Is this worth $500? 
by Wall of Rubbers Studio from The heartland, August 2008
Music Background:  Hobbyist

I wanted to upgrade my sound from my current Mackie CR 1604 pre’s and the max my budget could afford was the True. We compared the True to the Mackie and the relatively inexpensive M-Audio DMP3, which costs $160 for two channels. The True was a huge improvement on vocals, DI bass guitar, and acoustic guitar. The tone was transparent, smooth, warm, and immediately noticeable. For kick, snare, and tambourine there was not much difference at all. For synth and DI guitar it improved some but not a major difference. The mics used were an AKG 414 (vocals, kick, tambourine), Shure SM-81 (acoustic guitar), and Shure SM-57 (snare). I thought that the True would blow the other pre’s out of the water, but surprisingly, the Mackie and M-Audio performed almost as good as the True.

Overall, the True is a really good pre-amp, the best I’ve ever heard. And I’ll use it as my primary pre. But I can only compare it to the only pre’s I’ve ever known… the Mackie and M-Audio. So is it worth $500 when the others are almost as good for a fraction of the cost? And are the pre’s that cost more than $500 any better than the True?

  "The TRUTH" 
by Phenom from Staten Island, NY, June 2008
Music Background:  Producer, Studio Owner, Singer, Composer, Recording Engineer, Live Sound Engineer & Musician.

I use this mic pre with an AKG C 414 B-XLS, Shure SM57, SM58 & SM Beta 58. I record Hip Hop, RnB, Reggaeton, live brass, woodwinds & percussion with true, top notch, pro sound quality.

My opinion's:

1. This Mic is the truth.
2. If you have no talent or potential, there is absolutely no piece of equiptment that will help you sound good.
3. Any, and I repeat any decent, good or great mic will sound professional through this preamp.
4. Hands down the best mic pre for $500 bucks (A NO BRAINER).
5. Lastly, as good as any top shelf mic pre $500 & up.

  Very nice. 
by Gary from Pennsylvania, December 2007
Music Background:  engineer

I have used and own a whole lot of preamps in this budget range and up. Currently owning efforts from great river, chandler limited, universal audio, api and so on. I have read a ton on how this mic pre in particular wasn't very useful for male vocals and whlie I adore my other preamps for most male voices, mine just hadn't come across the way I thought it should. This preamp really gave me a "wow" factor both on my own vocals (low and gritty) and on things like acoustic guitars. I matched this one with a mojave ma-200 and it has become a real "go to" combo for me in the short time I have had it. I am really surprised that no one has reviewed this yet. Best of luck to all you potential buyers out there. I personally give this one a 5/5 10/10 or whatever you want to judge it on.

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