Fredenstein V.A.S. MicPre

We bought it to use it as a preamp for RME interface. as a good quality Di and mic pre.
With good reviews, it seemed like a good idea. However, it seems that corners were cut to reach such a low price.
It sounds really good, incredible for its price, it gets 4 stars, as there are of course better-sounding preamps, but those come at un-proportionately higher price.
On our unit, Gain know is flimsy, feels wiggly and unprecise, also it is not linear at all, it has a tiny area somewhere around 1/3 where you get almost two times gain at a slight touch of the knob, not good.
What is worse, when TURNED OFF there is audible clicking from inside of the box. It is going back to Thomann and I doubt we will try another unit, as these are signs of poor components being used, so future use seems risky even with a unit that works as intended.
If you want good sound and want to risk, get it. I would gladly take less characterful preamp that is built to last.

Like some others have mentioned, from new, the headphone pot makes a scratching noise. Other than that it's really good.
I find the tone nice and round, it really shines a a bass DI.
It has lot of useful features that come in handy.
I also use as a guitar DI.

Update September 2021 - the unit has started acting erratically and became unusable after 6 years of extremely light use. A front power switch might have reduced the on time as it was nearly always turned on in the rack because of the power switch location, even when not in use.

A bulging capacitor near the opamp got replaced only to bulge again instantly.
Here's a picture.
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