Preamp or Audio Interface for very quiet sounds

[twotoedsloth]

Hello,

I'm looking to purchase an audio interface or preamp for recording very quiet sounds (such as plucked cactus). I was considering the four preamps version of the Focusrite Clarett+ but it only has 57db of gain, I would like something in the neighbourhood of 70-80 db. I'll be pairing it with DPA 4006's.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks for taking the time to read and/or respond.

Peter

[Hugh Robjohns]

I suspect your best bet would be an external preamp. The AEA RPQ2 (£1400) offers 80dB gain, and its one of the quietest and cleanest preamps i know.

A cheaper alternative would be to use an inline booster that passes phantom power, such as the Triton Fethead Phantom which will add 18dB to the 60dB of a typical interface preamp, and still power your DPAs.

Or use a non-phantom-passing inline fain booster (some offer up to 30dB) with a separate phantom power unit.

[twotoedsloth]

Hello,

Thanks for your swift reply.

I recently purchased a Royer dBooster, but I don't think it will pass phantom power. Should I buy an outboard phantom power supply, or is that too convoluted of a signal path?

One more question, if I do purchase the AEA mic preamp, is there a huge difference between the RPQ2 and the TRP2? It looks like it's just the added EQ, which I do not need, and it's $500 USD cheaper.

Sorry to impose on you,

Peter

[Hugh Robjohns]

I recently purchased a Royer dBooster, but I don't think it will pass phantom power. Should I buy an outboard phantom power supply, or is that too convoluted of a signal path?

Excellent
No, it won't.
Yes, you should.
Not at all... as suggested in my last paragraph above. I use the same solution myself.

One more question, if I do purchase the AEA mic preamp, is there a huge difference between the RPQ2 and the TRP2? It looks like it's just the added EQ, which I do not need, and it's $500 USD cheaper.

The core circuitry is similar, but the TRP2 lacks the EQ facilities, insert point, and DI input of the RPQ2.

I've not seen or used the TRP2, but I have the original TRP (which doesn't have phantom power). It's an excellent preamp, and I presume the mark2 is just as good.