned and it is a decent preamp (channel strip actually) for the price but only a single channel. The AD192 converter card (optional) that goes with it will convert two channels (one from the Eureka and one line input) so you do have two digital outputs with that option as well.

Regards,

Rick

[CME]

Probably one of the best deals in your price range is the Grace Designs 101 preamp, but it doesn't have converters and by itself is around $600 new. I don't have this preamp yet but have heard good things. Add an Apogee Rosetta 200, Mytek ADC, or other converter and you'd be set. But the converter will up the price considerably. This is my plan however. Then I'll get another single channel pre or maybe a really nice two channel like the new Presonus ADL 600. Anyways I've got a lot of saving and thinking to do before I get there.

[Matt Whritenour]

you might be best off trying to find a used Apogee Mini-Me on ebay

[studiostrat]

Thank you all for your advice.Albee (and others),would you say the Eureka does fall into the category of 'better than the Digi Pres'or just 'pretty ok and good for the price?'This is my main goal:I am a DIGI owner.So are many of my competitors.I need something that sounds distinctly better than the DIGI pres for vocals without killing my wallet...Bottom line:I'm spending a grand or so to do that?Thanks for the suggestions,to ebay for a Mini Me I go.

[RuffJazzRecords]

I have a Grace Designs LunaTec V3. Duel channel mic pre/AD converter it has SPIDIF out , Word Clock. But its more than $600.00. Might be able to find one on Ebay used. They are great, paired up with my Neumann KM140's

[mrtunes]

If you are not using SPDIF, which input should the preamps go into? I am using a FMR Audio RNP going into the MBox2Pro which not only has Mic/Direct switches on the front, but also dedicated Line inputs on the back. When I plug the 1/4" TRS from the RNP into the front panel of the Mbox2pro and i have it switched to Direct, the level meter in PT bounces. When I set it to mic the levels stop bouncing.

Shure SM7-B microphone. Thanks...

[studiostrat]

If you are sending a line level signal from your FMR pre,you want your Mbox set to "Line Level".

[studiostrat]

Okay guys,here's the next question:
In facilitating that 'pro' vocal sound which we've described above,which factor is more important:
1)The Converters
2)The Mic Pre
or
3)Both
Kind of the reason why I started this thread and this idea was that I thought a combination of both was the ticket (better converters, better pre=better sound via more headroom,less artifacts,better conversion.)Whaddya think?Thank you all for your candor.
Studiostrat