I'm looking for a new pre at the moment, and due to geographic location and finance, I'm looking at new gear as opposed to vintage - there's not much vintage gear floating around New Zealand.
I'm very curious to know if anybody on this forum has played with the Hamptone pre's, and what impressions they made on the ears. They strike me as a good price, assuming their sound justifies it. The HVTP2 appeals to me immensely, simply because I like the idea of having a pure tube pre. Which is a pretty flaky reason alone, to base the purchase of a pre on, so I would really value any feedback on how it performs - and any other worthy pre's as well - recommendations would be really appreciated. I'm open to solid state or tube, I have no fundamental preference.
I've also been looking at Buzz Audio's preamps, and in this respect I'm quite lucky because they're made about kilometer from my house, so I can poke and prod pretty much to my heart's content.
Just so you have an idea of context of use, I'm looking at using it specifically for drums and vocals, M-S 'ing a Royer R122 and M-Audio Solaris on a medium weight percussion setup, and for guitar cabinets.

We have one of Scott Hampton's original run of tube pres. For what they cost, they sound pretty darn good. I don't know that I'd record drums with it...something about using a tube pre on drum tracks kinda leaves me with a "meh" feeling. Maybe on OH, but not on a kick or snare, at least for the primary mic. The input transformers on ours are real hot, and it works especially well for our Coles' and Sony C38's, which have a lower output than some other mics. An input pad is helpful with this pre, and it can break up in a pleasing way once you learn how to use it. I'm liking the UA 2108 a bit more these days, but maybe that's 'cause I got to use one again this past weekend. Unfortunately, it left the studio with the guy who owns it (which is not me. Bogus...)

I have both, the FET and the tube pres. I think they are great. The FET pre actually breaks up a little sooner than the tube pre, and sounds great on snare. I actually prefer the tube pre for kick drum and bass amps, the low-end is astounding. Both pres sound wnderful, but if you are looking for "transparent" then you should look for something else.

mtar

Thanks MTAR - I figured they'd be pretty coloured, I'm fine with that. It is primarily the low-end response I'm curious about, getting a good detail level out of a kick drum is a fine science. Thanks for your feedback.
djimbe - what do you feel it does to drums that you don't like? I'd expect it to be great on cymbals, but perhaps a little mushy for snare + high toms - is this what you found (not to put words in your mouth or anything.....) ?

...something about using a tube pre on drum tracks kinda leaves me with a "meh" feeling.

Try it out, I think the snare sorta gets an old sorta compressed sound. The transients seem to be a bit more contained going to digital you may like it. I find I am not using as much compression after slamming the tubes. Try it...you might like it.

djimbe - what do you feel it does to drums that you don't like? I'd expect it to be great on cymbals, but perhaps a little mushy for snare + high toms

Yeah, the "mushiness" is pretty much what I'm on about here. For my music, I like me a dry and snappy snare sound. I often use a wood piccilo snare with an Evans vented head, and I prefer a TLM103 through something solid state with a fast response for that. For clients, I'll use a UA M610 sometimes since it's beefy and has that sorta compressed feel (like BrianBiv says), but not always. Kinda depends on the drum and the song. I do like the Hamptone for OH at times, especially with a Coles 4038, since that combo can reign in cymbal hash in a nice way. For stuff like vocals, piano, bass, or acoustic guitar I'm LOVING our Fearn VT-1 or the Hamptone. The UA's get a total workout as line amps for stuff like old spring reverbs or the tape delays, and again, the Hamptone works wonders on this duty.

Cheers for bringing the UA2108 to my attention Djimbe, it looks like exactly what I'm after. I hope it sounds like what I'm after too, heh heh.
I'm going to see how readily I can get my hands on one of these, and if I can't, the hamptones look like great alternatives.

Hi there, You should go for the Buzz amps. They really are astonishing in build and sound and operation. Tim has done a great job on them. I guess they're similar in sound to a GML or John Hardy without the price tag especially when you live just down the road.I'm going to get some if I go back soon. You could also track down Doug Jane who has built a run of Neve 1073 copies. I've used them and to be honest I thought they sounded alot better than the originals that I was using alongside them-less distorted over the full range, better pots, you know the deal.
Buy local if you can-especially if you're somewhere like NZ. Its alot easier for servicing and advice.

FWIW,

I own and use the Buzz MA 2.2 as well - damn fine pre, and sees a lot of tracking though it: not what you'd call a coloured sound, but big and bright, with great low-end, right through to clear defined highs...

Never heard the hamptone, so I can't comment...

Best of luck,

Oh to have just an extra G or two to throw around on this.....the MA2.2 sounds verrrrry nice.......