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Phoenix Audio DRS8 mk2 Microphone Preamp - Demo/Open Box From Phoenix
8 channel Class A solid state preamp ranging from pristine and clear to saturated and punchy. This is THE preamp for drum recordings! This is a demo unit from our studio.
$3,300.00
No Sales Tax in 45 States.
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Retail: $4,395.00
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Demo units have been demoed at Sound Pure, tested, or, in some cases, returned by a customer. They are guaranteed in perfect working order with full manufacturer warranty! Want us to confirm condition? Just give us a call.
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Sales tax is only collected in the following states: CA, FL, NC, SC, TN and VA. If your state is not listed, sales tax will not be collected on your order.
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Rating: 4.8
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What We Think
The DRS-8 is one of the absolute best values as far as high-quality solid state multi-channel preamps go. Perfect for recording full bands, drum sets, and live multi-channel use, the Phoenix DRS-8 fits 8 incredible mic preamps into a single 2U chassis and gives you access to tones ranging from rich and saturated to clean and clear depending on how you utilize its cleaner input gain and more colored output stage.
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
Phoenix Audio is dedicated to the development of Class A discrete technology used within high build-quality equipment designed for both the professional and the home studio environment.The DRS-8 Mic-Pre uses our well proven and loved Class A output stage (DSOP-2) coupled with our custom wound transformer, but also has our latest breakthrough in transformerless Class A, Discrete Mic Input Technology which gives a “valve-like” sound.The DRS-8 mk2 is the culmination of over 40 years experience designing Class A circuitry within the Audio Recording Industry.The DRS-8 mk2 is based on the first Phoenix unit the DRS2, this bespoke product was launched by Phoenix Audio in November 1999, and has enjoyed an almost “cult” following ever since. The Class A output stage (TF1) was originally designed by David Rees, the designer of the famous Neve 2253 Limiter and 2254 Limiter/compressor (amongst many other designs), as a retrofit for Neve modules, and the TF1 has now been superseded by the DSOP2 output stage.The Class A, discrete, truly balanced, transformerless microphone input stage was designed to out-perform any transformer input for frequency response, yet has all the characteristics expected in a high quality Class A design.
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
- 8 Channel 2U – 19” Rack-mount unit: With 240V/110V mains voltage input selector switch Inputs
- Connections: Combo XLR/1/4” XLR sockets on Rear Panel for Mic inputs & line inputs and switched jacks for DI inputs
- Output connections: XLR’s on rear panel
- Additional outputs: 25 pin “D” style connector on the rear panel (wired “Tascam” Standard)
- Gain Range (Mic input): -30 to -70 in 5dB steps With 10dB more available on the fader.
- Gain Meter: LED Metering. 5 LED Meter on each channel (with hysteresis)
- Phantom Power: Switchable 48V phantom on Push-button switch
- High Pass Filter: on Push-button Switch (Roll-off -6dB per octave @ 80Hz)
- Phase Reverse: on Push-button Switch
- Mute: On Push-button switch.
- Pad Push-button switch: Enables Flexibility for input levels, pad is set at 15db.
- Detented output control for recall, 21 positions.
- Phoenix Audio’s unique Class A, transformerless, True balanced Mic input stage.
- Transformer-balanced Output on each channel: Driven by the Phoenix Audio Class A DSOP-2 fully discrete output stage, each transformer is custom wound.
- Class A (DSOP-2) Output specs . Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz +- 0.5dB, Maximum
- Output = +26dBu @ 1kHz, Noise = -90dB @ 20Hz to 20kHz.
- Frequency Response Mic Input Stage: -0.4dB @ 40Hz, -0.3dB @ 25kHz
- All units are wired with PTFE silver military grade cable
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