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Earthworks 521 ZDT 500-Series Preamp  From Earthworks

The 521 brings the exacting standards of the Earthworks Zero Distortion Technology preamplifiers to the 500 series format.

Earthworks

Earthworks 1021 1022 1024 Mic Preamp Video Demo

The Earthworks 1021, 1022, and 1024 Zero Distortion Preamps are completely free of noise and distortion, and are really a lot like "wire and gain." Such transparency, accuracy and detail in a mic preamp are extremely useful when the sound of the instrument coupled with an amazing microphone should not be compromised. The Earthworks preamp will not add its own coloration and artifacts like just about every other preamp on the market. It is designed to delver the sound coming out of the microphone exactly that way, as if there is no preamp in the signal path whatsoever. In this video we demonstrate this performance through a variety of microphones and sources including recording acoustic guitar, piano, jazz archtop guitar, and electric guitars. Give us a call to discuss this amazing distortion-free preamp, toll free 888.528.9703.

Manufacturer's Description from Earthworks

The solid state 521 features switchable phantom power, polarity invert, and peak amplitude clip detection, just as in the original 1021 single channel ZDT Preamp. The transformerless output stage of 521 ZDT easily drive long cable runs without loss of quality, making it ideal for long cable runs. Transparent gain is switchable from 5dB to 60dB in 5dB steps.

The Earthworks microphone preamplifier topology provides outstanding common mode rejection, excellent overload margin and an incredibly low noise floor, combined with the ultra wide bandwidth of the ZDT Preamps and distortion of less than 1 part per million. This exceptional level of performance is maintained over an extensive range of impedances applied to the input making the 521 suitable for practically any microphone – ribbon, dynamic or condenser.

Features:

  • Clean, uncolored 500 series preamp
  • Solid-state, transformerless
  • Switchable 48V phantom power
  • Polarity invert switch
  • Peak amplitude clip detection
  • Transparent gain switchable from 5dB to 60dB in 5dB steps
  • Ultra-low noise floor
  • Ultra-wide bandwidth
  • Suitable for most ribbon, dynamic or condenser microphones
  • Requires a 500 series rack
Earthworks

About Manufacturer

Earthworks was formed by David Blackmer, the inventor of dbx, to realize his vision of upgrading the entire audio chain to a new standard of sonic realism. David's goal of creating high definition tools with which to capture the sound and experience of "being there" is based upon a strong evidence that there is more to human hearing than the range of frequencies which can be heard as tones. We are convinced that audio equipment with extended frequency response and faster, cleaner time domain performance will yield more life-like results. Traditional audio methadology appears to be based on working around the limitations, imperfections, and personality quirks of the equipment, and calling the ones you like "assets". WE believe that any part of the audio chain can be improved to the point where the standard is so high that any product meeting it will be indistinguishable from any other product meeting the same standard, and that an audio system built to such standard can achieve sonic reality. This standard, for electronic equipment, is met by our Zero Distortion Technology. We support the concept of recording acoustic events accurately enough to capture the sound as it happened in the room. This approah allows you to make sonic coloration and texture choices later, when you can consider them carefully and still have recourse. Life-like accuracy is the best starting point for whatever unique coloration you may wish to add.

Specifications

Preamp Type: Solid State

Number of Channels: 1

Frequency Response: 2Hz to 100kHz ±0.1dB, 1Hz to 200kHz ±0.5dB

Impulse Response: 1.4µs

Distortion: XLR out: less than 1ppm (0.0001%); 1/4” out: 0.001%
Input Noise: 1.6nVHz½ at 20dB gain; 0.6nV/Hz½ at 60dB gain

EIN: -132dBV at 20dB gain; -143dBV at 60dB gain

Slew Rate: 22V/µs

Output DC Offset: ±1 mV typical, servo balanced

Input / Output Connector: 500 Series EDAC Edge connector

XLR Input Impedance: 10KΩ phantom on, 100KΩ phantom off

Front Panel Balanced Out: ¼” TRS XLR Fem. balanced transformerless (variable)

Dimensions: 1 500 series rack space 1.5” x 5.25” x 6”

Weight: 0.8 lb. (0.36kg)

Sound Clips