Wunder Audio PEQ1R Microphone Preamp/EQ #114 (Used)

The Wunder Audio PEQ1R is a fully Class A discrete 1970s-style microphone preamp/equalizer. The design employs proprietary, custom-designed mic, line, and output transformers in a 1U rack enclosure. Compared to a 1073, the PEQ1 has more equalizing power with better lows and more presence in the mids and highs for a sound that lifts the veil off your input signal. The reason for this is simple: the PEQ1 has eight Class A gain stages where the 1073 has four. The extra gain yields more Class A headroom resulting in a wider pure path audio.

The only way to explain the sound is that is it like a 1073 with a deeper low end and more depth overall in the mids and highs without that phasey boxy sound. The 3 dB roll-off points are 8.7 Hz on the low and 118 kHz on the top end. The EQ is reminiscent of a powerful Pultec, but with more frequencies. The drum sounds you can dial up are invincible, and nothing can make the vocals stand out in a mix like the PEQ1.

There are twice as many amplifier stages in the PEQ1, which provides 60 dB line in gain compared with the 1073's 30 dB! This gives you more sonic headroom. The 60 dB of line in gain also allows for a wide range of instrument/line levels. You can plug a bass guitar, guitar or keyboards directly into the Line Input for a huge, better than any direct box sound. One can also use the Line input as a totally separate microphone input utilizing the large Line transformer. With 42 dB of gain, the Line input stage works great as a second mic pre!

All the Gain and EQ switches used on the PEQ1 series are custom-made by Elma, designed at their factory in Switzerland. The custom-made (long shaft) potentiometers are Vishay audio-grade made with conductive plastic for a long life (one million cycles). You can't beat this switch/pot combination. The EQ and Phase switches are by Isostat, giving a vintage touch. The PEQ1R uses C&K toggle switches. Sprague "Orange Drop" capacitors were the obvious choice for the equalizer circuit. Finally Panasonic FC 105C electrolytic capacitors are incorporated.

Vintage-style, rare polystyrene foil capacitors are used throughout. High-current metal can, not plastic, BC107B and BC109C transistors imported from the UK are used throughout the amplifier stages. These metal transistors are better than their plastic counterparts when used in an audio circuit. A single circuit board offers a vast sonic improvement over 5 separate boards found in a 1073 eliminating the use of multiple edge-board connectors and redundant wiring.

The hook-up wire is also imported from the UK and is hand assembled to "Military Spec". The enclosures are CAD designed to 1/1000" tolerance and are bright-nickel plated with PEM nut hardware throughout for solid construction. Finally, Wunder CNC mill the custom-designed anodized aluminum knob-set which gives the module character. The boost and cut knobs are solid brass with shiny nickel plating. The knob markers are white plastic dowels embedded in the knob so the white mark will never wear off.