• Account
  • View Shopping Cart

Menu Search View Shopping Cart Call Us
desktop

Phoenix Audio DRS-1R 500-Series Preamp - B Stock  From Phoenix

The venerable DRS-1 mic pre condensed into a compact 500 series unit. A modern twist on the classic Neve sound! This is B Stock from the manufacturer.

Phoenix Audio

$689.00

No Sales Tax in OH!
No Sales Tax in 45 States. Learn More.

"Experience the Difference"

Try Before You Buy

Close
Try Before You Buy
Call us now to set up a free trial in your home or studio: 888-528-9703. Our specialists will help you select the best fit for your needs and hook up your free trial for the ultimate peace of mind. Experience the Sound Pure difference!
View all eligible products »

Lifetime Support

Close
Free Lifetime Technical Support!
Our small team of dedicated experts is here to help the original purchaser for the lifetime of the product. Why? Because we care about building real relationships with our customers for life and stand behind every product we sell.

No Sales Tax collected in OH.

Close
Sales Tax
Sales tax is only collected in the following states: FL, GA, IL, NC and VA. If your state is not listed, sales tax will not be collected on your order.
In Stock!
Ships immediately after order processed!
Payments as low as $60/mo.

Want a lower price?
Get Discount

Check your email inbox now!
If you don't see it, Check Promotional or Spam

Close

Our best price is too low to print,
but we'll email it to you immediately!

learn more »

How to get a lower price, instantly!

Why do we do this?

Some manufacturers have a "minimum advertised price", which restricts how low of a price we can display. By requesting an e-mail quote from us, you give us the ability to offer you a lower price than anywhere else on the web. A quote on the product will be sent instantly to the e-mail address you enter, and you can add the product to your cart at the lower price displayed in the e-mail.

What We Think

The DRS-1R has become one of our best selling 500 Series Preamp Modules due to it's excellent plethora of available tones and ability to sound great on just about any instrument. Grab 4 modules for punchy kick, snare, and tom recordings, or a pair for recording "in your face" rock electric guitars with a 57 and a ribbon, or just a single for a rich and exciting sounding vocal. The recording possibilities are endless with this preamp, and with it being as affordable as it is we'd go as far to say any 500 Series rack is not complete without at least one DRS-1R. 
 
About the Phoenix Audio Preamp:
 
I feel like there are so many pieces of gear out there described as a “desert island _____”, which is why I tried to stray far away from the phrase when coming up with an accurate description for the Phoenix Audio preamp. That said, there’s really no better phrase to describe it - so what the hell - IT’S THE DESERT ISLAND PREAMP!
 
The Phoenix Audio preamp shares some lineage with the vintage Neve 1073, but it’s far from just another clone - think of it as being more of a modern twist on that classic design. While featuring a transformerless input, the source of the Phoenix’s tone comes from its transformer balanced output stage which adds color, roundness, and additional depth when driven. After using the Phoenix on just about every studio application we could think of, there wasn’t a single case where it’s color didn’t enhance the source material in a positive way. For examples be sure to check out the 50+ videos we’ve shot using the Phoenix to get outstanding results on everything from jazzy female vocals to drums and a Rhodes keyboard to acoustic and electric guitars to country male vocals. 
 
Additionally because of it’s dual gain control of both the input and output stage, if your recording application doesn’t require additional coloration there’s plenty of clean gain on the input to allow your output stage (color control) to be set very low, resulting in a cleaner and more pristine image of the instrument. Of course there’s a tremendous middle-ground on it’s color spectrum, which is why it’s so flexible. One final tonal option is to drive the transformerless input to the point of distortion, producing a more heavy-handed crunchy distortion that can be perfect for an effect heavy section or instrument. Again, the tonal possibilities with this preamp are gigantic.
 
Phoenix has gone to great lengths to ensure that all of their preamp models provide an identical sound to one another, so regardless of if you go with the 8 Channel DRS-8, the DRS-Q4M (pre with EQ) or DRS-1 (single channel pre), 2 Channel DRS-Q4 (stereo pre with EQ), or even the 500 Series DRS-1R you’ll be getting 100% of Phoenix’s unique and exciting tone. Every model comes standard with a practical feature set all great preamps should have, including a hi-pass filter and phase reverse - the DRS-8 and DRS-1R also include "Mute" buttons. It can also accept line level signals for warming up previously recorded instrument tracks or even running a stereo bus through for added analog punch and coloration.
 
As mentioned, the Phoenix preamp shares lineage with the venerable Neve 1073 however it’s not a clone, so if you’re specifically after that tone we would recommend the Vintech X73i or 573. If you’re looking for an incredibly flexible solid state preamp with a rich and inspiring tone at an excellent price, look no further than the Phoenix Audio preamp line.

Manufacturer's Description from Phoenix

A Versatile, Modern Class-A Mic Preamp/DI

Available in mono (1/2RU or 500-series), stereo (1RU) or in 8-channels (2RU), the Phoenix DRS Mic Preamp/DIs take a modern approach to Class-A circuit design that delivers a wide range of tones without sacrificing the beloved vibe of true Class-A design. The unique DRS circuit can go from ultra-clean sounds suitable for audiophile recordings all the way to the warm, saturated tones reminiscent of the UK's most heralded vintage designs. Versatility and superior sound have made the DRS Preamp/DI a top-tier choice for engineers around the world and a modern day classic.

Hi-Fi Transformerless Mic Input Stage

Our exclusive electronically-balanced, transformerless mic input circuit delivers fast transients and the full frequency spectrum (from sub-bass to the highest air band), while still delivering the full, warm and smooth characteristics that make engineers love Class-A mic preamps. Boldly outperforming transformer-based designs in both the frequency response and slew rate, the DRS delivers articulate, punchy and full-bodied input signals, allowing you to drive the output stage for a vast range of pure Class-A tones—from bold clarity to vintage warmth, and everything in-between. With a very high mic impedance of 10K, it is the perfect companion for ribbon mics and dynamics mic that often need specialist mic pre amps, the Shure SM7B particularly shines.

Legendary Transformer-Balanced Output Stage

Our custom-wound  DB694 output transformer is coupled to Phoenix's proprietary, fully discrete DSOP-2 output amplifier. The DSOP-2 is a direct descendent of the venerable TF1 amp which Phoenix's head-designer, David Rees, developed as an upgrade for vintage Neve modules. Going beyond the TF1, the DSOP2 is the pinnacle of Class-A output circuit design, offering up a smooth transition from ultra-clean to beautifully saturated tones. 

Ultra-High Impedance DI Circuit

The DRS-1, DRS-2, DRS-8 and DRS1R-500 include very high input impedance DI circuits (10Mohm)—remarkably featuring no FETs—on every channel. This design means that guitar and bass pickups are not loaded, allowing the natural sound of both modern and vintage instruments to shine and actually enhancing the sound, sparkle and growl as if they were plugged into your favorite amp. Synths, drum machines, and even laptops can likewise be sweetened by the DRS's DI.

Easy and Intuitive In The Studio

Because you're working with a clean, robust, electronically-balanced input signal, the DRS Mic Preamp/DI makes dialing in your exact sound easy, intuitive and quick. By working the familiar stepped input gain control (up to 70db alone) and the -30dB pad against the variable output fader (which provides an additional 10dB of gain), you can dial in your preferred tones without having to consider an overly complex gain architecture. It's all about driving the versatile DSOP-2 output stage to your exacting tastes, whatever they may be in any given moment. Like so many other engineers, you'll find yourself reaching for the DRS Mic Preamp/DI over and over again to reliably deliver a vast array of outstanding sounds for any instrument or voice you're recording.

Features of DRS Mic Preamp/DI

  • Phoenix Audio's unique Class A, transformerless, true-balanced mic input stage
  • Phoenix Audio's transformer-balanced DSOP-2 Class-A discrete output stage with custom wound DB694 output transformer
  • Wired with PTFE silver plated military grade cable
  • -30dB input pad 
  • High Pass Filter: -6dB per octave @ 120Hz
  • LED Gain Metering
  • Push buttons: Hi-Pass, 48v, Phase Reverse, Switchable 48V phantom power on push-button switch
  • High Pass Filter on Push-button Switch (Roll-off -6dB per octave @ 120Hz)
  • Phase Reverse on Push-Button Switch
  • Mic Pre Gain Range: -30 to -70 in 5dB steps With 10dB more available on the ouput fader.
  • Output = +26dBu @ 1kHz, Noise = -90dB @ 20Hz to 20kHz.
  • Frequency Response Mic Input Stage: -0.4dB @ 40Hz, -0.3dB @ 25kHz
  • Frequency response Class A (DSOP-2) output stage: 20Hz to 20kHz +- 0.5dB, Maximum
  • 24v built PSU so you can feel the sound of the 'true' unit and not be limited by the limitions of running at 16v which is the standard Lunchbox voltage.
Phoenix Audio

About Manufacturer

Phoenix Audio was founded in 1996 by Shaun Leveque to provide a British service for owners of pre-1980 Neve recording consoles. Their technicians, metal-workers, and design engineers are original ex-Neve workers, so they have the inside scoop, and they operate from a fully-equipped, modern, independent workshop. They design and build products, wired in-house by professional wiremen and engineers with many years experience that take great pride in the quality of their craftsmanship. Phoenix Audio products are unique and original and carefully designed to combine the advantages of years of audio experience with current manufacturing technology and components. Sound Pure has been very impressed by all of the new products and technologies they continue to release.

Specifications

Specifications

  • Class A (DSOP2) Output specs. Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz +- 0.5dB, Maximum Output = +26dBu @ 1kHz, Noise = -90dB @ 20Hz to 20kHz.
  • Output connections: XLR’s on rear panel of API rack
  • Phoenix Audio’s unique Class A, transformerless, True balanced Mic input stage.
  • 10K mic impedance for high quality performance with all mic particualry ribbons mics & dynamic mics
  • Custom wound Phoenix output transformer.
  • Microphone input: XLR’s  Rear Panels of API rack
  • Gain Range (Mic input): -30 to -70 in 5dB steps With 10dB more available on the output fader.
  • Gain reduction: -30dB push-button Mic/Line switch (Mic input)
  • High Input Impedance DI: Mono 1/4″ Jack on front panel
  • Gain Meter: LED Metering. (Green = -2dbu, +4dbu & 0dBu, Yellow = +13dbu Red= +16dBu)
  • Phantom Power: Switchable phantom on Push-button Switch
  • High Pass Filter: on Push-button Switch, 120hz 6db per octave
  • Phase Reverse: on Push-button Switch
  • Mute : on Push-button Switch
  • Frequency Response Mic Input Stage: -0.4dB @ 40Hz, -0.3dB @ 25kHz
  • Frequency Response: DI Input Stage: -0.3dB @ 40Hz, – 0.5dB @ 25kHz
  • Typical Headroom: +26dB on Mic-Pre stage
  • DI Stage gain: Maximum of 30dB
  • 24v built PSU 

Recommended Accessories