Sound Pure's Take

When we first decided to be a dealer for Maag, I was particularly interested in their preamp. They’re most well known for their EQ’s (the EQ2 and EQ4), which are both fantastic so I assumed this level of quality would be found in the preamp as well. We brought in a pair of the PreQ4’s to live in our studio, but before hearing them for myself, I had no clue what to expect. I’d read that it’s a very clean preamp, and it has a high frequency shelving EQ that can lift the top in nice ways, but sometimes “clean” can have just as many different definitions as “colored” does. 

Now that I’ve used these preamps in a variety of different settings, I’ve really grown fond of them. It’s a clean preamp, but with just a tiny bit more weight and excitement to it than a fully transformerless design like the Grace or Millennia. You still maintain a huge wealth of harmonic detail, but without losing the musicality of the instrument or voice. The High-frequency shelf (aka Air Band) is quite handy and can be beautifully subtle, but the real take home here is the sound of the preamp itself. Check out our videos about the preq4 to hear for yourself.

 

If you want a clean preamp, but fear the sterility that may come with absolute transparency, get a PreQ4 and don’t look back.

From Maag Audio

Following its PreQ3 predecessor, the PREQ4 provides unparalleled transparency and top end presence while maintaining the true natural sound behind the microphone.

Presented in the flagship lunchbox® portable format, the PREQ4® offers the legendary AIR BAND®, 65dB adjustable gain, phase reverse capability, 70Hz high pass filter, +48V phantom power, and -20dB PAD. The Maag Audio PREQ4® is an official member of the VPR Alliance.


Max Gain


65 dB

Frequency Response -3 dB points, 10Hz & 75kHz
Nominal Input Impedance XLR) Mic, 150 Ohms, balanced
Nominal Output Impedance (XLR) 50 Ohms, actively balanced
Equivalent Input Noise -128 dBu (-96 dBu Actual Metered Noise)
Headroom +27 dBu
Maximum Phase Shift 25°
THD + Noise < 0.007%
*Specifications subject to change without notice. **Recommend turning the GAIN fully counter-clockwise before engaging.

Warranty

This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Returns

Try Before You Buy: 48-hour audition. Program details →

Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

Come hear it in our control rooms.

Sound Pure is a working studio in Durham, NC — a 1,000 sq ft live room and two pro control rooms. Book a session to audition gear in a world-class acoustic space before you buy.