Mercury or MA5 or Aurora Audio pre ?

[reddirt]

Need some advice from those of you who have heard/used these; had some intense vocal tracking last week and came to a position where I wanted a pre with a lot of easy width - extended (not bloated) bottom end without a mid focus.
I live in Alice Springs and have no way of trying before buying so hoping you can point me in the right direction. I don't care about total accuracy just as long as it's very euphonically pleasing.
With the Mercury it's not necessary to have the added gain of the M-76 but it's sound may be what I'm after, who knows? - any of you want to give me your thoughts on any or all or even something else.
Cheers, Ross Muir

[Aearth]

Cheap get the MA5, sounds a little harsh.
Mercury smooth and silky, excellent on vocals.
Aurora Audio GTQ2 you get a heap more for your money....... 2 x pres with EQ and sounds very nice..... Neve sounding.


nIC

[reddirt]

Thanks nIC , I probably should have clarified that it's mainly for vox and one channel is cool - the price difference makes the Mercury appealing if it's sound is right.
Cheers, Ross

[heathen]

The Mercury units are very very nice. Leave the ma5 out of the equation.

[Aearth]

Thanks nIC , I probably should have clarified that it's mainly for vox and one channel is cool - the price difference makes the Mercury appealing if it's sound is right.
Cheers, Ross

Ok then get the Mercury M72 as it is a little more mid forward than the M76.
Just a lovely mic pre.
nIC

[musikwerks]

I would go the Mercury too.

If you're considering the MA5 I'm guessing you have a 500 series rack. If so, I would not discount the JLM TG500 or NV500. I have both and they're very nice. Quite a bit cheaper than the Mercury too. I think Joe might ship them to you for a test. Not sure.