From Fredenstein Professional Audio

The HD REFERENCE Microphone Preamplifier can be described as unique, revolutionary, and among the best-performing mic pre's of all time.
Well almost unique. The internal topology was first introduced in the 500 Series Fredenstein HD PRE which features the new current mode, true class A, zero negative feedback, 100% balanced circuit that uses 54 discrete premium transistors for gain. The HD REFERENCE goes a step further with 72 transistors and a +/-24 volt power supply. The HD REFERENCE is also designed to be remote controlled (or not) and offers 1 dB gain steps shown clearly on the front panel.

Technical performance can only be described as extreme or exceptional. Extreme low noise (EIN - XX dB), exceptional low distortion (.XX% at 60 dB of gain), extreme bandwidth (-3dB down at 900kHz) and is can deliver +30dbuat the outputs. And while it sports the holy grail, grand combination of high-end specifications, The HD REFERENCE also out-performs typical tube pre-amplifiers in the area of smooth transition into saturation, due to the absence of negative feedback and the fast recovery inherent in the topology. In other words, it goes from Rist Neto 3 dimensional through rich and then powerhouse depending on how hard one drives it.

Features include 1 dB stepped gain from 0 dB to +64 dB (using high reliability relay) indicated with a large 7 segment LED display. 3 high pass filter frequencies, 3 impedance settings, phantom power and polarity switching. Details like, automatic muting while phantom power is changing, to prevent thumps and damage to monitors built in. There is also a pair of Direct Inputs for instruments with low noise discrete JFET inputs (2 meg-ohm) and 0 to 40 dB of gain.

And then by adding the COMMANDER remote control we can reap the benefit of keeping the mic pre-close to the mic, while still keeping control of all the features the HD REFERENCE provides. By keeping the cable between the mic and the REFERENCE HD short, we can preserve the fragile mic level signals and send a robust line level signal any reasonable distance to the converter, console or compressor. The Commander and REFERENCE HD connect with a standard mic cable. The COMMANDER additionally has a LOCK button that can prevent tampering at the remote preamp.

  • Frequency Response : 2 Hz – 700,000 Hz, - 1 dB
  • 1 Hz – 920,000 Hz, - 3 dB
  • Distortion : < 0.0082 at +4 dBu Output Level (31 dB Gain)
  • Input Noise (EIN) : < -128.5 dB (150 Ohms Source Impedance 64db Gain)
  • <-130 dB A Weighted
  • Input Impedance : > 200 kOhms or 1000 or 300 Ohms selectable
  • CMRR : > 60 dB at 54 dB gain
  • DI Impedance : > 2 MOhms
  • Max. Input Level : + 20 dBu,
  • Output Impedance : 600 Ohms
  • Max. Output Level : + 30dBu
  • Max Input Signal : +20 dBu
  • (DI or Microphone Input) + 0dBu

Free 3-Year Warranty

Sound Pure stands behind our products. Free three-year warranty on this item. Coverage exclusions live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Level of support and expertise that simply isn't available at big-box megastores. Read the warranty →

Returns

This item is not eligible for the Try-Before-You-Buy 48-hour audition. Standard return policy applies — see Terms & Conditions, Section 18 for details.

Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

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