Help me choose mics and preamp.

This is right on US$800 ..... but its a beauty

As for mics, I just stumbled about this new page in another forum. Haven't check out myself yet though.

For monitors you might want to check out Dynaudio is a respected name and their tweeters are about the best you can buy at that price. Anyone would be proud of them...

I would also look at the Okatave Mic Mod site for mic options. I hear good things about the guy. There are a few things there in your budget. You could turn some MXL or Rode mic into something nicer than you could probably buy for the same cash outlay.

Depending on the flavour of preamp you want, one to check out might be the DAV BG1. I have one and like it a lot.

if you can in anyway beg borrow and steal... this is killer: 4 twinfinity preamps 4 1176-style compression on each channel 8 channels of a/d conversion 1,700 bucks is a lot of dough, but it's also a LOT of bang for your buck.

within your budget I recommend this: Black Lion Audio Auteur: and here's another: $765 for an nice 8Ch preamp.

I'm a big fan of the Mojave Audio MA-201, which might fit into your budget if you find one used. Avenson STO-2's are the only small diaphragms I can recommend in that price range, but they aren't really what I'd get if I could only have one pair of small diaphragms. As for preamps, I've tried quite a few in that price range and FWIW the ones that stuck around were the Sytek MPX4Aii and two Golden Age Pre-73's. And for monitors, I'm very happy with my ADAM A7's, but dynaudios and focals are great choices as well.

I have an ART Digital MPA II that I put vintage Telefunken tubes in and it sounds great. I would look into that option.

AKG C451e's are my favourite SDC's. You might be able to grab a pair on E Bay or the like within your budget. They are great on acoustic guitars and make decent overheads.