Phoenix Audio – Ascent 500 (Mic Preamp)
$1,549.00
Versatile, modern Class-A 500 Series mic preamp that delivers a wide range of tones, from ultra-clean to warm, saturated sounds. Its advanced design preserves the classic Class-A vibe, making it a top choice for engineers seeking superior sound and flexibility in their recordings.
Phoenix Audio – Ascent 500 (Mic Preamp)
OVERVIEW
The Phoenix Audio Ascent 500 Mic Preamp is a Versatile, Modern Class-A Mic Preamp taking 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 Ascent 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 Ascent Pre-amp top-tier choice for engineers around the world and a modern day classic.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Hi-Fi Transformerless Mic Input Stage Â
The 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 providing the full, warm, and smooth characteristics that engineers love about Class-A mic preamps. Boldly outperforming transformer-based designs in both 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 dynamic mics that often need specialist mic preamps; the Shure SM7B particularly shines.
Legendary Transformer-Balanced Output Stage Â
The custom-wound DB694 output transformer is coupled to Phoenix’s proprietary, fully discrete DSOP-2 output amplifier. The DSOP-2 is a direct descendant of the venerable TF1 amp, which Phoenix Audio designers Shaun Leveque and David Rees originally developed as an upgrade for vintage Neve modules. Going beyond the TF1, the DSOP2 is the pinnacle of Class-A output circuit design, offering a smooth transition from ultra-clean to beautifully saturated tones.
Easy and Intuitive in the Studio Â
Because you’re working with a clean, robust, electronically-balanced input signal, the Ascent Mic Preamp makes dialing in your exact sound easy, intuitive, and quick. By working the familiar stepped input gain control (up to 70dB alone) and the -15dB 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 at any given moment. Like many other engineers, you’ll find yourself reaching for the Ascent Mic Preamp/DI repeatedly to reliably deliver a vast array of outstanding sounds for any instrument or voice you’re recording.
Vari-Filter Control Â
A powerful variable high-pass filter from 45Hz to 250Hz allows you to control and shape tones of all types.
Vocal Shaping Equalizer Â
Uniquely designed vocal shaping equalizer effects benefit the vocalist with powerful equalizer controls, including the classic Sheen control perfected for vocal recording with a huge gain range that always sounds musical and never harsh.
FEATURES
- 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 -15dB input pad
- LED Gain Metering
- Push buttons: Hi-Pass, 48v, Phase Reverse, Switchable 48V phantom power on push-button switch
- Vocal shaping EQ, 16db of +/- gain control on selectable frequency switch : 10K, 15K & Sheen (25K)
- Variable High Pass Filter on Push-button Switch (Roll-off -6dB per octave @ 45 to 250Hz)
- Phase Reverse on Push-Button Switch
- Mic Pre Gain Range: -30 to -70 in 5dB steps With 10dB more available on the output 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 limitations of running at 16v which is the standard Lunchbox voltage.
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