hello. recently, i've been reading about real tube preamps vs
inexpensive tube simulators (like the art stuff). i know that the
peavey vmp-2 is considered a "real" tube preamp, and it's
affordable...but i can't find one. i'd really like to get that "real"
class-a tube preamp sound...but the stuff by avalon and manley is out
of my price range.

now i have a few questions that i'm hoping some experienced members
might be able to help me out with: is the peavey tmp-1 considered a
"real" tube preamp like the vmp-2? should i bail on the "real" tube
thing and get a presonus mp20 (with saturation simulation)? how is the
presonus mp20 when it comes to getting that "real" tube sound, despite
the lack of tubes? how about the bellari rp220...is that a "real" tube
preamp? ahhhh!