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This article was originally published in a previous issue of Playback Magazine. Subscribe to Playback for free to stay up to date with our latest articles, interviews, product reviews, and more.
Some pieces of gear earn their reputation through decades of hit records, but others fly under the radar, waiting for the right engineer to put them to work. In this edition of Hidden Gems, we’re showcasing a handful of tube preamps that deserve some more time in the limelight. From faithful recreations of vintage classics to innovative new designs, each of these preamps brings its own unique flavor to the table.
The legendary REDD.47 preamp has earned holy grail status for its punchy, aggressive sound on countless Abbey Road recordings. Chandler Limited released a must-have recreation in 2014 and is now taking it a step further with a new Special Edition model. This unit incorporates genuine NOS and vintage components from the '60s and '70s, including coveted Mullard "Tropical Fish" capacitors and Piher resistors.
Speaking of treasured British consoles, the M808A delivers that same elusive vintage magic in a fresh, modern package. Available in single- and double-channel versions, this Class A preamp features hand-wound transformers, a versatile Pentode/Triode switch for dialing in a wide range of tones, and custom Bakelite VU meters for an old-school look and feel.
Listen to sound samples of the Mystery Magicians M808A on our blog!
The Hazelrigg Industries DVA brings the boutique tone of the VLC and D.W. Fearn VT-2 to your 500 Series rack. Outfitted with a 6072A vacuum tube and transformers on both the input and output stages, the DVA delivers the same depth, warmth, and musicality that define its larger 19-inch rackmount brethren.
Listen to sound samples of the Hazelrigg Industries DVA on our blog!
The vintage-inspired 500PRE combines the same circuitry as the legendary Sta-Level compressor with three 12AT7 tubes for thick, rich analog tone. Retro Instruments’ unique dual-gain design lets you dial in everything from pristine clarity to warm, crunchy tube character.
More than just a mic pre, the Manley Labs VOXBOX provides everything you need to craft the perfect vocal chain. This all-tube design pairs the brand’s acclaimed Class A mono microphone preamp with a versatile optical compressor, an intuitive de-esser/limiter, and an enhanced Pultec-style EQ, all brought together with premium Manley transformers.
Learn more about preamps on our blog:
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