In-line preamps from Tierra
A decade or so ago,
Cloud Microphones identified the market for a gizmo that would allow you to get a healthy level out of your vintage ribbon and moving-coil microphones. Essentially, they took the active stage from their own ribbon mics and packaged it up into a stand-alone boosting device, in the process inventing what we think must have been the first phantom-powered in-line preamp.
The
Cloudlifter remains an excellent device (and is now available in a range of different versions), but as tends to be the way with good ideas, other companies have come up with their own take on the idea, and you can now get excellent quality in-line preamps from companies like