Mixer or just a phantom power unit?

[thomastech]

So the title kind says it all. I'm trying to get something better to record acapella tracks. <plug>"thomaslindseymusic on youtube"</plug> other than my built in iMac mic. I have the mic I want picked out the MXL3000. It seems to be a good quality mic from the reviews for home recording.

Now the fun part:
I'm a bit leery of whether I should get a cheap Behringer Xenyx 802 mixer and the Behringer FCA202 firewire interface or just a Nady SMPS-1X phantom power unit and the firewire interface.

I don't want unnecessary problems such as distortion from the mixer if I can avoid it. Will the phantom power unit be cleaner than the mixer?

All help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Thomas

 

[Macman45]

I Use

A couple of Rode pro's with phantom power units. I know they cost more, but the results are excellent. Any decent studio mic will work with the phantom power units, if you are singing acaplea, you really do need something decent.

 

[Jmouse]

Mixer helps.
You want to use a sound card as well.