Is anybody else using the Vacuvox V41 preamp? I received mine a few months ago, with steel tubes, and it is the best-sounding preamp I've ever heard. I love my vintage 1073 for vocals, as well, but the Vacuvox V41 beats it in terms of capturing detail.

I record synthpop to analog tape and everything runs through my Vacuvox V41 now. The detail, going onto my Studer A800 or Otari MTR-90 16-track, is stunning. My signal path is:

Instrument >> Mogami 2549 cable (TRS) >> DW Fearn PDB >> V41 >> EQ-2NV >> compressor >> Manultec Orca Bay (for a high shelf boost) >> tape machine

My only gripe is I wish the HPF on the V41 were at 80 Hz instead of 60 Hz, but it's a relatively minor issue.