500.00 Limit & No Clue, mic preamp Options

[charliemak]

hey y'all
i need a mic preamp. my freind says that it's a black hole and i there is no limit to how much i could spend, but he's wrong. thethat limit is 500.00! if i could get a decent one cheaper then i would have cash for some stuff. i have a small home studio but don't have a clue when it comes to using a preamp so if there is a web site or book where i could pickup the basics that would be very helpful also. i currently use a audio technica 4040 mic plugged into my m box. i don't ever see the need for more than two inputs, so what should i buy?

[rickenbacker]

I hear nothing but good things about the Grace 101. Only single channel, but terrific sound, apparently. There is also a two-channel version, but that's probably beyond your price ceiling.