The ISA-One (along with its multi-channel brethren) is a solid-state preamp (based on Rupert Neve’s original ISA-110 module) with a clear, warm sound, thanks to its Lundahl (LL1538) input Transformer, a classic circuit that’s lent its analog warmth to many of Focusrite’s designs (ISA-110, Focusrite Red series). Nobody would associate the name Focusrite with “budget” gear-the company (originally founded by none other than Rupert Neve) has provided a number of modern classics, like the Red series processors. A perfect example of this is the Focusrite ISA-One, a single-channel preamp which you can find for around $450 (street). First off, most of them aren’t that cheap, and second, the best of them are truly excellent preamps that just happen to have been designed to come in at a slightly more accessible price that most of the others I’ve mentioned. I decided against titling this entry “budget preamps”, because some of the models I’m going to mention really don’t deserve that sometimes pejorative title.
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