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Phoenix Audio DRS-1R 500-Series Preamp - Used  From Phoenix

The venerable DRS-1 mic pre condensed into a compact 500 series unit. A modern twist on the classic Neve sound! In Used, Excellent to Mint Condition

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Phoenix Audio

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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

The Phoenix Audio DRS1R/500 is a mono pre amp and DI for the API 500 series, it was designed to be identical in terms of features and sonics as the ever popular DRS1 but in a new format. The unit runs at 24v thanks due to the special power supply built into the unit so it offers no sonic sacrifices whilst still maintaining a very low current use needed for the API format and is well within its API VPR limits.

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.
  • 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: +24dB on Mic-Pre stage
  • DI Stage gain: Maximum of 20dB