Compressors&Preamps

[curb]

Hi I have been looking through numerous amounts of compressors and preamps made by many different companys, but the only true way to decide on a good product is to see it in action. Right now Ive got about $1700 to spend on one good compressor, and one good preamp, directly focused on vocal tracking. What do you guys use out there or have heard is worth spending your money on? (starting my first studio)
Brody B

[ajazzie]

Have a look at the Focusrite Penta, compressor and pre, cheap and a good starting point.

Nice pre and simple comp.

AJ

[M Lawrence]

if you wanna do it for cheap, you just will not be able to beat both fmr's really nice pre & really nice compressor. at $700, you'd not only have 2 units that pee all over the penta, you'd have $ left over to buy speck electronic's asc 4-band eq (the transformer version),
http://www.speck.com/asc/asc_2.shtml
which only costs $550! otherwise, for $1700, you'd be close to having enough for a really nice pre AND a distressor, which is a seriously great compressor. another alternative worth considering is the api or old school audio 500 series in a lunch box (or similar) frame, w power supply. your budget would definitely do this. api has a 500 series compressor, & old school are soon to have.
http://www.oldschoolaudio.com/
the great thing about this scenario is that once you have the frame with the 2 components, it'll only run you about $500 every time you want to add another pre , compressor, or eq (the frames generally hold 8 to 11 units).
lastly, an avalon 737 is one mighty piece of gear (the pre & the eq are excellent, the compressor, though not very surgical, is certainly usable), and, for the money, is THE only (as in the price goes up from there) voxbox/all-in-one unit worth considering. mate, if you've got $1700 to spend, you have enough to stay away from the budget (fmr's stuff not included, as it just happens to be very good) range gear. good luck.

ml