AudioFu

Best Focusrite Preamps 2025

Premium Focusrite preamps - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $50 Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Microphone Recording For High-End Recording For Analog Warmth For Professional Studios
BRANDS: Warm Audio SPL Neve Heritage Audio TritonAudio Focusrite Cloud Microphones Avalon Golden Age Audio Behringer Universal Audio Rupert Neve Designs ART
Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic

by Focusrite
High-End Recording Analog Warmth Microphone Recording
Key Feature:
• Superior microphone preamplification
✓ PROS
  • • Essential for high-end recording
  • • Superior microphone preamplification
✗ CONS
  • • Additional complexity and connections
  • • Expensive professional models

Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic8-Channel Microphone PreampFrom the Scarlett seriesWith built-in AD / DA converter...

⭐ 4.9/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 405402
$725
Buy at Thomann View Details
Focusrite ISA One Analog - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Focusrite ISA One Analog

by Focusrite
High-End Recording Analog Warmth Microphone Recording
Key Feature:
• Essential for high-end recording
✓ PROS
  • • Essential for high-end recording
  • • Analog warmth and character
✗ CONS
  • • May be redundant with interface preamps
  • • Additional complexity and connections

Focusrite ISA One Analog Mic-PreampMic preamp1 ChannelMic / Line / Instrument inputInsertLine out / DI outSwitchable...

⭐ 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 212787
$593
Buy at Thomann View Details
Focusrite ISA 828 MKII - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Focusrite ISA 828 MKII

by Focusrite
High-End Recording Microphone Recording Analog Warmth
Key Feature:
• Professional recording quality
✓ PROS
  • • Analog warmth and character
  • • Essential for high-end recording
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive professional models
  • • Subjective sonic improvements

Focusrite ISA 828 MKII8-Channel Microphone PreamplifierLundahl LL1538 input transformer4 DI inputs on the...

⭐ 4.5/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 482498
$3,738
Buy at Thomann View Details
Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre

by Focusrite
High-End Recording Professional Studios Analog Warmth
Key Feature:
• Superior microphone preamplification
✓ PROS
  • • Professional recording quality
  • • Clean gain without noise
✗ CONS
  • • May be redundant with interface preamps
  • • Additional complexity and connections

Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre8- Channel Microphone PreamplifierFrom the Scarlett seriesWith built-in 24 bit A/D...

⭐ 4.9/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 405398
$488
Buy at Thomann View Details
Focusrite ISA 428 MKII - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Focusrite ISA 428 MKII

by Focusrite
Microphone Recording Professional Studios Analog Warmth
Key Feature:
• Clean gain without noise
✓ PROS
  • • Analog warmth and character
  • • Superior microphone preamplification
✗ CONS
  • • May be redundant with interface preamps
  • • Additional complexity and connections

Focusrite ISA 428 MKII4-Channel preamplifierFor microphone - instrument Hi-Z and line signals (transformer-based)4 Line...

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 252742
$2,375
Buy at Thomann View Details
Focusrite ISA Two - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Focusrite ISA Two

by Focusrite
Professional Studios High-End Recording Microphone Recording
Key Feature:
• Superior microphone preamplification
✓ PROS
  • • Professional recording quality
  • • Analog warmth and character
✗ CONS
  • • Additional complexity and connections
  • • Subjective sonic improvements

Focusrite ISA Two2-Channel mic preampLundahl LL1538 mic input transformerUp to 80 dB gainVariable input...

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 280702
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Focusrite Clarett+ OctoPre - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Focusrite Clarett+ OctoPre

by Focusrite
High-End Recording Professional Studios Analog Warmth
Key Feature:
• Essential for high-end recording
✓ PROS
  • • Clean gain without noise
  • • Professional recording quality
✗ CONS
  • • May be redundant with interface preamps
  • • Requires balanced connections

Focusrite Clarett+ OctoPre8-Channel microphone preamplifier / line AD/DA converterWith 2 JFET instrument inputs24-bit...

⭐ 4.8/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 542893
$636
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Preamps

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced preamps typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

Related Best Lists

RELATED

Best Active Nearfield Monitors

TOP

Best USB Audio Interfaces

TOP

Best Broadband Acoustic Absorbers

POPULAR

Best Digital Converters

POPULAR

Best Headphone Amps

TOP

Best Portable Recorders

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more