When I'm looking at gear I can't afford (like the Avalon) I usually go take a gander around Mercenary Audio's site. After flipping around there, I've come up with some questions and suggestions based on what I'd want to get. Are you just wanting one channel? EQ and Compressor neccessary or desired? I've liked the look of and reputation of the Toft ATC-2, the EC-1, and SPL's Channel One (although these are below your price range on the Avalon). Going the other direction there's the GT ViPre and the Great River MEQ-1NV combination. Although not on Mercenary, I also really like Mindprint'd DTC.

I'm considering getting an Avalon VT-737 for recording. The ones I've seen in person and in catalogs are the SP version, with metal knobs and black.

I've been to a demo on the DTC for Vocal preamping and I was very, very, very impressed. I liked it very much. My 2 pennies, Jacob. Personally, I am not huge fan of the Avalon 737. The preamp is pretty decent, the EQ is awesome, and the comps is just OK to me. I just feel like they are a little overpriced, but then again, its hard to find a quality pre/comp/EQ for $1800. I would look into getting a used 737 if you really want one.

Hold out and don't pay more than $1100 or $1200 for one. I have noticed however that the Avalon plays pretty darned nice with the lower end Neumann mics (TLM series, and the U87). It's almost like the weak points of the mic and the outboard channel strip work together and all of a sudden become strong points. You might want to have a look at some of the Neve'a'like channel strips. For about the same price you can get into a Vintech X73i, or for a little more get into (my personal favorite neve clone strip). You won't get the compressor with it, but you will get a fantastic preamp and a wonderful EQ. A lot of the combo boxes are fairly weak on the comp side of things anyhow until you start getting into the pendulums, nicer Drawmer, GML etc. Portishead Third Flac Rar there.

I usually feel good about getting pre/EQ combo's, but not as good about getting pre/comp combo's unless you are spending the big bucks. Universal audio also has some cool combo boxes. The EQ on them is a little more limited, but the compressors are pretty darned nice. The Preamps are also really cool, but not quite as flexible for my style as some of the others. I own a DTC and 2 Avalons, both are great products. The Mindprint gives you 2 channels for the price of 1 Avalon.

If you negotiate, you may even get them to throw in an A/D converter that goes with the DTC. I have not been disapointed in either product.

They both work as good DI units too. My only gripe with Avalon is that they base their warranty on the date of manufacture, not the date of purchase, so you could lose several months on the warranty if you buy an in stock item that hasn't quickly sold, or a demo unit. The Avalon will give you more 'tube drive' if thats what you want. You can even overdrive them for guitar effects. The Avalon has more headroom too. From what I have heard, the Chameleon has a really cool EQ, but the preamp is not up to some of the other clones. How To Install Homebrew On Ps Vita 3.51 more.

I do not mean this in a bad way, because in the end all the people I have talked have said it is still worth it, but I would be a little hesitant to compare it to the Chandler which has been getting excellent reviews. Then again, you can almost buy three Chameleons for the price of 1 Chandler. As far as the 737's go. I believe the 737sp now has the newer transformer in it that the ME edition also has so at this point getting the ME edition saves you money on all of the aluminum.

Also if I remember right, Fletcher offers double warranties on just about all of the stuff that Mercenary sells. They have their own crazy quality control stuff that they do. They purposely abuse a lot of equipment before they pick up the line.

Warhammer 40000 Ebooks Free Download more. If they like the sound and it passes their tests, than they add it to their line card. I am not sure if the doubling of the warranty is through Mercenary or through the manufacturer, but I have never heard or seen of a problem with Mercenary as far as the warranties go.