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LaChapell Audio 983s MKII 2-Channel Tube Preamp - Used From LaChapell

Two channels of LaChapell's renowned 583 preamp ciruitry in a 1U rack unit with TRUE48 Phantom Power. In Used, Excellent condition

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What We Think

The LaChapell Audio 983S MkII is one of those preamps that reminds you why tube gear still has such a devoted following.

At first listen, it has all the qualities you'd hope for from a high-end tube design—depth, warmth, and a three-dimensional quality that makes sources feel more alive. But what really separates the 983S MkII from a lot of tube preamps is how much control you have over its character. It can be remarkably clean and open, or you can lean into the gain structure and coax out rich harmonic saturation that adds weight and personality without overwhelming the source.

One of our favorite features is the independent Tube Drive and Output Level controls. Instead of being locked into a single sound, you can decide exactly how hard you want to drive the tube stage. Keep it conservative and you'll get a pristine, high-headroom preamp that's incredibly detailed. Push it harder, and the harmonics start to bloom in a way that feels smooth, musical, and unmistakably analog.

The Jensen input transformer and tube front end give the 983S MkII a wonderfully solid foundation. Vocals gain a sense of size and intimacy, acoustic instruments feel more dimensional, and bass and electric guitar DI tracks have a richness that often requires very little additional processing. It's the kind of preamp that helps sources sound "finished" before they ever reach your DAW.

We also appreciate the practical design. High- and low-pass filters, a front-panel Hi-Z input, pad, polarity reverse, mute, and LaChapell's innovative True48™ phantom power system make it just as functional as it is musical. The True48 circuitry is particularly clever, delivering a more consistent phantom voltage under varying loads to help condenser microphones perform at their best.

What we love most about the 983S MkII is that it never feels like it's trying too hard. It has all the warmth and character people associate with tube preamps, but it retains excellent clarity and definition. That balance makes it equally at home on delicate acoustic recordings, aggressive rock vocals, or full-band tracking sessions.

For engineers looking for a dual-channel tube preamp that combines boutique craftsmanship, exceptional flexibility, and genuinely musical analog character, the LaChapell Audio 983S MkII is the kind of front end you'll find yourself reaching for session after session.

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Manufacturer's Description from LaChapell

The LaChapell 983S MK2 is a two channel tube mic pre featuring the innovative True48™ dynamic phantom power supply. True48 improves the performance of your condenser mics. Current 48V supplies dip in voltage as the source load changes (such as periods of high transients on many mics). True48 evens out the voltage supply, giving mics greater headroom, quicker transient recovery and a smoother less distorted response.

Each channel on the LaChapell 983S MK2 features a Cinemag input transformer, an ECC83/12AX7 vacuum tube, Jensen output transformer and Burr Brown & THAT Corporation line drivers. Each component in signal path is of the highest quality, carefully selected to sound beautiful and last long.

This mic pre is capable of stunning clean tones and harmonically rich driven tones. Exceptional on nearly any source, the 983S MK2 features high and low pass filters with selectable roll-off frequencies, channel mute, front panel Hi-Z input, pad and polarity switches.

983S MK2 PRODUCT FEATURES

♦ DUAL DRIVE KNOBS

The Dual Drive knobs on the 983S mic pre provide an incredible array of tonal options. The input knob drives the input to the first vacuum tube and the second knob drives the input to the output tube. Together, you can dial in sounds from pristine to warm and harmonically rich.

♦ TRUE48 Dynamic Phantom Power

True48 is a dynamic phantom power supply that provides a steady power supply for your condenser and active microphones. Standard phantom power supplies often do not deliver enough power for today’s microphones. True48 ensures your mics get the power they need which results in higher headroom, quicker transient recovery, and smoother response.

♦ PAD SWITCH FOR MORE TONAL OPTIONS

The pad switch not only provides a -20dB gain reduction for high input sources, it also works with the Dual Drive knobs to create color and headroom options. Engage the pad and dial in warm tones with lots of headroom.

♦ BEST IN CLASS PERFORMANCE

Everything in the 983S mic pre is designed to be best in class. Every component, transformer, wire and tube has been meticulously selected for performance and longevity.

♦ LOW NOISE AND OUTPUT IMEDANCE

The ultra low output impedance of the 982S mic pre means you can run long cables from the stage to front of house or from studio room to studio room. The ultra low noise means you can record any source with confidence that you are only recording what you WANT to record.

♦ HIGH AND LOW PASS FILTERS

Independent High and Low Pass Filters maximize control over your recorded or live signal.

♦ FRONT PANEL HI-Z INPUT

The front panel Hi-Z input allows you to plug a bass or other instrument directly into the 983S. As an instrument front end, the 983S allows for natural tube compression and harmonics to any input source.

About Manufacturer

With the 992 you have the option of choosing between two unique input topology configurations. Standard 992: Featuring a transformer-less balanced differential input utilizing two USA made 6072A's per channel along with twin matched 400v caps. This configuration provides >50dB of gain (usually about 52db) with a typical non-weighted EIN of -114 to -116dB. Extended Gain 992: By replacing the input caps with the Jensen JT-115k transformer and exchanging the 6072's for the timeless 12AX7/ECC83 this variant is able to provide a generous >74dB of raw internal gain with a typical EIN of -124 to -126dB referencing 150ohm. The direct instrument input (Hi-Z) on both variants utilizes a high performance Jensen direct transformer which feeds the balanced differential amplifier input. In operation, the user has individual control over the input and output gain stages of each channel. This provides uncommon flexibility to delve into the 992?fs broad sonic pallet making it one of the most versatile preamplifiers in any environment. Push the inputs hard and capture that elusive air that can only come from fully balanced tube gain. Or, pull the inputs back and favor the output stage for a cleaner, more linear signal - the choice is yours. Output signal strength is easily monitored through an isolated Sifam back-lit VU meter. There are also five illuminated toggle switches per channel for Meter On/Off, 48v (Phantom), -20db input pad, phase reverse and Mute.