Dr.J Sparrow D53 alternative?

[Renardo0o]

Hello guys!

I was looking at preamp pedals and wanted a Sansamp, but it's too pricey for me... So I stumbled on the Dr.J Sparrow by Joyo and I really like the sound of it!
But I saw that it was out of stock on their website, and it's really overpriced from second hand (+ crazy shipping costs to my country, I almost end up with the price of a second hand Sansamp)
I wanted it because it's cheap and seem to be really good.
Is it discontinued?
I'm so disappointed... but that's life

I saw a VT second hand at ~100$ on a French site. It seem worth it, but when I listen to the demos it seems over-overdriven. I like the sound but it seem too much for casual use.

I need a cheap preamp (it will be my first one so I rather not spend too much, I'm no pro, but I still need a good quality/presence in a mix) with a Sansamp/Darkglass kinda sound. Not synthy like most do...

Behringer seem interesting too, but not that good (to my tastes, in the demo it sounds too absent in the mix) and not durable.

Any opinions?

Thanks in advance

 

[SunnBass]

All I'll say is this: selling my VT Bass was the best thing I ever did for my tone.

 

[Renardo0o]

All I'll say is this: selling my VT Bass was the best thing I ever did for my tone.

Wow!
What problems did you have with it?