Any Rode NT1a users here? esp. for acoustic guitar/vocal use, plus some leccy guitar

[octatonic]

I also disagree that the preamp has much difference

Aled

Try comparing an API 512c to a Groove Tubes ViPre to a Grace M101.
The differences are quite marked.

[Ramirez]

Try comparing an API 512c to a Groove Tubes ViPre to a Grace M101.
The differences are quite marked.

Just the preamp circuitry alone, not being driven hard to induce intentional distortion and not using any additional processing?

There was a very interesting in Sound On Sound a couple of months ago comparing preamps from the ones on a cheap Mackie mixer up to very expensive stand alone units, recording the same source and using a variety of different mics.

After careful level matching of the sound files, none of the panel could tell much, if any, difference, and the same was to be found with the forum members.