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Retro Instruments 500PRE - Used  From Retro

500-Series Preamp designed this the same depth and detail as the Retro Instruments Sta-Level! In Used, Excellent Condition

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Retro Instruments Inc.

$725.00

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What We Think

In Used, Excellent Condition

Manufacturer's Description from Retro

We took the circuit topology of the Sta-Level and packed it into a single width 500 module. The 500PRE three tube gain stage exhibits the same detail and depth. As with all Retro products, the feeling of the musical performance is delivered with the Retro Instruments 500PRE. Distortion, Noise and Frequency Response of the 500PRE are outstanding; but overload characteristics are not generally revealed by standard measurements. The 500PRE tubes gracefully limit the signal at +18 dBu. Whether you’re just going for clean gain or pushing the 500PRE into overdrive, it won’t ever sound plastic and brittle like solid-state amplifiers can. Transient detail is unrestrained.

 

The Retro 500PRE doesn’t sleep when you’re done tracking. Use the 500PRE as a high-energy limiter during mix-time. The 500PRE design purposely has the limiter effect of tube amplifiers. You’ll love to use it as a limiter to fatten all kinds of tracks.

The Retro 500PRE works within API 500 rack power limitations. Each 500PRE consumes 160 ma of power, slightly above the 130 ma VPR-compliant allocation. We recommend racks with quiet linear power supplies like the API models. When power requirements are observed, the rack and 500PRE will provide years of reliable service.

 

The Retro 500PRE uses three 12AT7 tubes that are readily available as new production or new-old-stock. A user can select from a wide variety. Your unit uses the new production TAD 12AT7 and these tubes are expected to last for a very long time under the 500PRE operating conditions. We use soft-start circuitry that minimizes stress to the tubes and power supply. The 500PRE takes less than a minute to warm up and perform.

Retro Instruments Inc.

About Manufacturer

Retro Instruments was founded by Phil Moore in 2006 to re-introduce classic-quality tube audio products to the professional recording industry. The initial product brought to market was a re-creation of the classic Gates Sta-Level, re-designed by Phil simply because it was his favorite piece of gear and he wanted to recreate it for the modern market. Over the years, Retro has evolved into a company with a diverse and extensive portfolio including re-imagined vintage products that are used by award-winning recording professionals around the world.

Specifications

Front Panel Controls: Input Level, Gain Select (two or three stage amplifier), Phantom Power, Polarity, and Output Level.

Input and Output Connections: On edge card connector for 500 rack XLR.

Gain: 48 dB (low gain two stage topology) 76 dB (high gain three stage topology)

Total Harmonic Distortion: <.05% at +4 dBu output from 20-20000 Hz.

Frequency Response: +/- .25 dB from 20-20000 Hz

EIN: -128 dB (150 Ohm terminated)

Typical Output Level: +4 dBu

Output Clipping Level: Tube limiting Threshold +18 dBu, +24 dBu clipping headroom.

Input Level Range: -72 dBu to +12 dBu

Input impedance: >1000 Ohms from 20-20000 Hz.

Output Impedance: 600 Ohms Transformer Balanced.

Power Consumption: +/-16 Volts 155 ma. 48 Volts 3 ma.

Weight: 2 lbs 7 oz.