Roll Music RMS5A7 Tubule Tube Microphone Preamplifier Details
Roll Music Systems Inc introduces new RMS5A7 tube microphone preamplifier, or "Tubule", in 500-series modular format. Roll Music Systems, manufacturer of the popular RMS216 Folcrom passive summing device and the acclaimed RMS755 Super Stereo compressor, is now a powerful new force in the world of 500-series preamplifiers with it's introduction of the Tubule.
With the explosion of new modular products for the 500-series frames sold by various manufacturers, user requests for a tube-based module have been met almost universally with claims by designers and engineers that it couldn't be done. Roll Music Systems has proven it can be done, and be done well.
The Tubule is a real transformer-coupled tube mike preamp, getting all its amplification from a standard dual triode tube. It uses sophisticated modern power management circuitry to generate the high-voltage plate supply and the high-current heater supply to power the tube. Careful design of this high-efficiency power management circuitry has allowed for a preamp that fits within the space and power consumption limitations of a single module.
The Tubule features switches for -20dB input pad, polarity inversion, and phantom power, a 12-position gain control switch that ranges from 33 to 66dB in 3dB steps, and a continuously-variable input attenuator that ranges from 0 to -10dB for very accurate gain settings that can be easily recalled.
Roll Music RMS5A7 Tubule Specifications
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Equivalent Input Noise (66dB gain, 150Ù source) -121dBu
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Input Impedance 1200Ù
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Recommended Source Impedance 150Ù
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Maximum Input Level +22dBu rms
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Maximum Output Level +25dBu rms
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Output Impedance <300Ù balanced
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Recommended Load Impedance >10kÙ balanced
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Gain Range 3dB steps, 33-66dB
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Input Attenuator Variable, -10 to 0dB
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Input Pad Switchable, -20dB
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Frequency Response +/-1dB, 10Hz-50kHz
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Power Requirements
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optional for optimal headroom
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Vacuum Tube 12DW7 / ECC832 / 7247
What We Think - Roll Music RMS5A7 Tubule Review
"The Tubule is an absolute killer! Seriously, it's a fantastic preamp that sounds like you think that it ought to... but also sounds like you wouldn't expect, at the same time. The Tubule exhibits a very smooth tube character that also knows how to load a transformer in a way that is right in line with some of the best solid-state preamps. It's really a beautiful contradiction in the world of tube pre-amps - it sounds big, but tight. The fact that Roll Music only has three products on the market, comforts me in that they commit a lot of attention to the quality of their wares. The build quality of the Tubule is super-solid and the potentiometers feel great. All in all, don't discount the Tubule when shopping for preamps, because once you have a pair, you just might find that you are reaching for them constantly."
Alan Moon - Front End Audio
