On 2008-06-11, Dave gave this Samson Recording a 5


Purchase: Purchased from Sweetwater Sound. My home recording setup needed outboard pre-amps and using a mixer just wasn't cutting it. I especially wanted a tube pre-amp because the mixers tended to leave the signal sounding harsh and brittle.
Pros: These units pack a ton of features for the price: 1: vocal EQ switch. Granted the EQ curve is a preset, but every little bit helps. 2: Limiter switch to avoid clipping. 3: An enhancer switch to boost the high frequencies that may be lost by the limiter. 4: Phase reverse. 5: 10dB boost switch. 6: Phantom power (which should be a given but I just thought I'd mention it) 7: Lo-cut switch with a selectible frequency knob. 8: VU metering instead of a 5-segment LED display. It's backlit too. 9: 12AX7 tube to impart some warmth to the signal--with variable saturation control. 10: A/D converter to either 48kHz or 96kHz. I also like the fact these units are designed so that they can be stacked so the control panels are slanted upward at about a 15-20 degree angle--facilitating their use so they do not have to be set at eye-level to read the meter.
Cons: What's not to like?
Quality: Metal chassis/frame/shell. Reinforced i/o jacks anchored to frame. Detachable hard rubber feet to set the viewing angle.

Summary: All in all, the best bang for the buck in a pre-amp with a street price of less than $100.